Close call on my 30th day of the cold plunge

Join me as I embark on my 30th day of the cold plunge challenge at Cotton Hollow in Glastonbury, CT. The air temperature was a chilly 35°F with the water temperature at 32°F, but I didn't let that deter me. After hiking about half a mile to my childhood swimming hole, I was surprised to find the water level higher than usual due to recent heavy rains.

Alone and with no means of help, my goal for this plunge was 3-5 minutes. However, I encountered a challenge when I couldn't hear the timer due to the sound of the rushing water. As time passed, I lost track of how long I had been in the water and started to worry when I realized I couldn't feel my stomach or chest. After a total of 8 minutes in the water, I quickly dried off and added extra layers of clothes, a hat, and gloves before rushing back through the woods to my vehicle. There, I enjoyed a warm cup of tea.

The scariest part of this plunge was when I found myself second-guessing the path back to the car and experiencing a little bit of disorientation on the trail. After a 30-minute break to warm up, I realized the importance of bringing a partner or a louder timer for future cold plunges.