http://vimeo.com/2702078 — The password is polar.

Here’s a post I started wayyy earlier this year and just couldn’t find the words to fully express how shocking and invigorating and terrifying doing a polar plunge is.

Chicago, known for its soul-sucking weather, has a large lake with Titanic-sinking glaciers and killer winds that stab like ice picks. So…I decided that I must swim in it. On New Years Day 2009.

My weather widget read “Feels like 19.” The polar bear websites predicted 33 degree water.

I thought long and hard about doing this. I tried not to think about it at all. When I heard about it, I felt compelled to definitely do it. I announced it at work still a little unsure if I could do it. Even the night before, New Years night, the fear and doubt were creeping in. Will I have a heart attack? Puke? Get pneumonia or frostbite?

I managed to convince my work buddy Adam to do it too. Although my girlfriend was really concerned, I ate my usual PB and string cheese breakfast and started stuffing a duffel bag with towels and tons of clothes. I sipped a little coffee to “accelerate your heartrate, it might help.” Thanks doctor in residence friend.

So I did it. Once my clothes were off and I was running into the freezing water, the whole world got really quiet. Did I mention that I have always hated swimming in cold water? I’m always the last one in the pool. The one dipping toes in for half an hour before getting in. I lost my old black frame glasses in the lake. I forgot to take them off. Once I stripped down, I couldn’t be bothered with the details. It was just me vs. the lake.

In the weeks after my big swim, I’d remind myself “It’s not that cold today, I swam in the lake.” But that comparison doesn’t really hold up. When I emerged from full submersion (This is the rule. Crowds of onlookers will boo if you don’t get you head under.), I was heaving, unable to catch my breath and so afraid I’d pass out and no one would see me. I practically ran on the water to get back to the jagged icy shore. Standing soaking wet in the wind on the shore felt like summer compared to being in the water.

It was awesome, and I’m glad I did it. I really don’t know if I ever want to do it again, but I proudly shared this video at our Monday Morning Work meeting and boasted that this was our new office tradition. Kicking the year off in such an extreme way. It feels pretty good.