The Polar Plunge!

Saturday afternoon I met up with my best friend from high school, Carrie, for the Polar Plunge at Forest Lake.  Carrie works at the Como Zoo where they are raising money for the new polar bear exhibit. 

Signing up for the plunge a month early was the greatest benefit because I began to feel the adrenaline rush the moment it became official!  On the day of the jump we doned our bright polar plunge shirts and polar bear hat and paws.  Somehow Carried and I ended up at the front of the line and there we stood at the water's edge staring into the dark hole cut from the ice.  We grabbed each other's paw, counted to three and leaped!  The water was shallower than I thought, so our heads didn't go under.  I wasn't going to jump in the lake halfway, so I dunked myself back under.  The first three seconds of the jump were filled with adrenaline which overshadowed my senses.  By the time I dunked my head under, the adrenaline was not enough to stave off the pain that riddled my scalp.  It was so cold I felt like I didn't have any hair and someone was sticking knives into my skull.  We scampered out and headed for the hot tubs.  The sensation from freezing water to the hot tub was almost as awesome as jumping into the lake.  After warming up, I was surprised to find how long I could stand outside soak and wet without feeling cold.  Like I had heard so many other people say, it wasn't that bad.  I would do it again tomorrow if I could because the physical feeling is a little better than riding a roller coaster, but I guess I will have to wait until next year... or until I find another crazy idea.