Crummy weather challenge

How about awarding points based off of degrees below average temperature?  The mean daily temperature for my area today is 37 degrees  http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/55024

If it happened to be 27 degrees out (which it's not, it's actually 59 degrees out today), I would get 10 points times the duration I was outside working out, let's say 1 hour.  My points for the day would be 10.  Since the weather is warmer than average today, if I worked out 1 hour outside, I would only get 1 point.  That way there would be motivation to get out there on the 'colder' days.  Just an idea...  Would definitely depend on the honor system...

I love the concept but fear that it would make me lean toward running too much and unbalance my training.  I LOVE running outside in the cold/wind/rain/snow.  I already have a hard enough time making myself swim and get on the bike.  In northern climes it is a lot harder to ride outside when the temp is 20 below avg than it is in southern climes under the same circumstances.

But this is a good idea and I love the points as rated against avg temperature idea.

autumn - 2006-11-08 7:35 PM i'm in. when do we start? how do we log our stuff? maybe each week we log our run (or bike ride), the distance or time, and the temp? maybe time is a better measure. doesn't matter how fast or slow you are...45 mins in -45 would be worth x points.

Thats a good point with the time.  Maybe that or certain time increments act as a multiplier or something?

My current cutoff is -5 generally but that will likely change this winter.  People can base it relative to their current comfort levels.  I used to say there is no way sub 20 I am going out running.  If we help folks pop through those walls, its done the trick.

This sounds like a great challenge!  I'm going to be working mostly on running this winter, and outside beats the treadmill hands down.

Of course, it's easy for me to join the crummy weather challenge when it's sunny and 65 degrees outside

Count me in once the system is set! 

Check out my new avatar for the crummy weather challenge

this was right after my 6.2 mile run this morning.

You know I'm in....

(moreycold.JPG)

Yeah, eff it.  I'm in.  I'll just have to fight the temptation to run all the time.  I can't claim to be a King of Shat Weather and not be in this challenge.

Bring it on Old Man Winter, we're gonna kick your frozen a$$.

I'm in.  Still not clear on how this challenge works.

Are we talking about all workouts this winter?  Will inside workouts count against you? 

Or are we just putting up our #1 all time worst weather workout this winter.  Kind of like a "can you top this" workout.

You know, I'm all for whatever method anyone wants to settle on, but here's what I'm really looking forward too.  Just a celebration of those of us who WANT to train in this garbage instead of just complaining about it.  Talking with others who enjoy the beauty of a clear night after the snow has stopped and the moon is bright.  Who love the fury of the battle with the howling wind that makes your eyes water and then freeze to your face.  The crunch of the snow under your shoes.  Tell the tales, show the pictures.  Let's see the celebration of training in winter!

I've given this some thought, and I think what's making this bog down a bit is the desire to please everyone. 

Get your flamethrowers ready. 

I'm all about inclusion, but perhaps this is a challenge that doesn't work for southern BTers.  We go with something like Sparco mentioned.  A line in the sand at 32 degrees.  Points awarded for minutes out in the shat weather below 32.  Perhaps below 40 for biking, or double points for rain/wind/snow?  And biking in the cold is abso-effen-lutely tougher than running in 30 degree weather.

And, of course, an active thread with pictures of curled up fingers and frosted balacava's doesn't hurt either.  Perhaps extra points for "nasty picture of the week" or something like that.

OK, sorry mid-southern BTers...I'm just throwing out ideas.  Not trying to be exclusionary, but seriosuly, how hard is it to train at 30-50 degrees?  Most posters to this thread know the mental battle to have to layer extensively just to walk out the door...that's what this challenge would help with, hopefully.

Or, in response to Rick's post, and if demand from all areas is there, we create regions.  So, Rick, based on current thread participation, you would already be crowned mid-atlantic champion!  Just kidding, but see my point? 

Rick is right on the money with the rain/snow/wind/etc.  I'm almost thinking along the lines of K.I.S.S that it just goes by temperature?  Everything else is somewhat subjective.  I know there's some flaws (this AM it was 41 and a biting wind...way less comfortable than runs I've done at 25 and calm).  But, what'r'we gonna do.  If we like the concept, we've gotta figure out an easy way.

Again, not arguing, no ego involved if it's decided to go in a different direction.  I'm just trying to keep the ideas moving as I like the concept.

As stated before, I think the intent should be in breaking one's own mental barriers of what is too cold or whatever.  If running in 40 is fine for a southerner, then it would hardly be worth participating cuz there is no incentive to stay on the couch.  I think this would be a fun way to stare those cr@ppy days in the winter in the face and know that BT's got your back.  Its should be about personal ground breaking, not who's the biggest bad azz (though that will probably happen as well)

Just putting notches in the belt for the ones outdoors is all, no negative points for working out inside.  Maybe we can give folks the weekly crown of worst workout of the week or something.