Your Workouts for Thursday, November 28

Workout #1: Crazy Polar Bear Bippy-Freezing!
Type: Other
Description: Have fun, crazy lady!
Pre-Activity Comments: WOW! That was cold!

The 34th Annual Thanksgiving swim. I’m not sure why the tradition began.  The swim takes place at Duxbury Beach in Massachusetts (New England cold). Our swim location is a stone’s throw from where the pilgrims set ground, before being able to make their way into Plymouth harbor.  I’m sure some of the pilgrims fell in the water and got cold. So possibly we’re re-enacting?  This is doubtful.  It’s certainly the result of mixing beer and otherwise clear thinking 35 years ago.

The 2013 swim was one of the coldest.  Many years the air and water are actually warm enough for people to run in 2 or 3 times.  We have scads of photos through the years of people hanging out on the beach afterward and socializing. (One of my favorites is of my dad, in his bathing suit, talking to my grandmother in her big, warm winter coat.)

Why swim? It’s impossible to make this seem like a wise choice, but there is something wonderful about a group of people rallying early on Thanksgiving morning to spend time together.  There’s something special about hanging out with a gang of all ages (from 8 to 70 this year) that counts to three then runs into the freezing ocean roaring like polar bears. It’s not for everyone, but it works for me.

Workout #2: Happy Thanksgiving!
Type: Other
Description: Thank you for being an awesome, inspiring athlete and thank you so much for giving me the honor of coaching you!

Workout #3: Gratitude, Play with Family
Type: Other
Description: Play, play, play, play. Love life!
Pre-Activity Comments: Mission complete.  A wonderful holiday and many, many reasons to be grateful.  Happy Thanksgiving 2103.