Part 2

Kate: I didn't do the Polar Bear Swim this year. Friends of mine did, they went to English Bay. I've done it three times, but it takes me minimum five years in between to forget how cold it was, because it's not-to run in the water on January 1st is a shock, but even worse than that is coming out of the water and trying to walk on the sand, and your feet feel basically like little frozen ice cubes. You can't even tell where your toes are. It feels like you're walking on sort of club feet, just nothing but stubs, and if you can't find your friends it's a zoo, but it really is funny. There are people going in dressed as Santa Claus, people going in-one year there was someone who was dressed as a dill pickle, to the best of my understanding, and everybody has a really good time. Have you ever done the Polar Bear Swim?

Jill: I haven't. I went to watch it one year, about five years ago, and I tried to pretend like I would do it, but once I was there, there was just no way you were getting me out of my warm clothes. I mean, it wasn't even getting into the water, it was-it's the thought of actually having to be in a bathing suit in that kind of weather, and then knowing when you come out of the water, you're going to freeze almost instantly, you know? So I went, and I watched, and I never had enough guts to actually do it myself, but there are people who do it every year, and they think it's just great, so, you know, good for them. But I don't-I'm not that brave, no. Kate: Well, I think the best thing about some of these events-even skiing, some days-you know, if it's cold and nasty, or anything that you're doing. Even something hot, tennis or something like that. Sometimes the best part is finishing. When you take the ski boots off. When you fall into a hot bath after skiing, or the Polar Bear Swim, or when you have a shower after playing tennis and you're just dripping. The best part is the recovery, and you know you've done something. But the Polar Bear Swim is a bit extreme, perhaps.

Jill: Do you think? I agree, it's the afterwards that I love so much too. I love the outdoors, but in the winter, if I go snowshoeing, or snowboarding, or running, or whatever it may be, I feel good after because I've exercised and that always makes me feel good, but I'm not very excited to actually get started, and I don't love it as I'm doing it, but, you know, having the hot chocolate afterward, and being bundled up and getting warm again, kind of makes it all worth it. But that is definitely the best part of it, is the part at the end, when you've done everything and you're getting warm again, and having snacks, having treats, and you feel like you can because you've earned them. So I agree, that's the best part.