We arrived a little over an hour early and registered. I was wearing my five fingers from home so after about ten minutes my feet were absolutely frozen. No matter where we went my feet just kept getting colder and colder. Even going inside didn't seem to help. After about 20 minutes or so I saw my coach. I knew he was doing the plunge because he sent out an email to everyone on the team, but with the 1000 or so plungers and the spectators I didn't actually expect to see him.
With 15 minutes left my mom and Sean left me in the plunger tent and went to find some spectator spots. I found the heater for the tent, a 2ft wide tube that was connected to a large outdoor heater, and planted my feet firmly in front of it. They sung the national anthem and brought the special Olympians to the stage. I was right near the exit of the tent so I was one of the first people to exit.
All I had on was my Naval Academy under armor shirt, Vibrums, and a bathing suit. As we exited I could hear the crowd to start to roar with excitement. The police department had narrowed a section on the beach with large snow piles on either side to direct everyone. I didn't realize how close to the water i was until I was about to step in. I ran in to about 3 feet deep and the shock hit my feet. I was in pain. I looked around at everyone who was falling over, pushing, crying, and screaming. I took a deep breath, there was a pause, and I stuck my whole body under water.
I resurfaced and immediately ran back the way I came. The police wee directing people over to the right into another lane to head back into the building we came from. I had to stay in the water for about 10m to complete my giant U turn. As soon as I got out I stopped and smiled. I had done it. It didn't even seem that cold out of the water. They handed out towels and I immediately covered my head and dried my hair.
Once I got back to the front of the building I met my mom and Sean. I had done exactly what I had set out to. I knew going into this that It would really be a test of who I am. If I could t do it it would be a big reality check towards my goal of becoming a SEAL. I am so glad that I finished it and I can't wait to do it again next year.
Thank you to those who sponsored me. Together we earned $325 for the NYS Special Olympics.
HOOYAH!
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