Taking the Plunge

Marina Park in Kirkland before the annual polar bear plunge.

Today I immersed my body into the frigid waters of Lake Washington. I joined a good-sized crowd of people who decided to start 2019 with the same thing in mind - a polar bear plunge.

I have an idea about what you might be thinking.

A polar bear plunge is an activity that kind of doesn't make sense. Admittedly I've watched videos of people who have done it and I always thought to myself "those people are crazy!" And now I'm among their ranks.

It's often said that how you start the new year sets the tone for the following days and months. In that spirit I chose to plunge into cold water because it's completely out of my element. It's something I'd never thought I would do. This year I plan to push myself out of my comfort zone and challenge myself more. 

Pre-plunge

Rather than eat collard greens and black-eyed peas today I joined my sister-in-law Ginny and a couple of her friends at Marina Park in Kirkland for the yearly ritual. On the drive down to the waterfront I purposefully didn’t turn on the heat in my car. It was an effort to not get too warm so the 50° water would be easier to handle.

I have no idea what Ginny and I were laughing about.

About ten minutes before it was time for us to wade into Lake Washington the crowd grew in size and a person dressed in a polar bear costume pulled up in a boat. A fitting way to begin the event which is in its 17^th year.

Pretty quickly it was go time. I completed a half marathon a few years ago, surely my body can tolerate 50° water right? Never underestimate the power of positive thinking folks.

Just as quickly as my journey began it was over. Once I was about waist deep in my body went into shock. It's hard to explain what that feels like. It was like everything momentarily shutdown. It's safe to say a look of panic spread across my face but I keep moving until it was chest high. It was hard to maintain my footing since the lake floor was covered in slimy rocks. With a little help from Ginny I was back on the shore.

Freezing.

It was exhilarating experience.

As I toweled myself dry my body began to warm up.

I know how I’ll be ringing in 2020.

Post plunge.

“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” -Jim Rohn