I'm Complaining Already

I know it's called "Challenge" for a reason but this mile business has already gotten to the point where I have to give myself a pep talk to get out the door.

The weather here in Cleveland (and I think where most of the participants are) has been pretty uncooperative. I've done a mile each day so far (ooh, a whole four days!) but none of those days have been enjoyable. It's been cold, windy, snowy and slippery. And it looks like there is no change in that scenario coming anytime soon:

Cleveland's Extended Forecast

Seriously, Mother Nature?  I know it's Cleveland and I should expect this. And I also know that technology allows for indoor running but I'm trying to stick to the challenge parameters I set for myself which is a mile a day outside style.  No wimping out for me.  Not in 2010.

That said, Mother Nature -- a slight break here and there wouldn't hurt.

It's Gonna Be A Long Cold Winter

I went to see the Steelers/Browns game last night and if this is the way winter is going to be, I'm a little nervous about getting the miles in. It was cold. It dropped down to 15 degrees. Unpleasant. Oh, and let's not forget the gusts of wind getting into the 40MPH range making the temperature feel like -5 degrees. Brutal.

Somehow the players are out on the field and standing on the sidelines with exposed arms but me in the stands?  No way.  Listing of my layers, top to bottom I wore two hats, a long underwear top, a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, a zip up fleece, a jacket, gloves and mittens with handwarmers in each, boxers, long underwear bottoms, jeans, my snowboarding pants, two pairs of socks, boots. I still was cold. So was beer.  Beers purchased became beer slushies.  No joke.

How is one supposed to run in that sort of business? Even a mile.  Clearly I won't make it a point to run at 9pm during the winter, but quite honestly the daylight hours weren't much better. We didn't even hit 20 degrees.

I guess my point is ... well, I'm not sure what it is really. I suppose I'm going to have to toughen up. Or move somewhere warmer.