The air was cold on this dreary Wednesday in normally sunny and warm Florida. Every day had been tolerable or comfortable to make my goal this year — 4 miles or 10,000 steps, whichever is greater. Today however is a challenge.

I awoke, tired and sore. The bed was a cozy and comfortable warm hug. Cocooned in the comforter, I could have slept more, but the need to work forced me finally out of bed. No early miles today.

The morning flew in a flurry of needs from my job. Make this schedule, follow up on that, walk through a problem here, solve that there. Finally lunch came. My fellow came out and offered to make lunch, and afterward, coaxed me into a loop to get in my first mile. I donned my father’s fleece jacket, a navy jacket with an emblem from the Smokies, which my Mom had found a few years ago. It is a warm reminder of him after his being gone for 15 years.

Back to work and the day dragged on with the drudgery of more work, more problems to solve, more things to accomplish. Finally I wrapped up my day and donned my shoes for some more steps.

Pains invaded my hip and foot as I tried to get moving. The cold air penetrated to my bones. Make it through the first mile, that will warm me up, then the rest is easy, I told myself, but my limp worsened with each step.

As I rounded the first half mile for this journey, the wind turned stronger and the sky began dropping a fine mist on my head. I turned and headed back home. Fifty percent of the way…

Six hours to go, maybe I’ll get the motivation to finish this after dinner. Hopefully the pain subsides and the rain lifts so I can meet the challenge of this goal. Not giving up!

UPDATE! Today’s goal met! Pushed through the funk in the cold, but the drizzle had stopped.