My 40th Year on Earth: The Plunge

A few weeks ago, I shared my plans to boldly enter my 40th year on Earth. I define "boldness" in this statement as those things that make me move outside of the comfort zone I've created for myself in my little life with my enormous cat. (I get it, Dr. Vet, he's fat. You try getting a shelter cat to love you without the aid of shrimp flavored snacks.) I've identified twelve things I plan to this year that range on a scale of terrifying to fun stuff that I've always wanted to do, but don't ever plan to do so I'm doing them. It's a great list. I encourage everyone to do something similar this year. I'll be your list cheerleader if you need one.

I listen to the JSS Morning Show on 98 Rock, a rock station out of Baltimore. The show is the right balance of comedy, news, music, sports, and weirdness to get my day going. Since my commute is much longer now, I get to listen from the six am hour sports through just after the seven am news, depending on traffic. Usually in December, the guys start talking about the upcoming Polar Bear Plunge event they're part of in Maryland. When they started talking about it this past December, I knew I was planning my list, but hadn't quite figured out what all the events/things were going to be. The guys talked about their experience at past plunges, and it clicked in my head. I should find a plunge event near me. It combines my love of participating in random things and giving back to my community/being a good citizen. It just so happens a new plunge event would be taking place this year in the Mosaic District in Fairfax, sponsored by Plunge Virginia. I had found my event.

Plunge Virginia sponsors multiple events in January and February to support Special Olympics Virginia. Money raised at the events helps the organization provide training and other support throughout the year, and helps support sending athletes to the World Games (this year in Abu Dhabi). Virginia has seven athletes going to the World Games this year. I've donated to Special Olympics before, but never done any fundraising for the group. I know a few people who work or volunteer for the organization, too.

The Mosaic event was sponsored by the Fairfax County Police Department, and has the distinction of being Plunge Virginia's first pool plunge. I'm glad I picked a pool plunge for my first event; I'm not sure I would have actually gone through with running in and out of open water. This was the perfect event for me because it was small enough that it didn't take forever to actually jump into the water, but there were enough other people plunging that I wasn't singled out in any way. Eighty people took part in the event, mostly from the Fairfax County Police and a few of the other sponsoring groups.

The pool was set up near some shops on the far end of Mosaic. It was one of those temporary above ground pools, smaller than the ones I remember from childhood, but big enough for an adult to jump into. I'm on the short side so the water came just to my waist as I was getting out of the pool. For the much taller people who jumped, it was barely at mid-thigh. County Fire and Rescue crews were on hand, including divers, who were in the water as we jumped. It was comforting to have them there. I jumped in the first group of 10-15 people; I made sure I was as close to the front of the line as I could be. The random DJ from a station I don't listened to called my name and I jumped in. It was cold, but not so cold that I couldn't get myself together to get out of the pool. I found Anita and Scott who had my towel and dry clothes, and raced over to the changing tent. By the time I jumped, got out, and changed, the event was over and the costume contest winners were being announced.

I'm the kind of person who enjoys roller coasters, but also says something like "this was a very poor life choice" right before the first drop. I feel the exact same way about doing the Polar Bear Plunge. The idea of it is appealing; it's for a good cause, it's over in about a minute, people are there to cheer me on. But like the roller coaster, I had a moment went I said to myself, right before I walked up the stairs, "this is a horrible idea, you shouldn't do this." But I did it, and I'd do it again. It was invigorating and fun, and helps a great organization. I plan to do it again next year, and maybe get a team together so it's not me plunging by myself. It's more fun if others make terrible/wonderful life choices with me!

Thanks to everyone who donated to my fundraising goal; I hit my $500 goal the day of the plunge. If you're interested in donating to Special Olympics Virginia, you can donate on my page or the main Special Olympics VA page. A special thanks to Scott and Anita, my photographers, cheerleaders, and towel/clothes holders - you're the best!

Next month: It's February, so it's the return of "Stuff I Love" month! This month we'll explore axe-throwing, being in a Mardi Gras parade, more on glitter, and the parts of Valentine's Day I can truly support (hint: it involves chocolate). We also get to celebrate the 400th Island post! It's going to be a great month!

Photos by me and Anita
Video by Scott