I can’t believe I’m doing this
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sneed…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is the first mayor in recent Chicago history to take the Polar Plunge on behalf of the Special Olympics Chicago athletes — but Sneed hears only one candidate running for governor has chosen to dip his toes in the freezing water at North Avenue Beach on March 2.
The brave GOPer is gubernatorial hopeful Bill Brady!
◆ To wit: Neither Gov. Pat Quinn nor gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, the motorcycling man’s man, have signed up for the frozen follies.
* From Jimmy Fallon’s Twitter feed…
Chicago - I’m wearing a suit and tie for the #PolarPlunge. Show solidarity by wearing a necktie. (I’m not telling you what else to wear.)
I’m also signed up for this. I pledged to do it in a weak moment as I was trying to raise money for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. The weather forecast looks really bad. I hope I don’t die.
* I checked the website today and decided to create a page where subscribers, commenters and readers could all contribute.
So, click here to make your donation today!
Many thanks in advance.
- DaveW - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:13 pm:
Rich, I tried this ONCE! Make sure to take flip-flops, or your feet will be icicles before you even get in the water. It actually wasn’t that bad.
- Joseph Knecht - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:16 pm:
I look at a like a marathon, its ok not to do it, or just put your toe in, your sponsors won’t feel let down.
Call your Dr. and ask if its a good idea.
Not just you, but Rahm, Brady, Jimmy Fallon and everyone else.
I’m all for special olympics, but this event should altered to something a little less dangerous.
- Amuzing Myself - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:16 pm:
You’re all crazy.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:19 pm:
And here I was thinking I was the s*** for agreeing to stand outside Soldier Field for a few hours this Saturday to help get the anti-gerrymandering initiative on the ballot this fall.
This is probably the worst advise healthwise, but I’m thinking bourbon has a role to play here…
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:20 pm:
Dude, don’t do it. Just write a check. I’ll write one if you don’t do it. No one will think less of you.
I’ve been to a picnic, a rodeo and a couple of state fairs. The only lesson in life I’m sure about is that you don’t do anything that attacks your cojones.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:29 pm:
Just because I want to give based off how long he is in the water, now I am the bad guy…
- RonOglesby - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:31 pm:
Its not that bad. I have done it several times, raised lots of money and you are only cold for a bit… Really really really cold. but just for a bit.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:32 pm:
What word said.
- dupage dan - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:35 pm:
This is one activity that can not separate the boys from the girls. Save for the facial hair, I suppose.
Bring the flip flops - worked for me.
- Under Further Review - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:37 pm:
You may not want to watch “Titanic” as preparation for the plunge.
- Say again - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:38 pm:
Liquid courage Rich, lots of liquid courage.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:40 pm:
Question of the day: Necktie or No Necktie?
Kudos for stepping up and using this as a chance to benefit LSS.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:41 pm:
Wow. Be careful out there, and seriously entertain second thoughts. I just heard that we may set a record in Chicago for the coldest winter. We have so far the fifth snowiest winter on record, on top of that.
“The brave GOPer is gubernatorial hopeful Bill Brady!”
Jumping the shark, or in this case, jumping the polar vortex.
- No Longer A Lurker - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
Rich, will Oscar be taking the plunge with you?
Many moons ago in my life I experienced an occasional irregular heart beat. I once asked my doctor how to correct it if I was in the north woods on a fishing trip. He said, just jump in some cold water or take a cold shower and that should take care of it. So Rich unless you are experiencing an irregular heart beat I suggest you don’t do it. Honestly, we will not think anything less of you.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Rich, any chance you can have your intern record it and post it on the blog - or better yet live stream. Priceless. Truly.
- Been There - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:04 pm:
===Bring the flip flops - worked for me. ====
The event requires that you have something on your feet. Lots of rocks and ice will still be in the sand.
===any chance you can have your intern record it and post it on the blog ===
Trust me, there will be video
- Stu - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:04 pm:
http://youtu.be/8DoARSlv-HU
- Chavez-respecting Obamist - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:05 pm:
Do your drinking after the event, not before.
- Walker - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:09 pm:
You can outlast Fritchey, at anything but speechifying.
Best wishes.
- phocion - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:30 pm:
Shrinkage.
- quicknote - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:44 pm:
Make sure someone gets this on video.
- MrJM - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:49 pm:
Rich,
Come up a day early and join me for some cold-weather foolishness at the Empty Bottle, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/music-frozen-dancing/Event?oid=12569793
Why not spend a whole weekend in Chicago shivering uncontrollably?*
– MrJM
*Feel free to borrow that, ChooseChicago.com.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:55 pm:
–Come up a day early and join me for some cold-weather foolishness at the Empty Bottle,–
Say hello to Bruce and my darling Megan.
- A guy... - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 3:59 pm:
Up, no rocks, shaken, not stirred. 2 Olives. No twist.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 4:04 pm:
Many years ago I would have said yes. But now, no thanks, I’m getting too old for that. I’d probably get double pneumonia or something.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 4:17 pm:
Probably nothing to worry about Rich. Although you might want to take some aspirin right before the plunge and double check to make sure they have a defibrillator on hand.
I just want to say good luck, and we’re all counting on you.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 4:36 pm:
Bring an ice pick. You’ll need to cut a hole through the lake ice.
- Levois - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 4:47 pm:
Well I think stopping you from jumping in the cold lake is worth a donation. If you still choose to do this I hope you get a shot of yourself with Jimmy Fallon!
- railrat - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 4:47 pm:
done it you’re “outie” becomes an “inie”!!
- Cook County Commoner - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 5:05 pm:
Some vaseline around your privates helps.
- Jimbo - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 5:12 pm:
Since no one else said it, WTH “motorcycling man’s man”. Seriously Sneed, I don’t know if you’re in the tank for Ruaner or insinuating he has an alternative lifestyle, but either way, there was no need for that description of Rauner. Yuck. Coverage of this race is just farcical.
- Oh Come On! - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 6:40 pm:
I am sure that many people have told you to go jump in the lake, but seriously…
Please tell us that there is a warming station, so you get towel dried and defrosted almost as soon as you take the dive.
- Belle - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 6:50 pm:
I’m with Chavez on drinking afterwords rather than before. Regarding CCC’s comments, the Vaseline might help. Even a last minute coating of body cream since that makes one warm in the Summer.
How about consuming all foods with extra peppery spices and ginger between now and then? If you take any stock in the way the Chinese consider food, that should warm your interior body.
cold = cold
- RunBikeSwim - Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 10:31 pm:
As a veteran of polar plunges - Bring a cooler with warm water for thawing feet and don’t wear flip flops. They will fall off and you wont feel it. Water socks are best. You won’t feel much, because you instantly go numb! Have fun!!!!!
- Pilingon - Wednesday, Feb 26, 14 @ 7:54 am:
On the weather channel this morning they were talking about the plunge and showing the lake - it is completely iced over. They are bringing in heavy equipment to break the ice cover for the event. The average annual temperature for the event is 39 degrees - they are expecting a high of 15 degrees this year. Please be careful.
- Hon. John Fritchey - Wednesday, Feb 26, 14 @ 8:51 am:
Rich, this will be my third straight year doing it, it’s a blast. Plus, as an added bonus, if you survive, you can come throw a few back with us for my 50th birthday which is that day. Looking forward to seeing you there!