Polar Plunge

Wanted to put up some fun pictures of the Polar Plunge that Paul, Emily, and I did with my Cleveland Tri Club. 

It was at noon on January 1st - Lake Erie

Water Temp was 36

Air Temp was 22 with 13 degree wind chill

AND lots of snow.

Walking in - Note Water Temp

 

Em & I before the plunge

Right before the plunge, they called 90 seconds

 

Running into water - P is in bottom right (tattoos give him away)

 

Brrr, running out on the snow covered sand

 

After Plunge -I got dressed quickly

What a great way to bring in the New Year's! 

And the times they are a changin'

Updated the look of my blog today, it was about time.  Had fun making the header and am thinking I could change that more often now that I know how.

The picture of me is from our August two week hiking trip to New Hampshire this year.  I am hiking down the Tuckerman's Ravine trail off of Mt. Washington. 

For me mountains are a metaphor for my life. 

1. An ascent that at first looks smooth turns out to have unseen dips and ridges and valleys.
2. The higher you climb, the thicker the weeds, the harder it is to breathe.
3. You need a clear vision of where you're going if you want to avoid getting disoriented by the clouds that roll in and block your view.
4. You have to be determined to make it to the top. Otherwise every slip, stumble, and fall will give you an excuse to turn around and head home.

Updates

Our computer has died; it has been a long slow drawn out death. For weeks it has made horrid sounds as it tried to keep going, but alas it's end has come. Basically that means that I am updating these blogs at work-shhh.

I have been doing really well lately; the runs are starting, albeit slowly (I am up to 2 mi-whohoo). A far cry from my marathon training a long two months ago. I ran Saturday with the plans to run Sunday but the rain and cold and just general fatigue kept me lazy yesterday. My plans are to get to the NYE 5K (it is tradition) and then to work up to the Fool's 25K trail run (I really liked this on last year). Depending on how that training goes, I might sign up for the Rev3 Half Ironman, but I want to play it by ear. Originally that was going to be my plan, but hey life changes and I am on for the ride.

I am getting excited about the holidays, not only do I have 9 days off in a row but I am getting to spend (and get) some real holiday love with the family. I think this holiday (and everyone after this) will be just that much more wonderful because I am not taking anything for granted now. I am hoping for a white Christmas (enter song here), so that I can do some of this (oh how I love snow).
Happy Holidays to everyone!