On Tuesday, July 4th, we celebrated independence. We celebrated the birth of this great nation. We celebrated 241 years of the United States of America. And we did it with 135 Pax from all corners of Wake County.
YHC rolled in on two wheels at 0620 to find a dozen Pax waiting to get their Pre-Run on. Polaroid was there. So was Fudd. And a familiar yellow Mustang. Flags planted, let’s go. A fast crew made quick work of a 3 mile loop through the NC State campus. And returned to find a parking lot quickly filling with clown cars from North, South and all points between. The over/under on Pax count had been hovering around 70 in the days leading up to the 4th. That number would quickly be eclipsed.
Moonshine brought a large contingency. More flags were planted. More clown cars spewed Pax onto the asphalt. Gnard and Mick brought Kettle Bells. Life Alert was there. And Midget 4 Life was there in an American Flag romper/onesie. It was surreal.
There were also 7 FNGs. So, we kicked it all off with a quick disclaimer and moving Pledge of Allegiance:
“I pledge allegiance, to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
And with that, we moseyed over to the old stone circle.
Independence Warm-Up
On this day, 241 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed, effectively giving birth to our nation:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
SSH x13
Merkins x13
Mtn Climbers x13
Windmills x13
Burpees x4
(13 Colonies – 56 Signatures)
Gnard Dogg and Cut Me Mick rallied the non-running group. And the rest of the Pax made their way to the baseball field, where we gathered outside the outfield fence.
The Battles of Lexington & Concord / Paul Revere Run
In April of 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord kicked off the American Revolutionary War. As hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to Concord in order to seize an arms cache, patriots in Boston learned of the plan. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, riding in opposite directions, circling around toward Lexington where the fighting began. Soon the Redcoats were retreating under intense fire. Today, we honor those patriots with a little partner work.
Partner Up:
P1 Runs one direction around the field, P2 runs the other direction
When you meet, 20 Hand-Clap Merkins
When you meet again, 20 Partner WWIIs
Repeat twice for “Two if by sea.”
Plank work for all to finish, and The Nippler x20
Let Freedom Ring
Quick pace over to the Liberty Bell (tower).
The Liberty Bell rang out on July 8th summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Bear Crawl around the NCSU Belltower
Plank work by the flag for all to finish, then:
American Hammers x20
Diamond Merkins x25
LBCs x30
Diamond Merkins x25
American Hammers x20
Squat Hold for a reading from the Declaration:
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
In Pursuit of Happiness
This was going to be a partner chase, but looking around at 135 Pax and imagining them doing a chase down the road while trying to find their partners, an audible was called. Just run. To the rocks behind the tennis courts. Grab a rock with your partner and Squat Hold for all to arrive.
The Siege of Yorktown
The American Continental Army under General George Washington along with French troops laid siege to the Brits on the peninsula of Yorktown, blockading the port, and bombarding the Redcoats with artillery until they finally surrendered, actually waving a white flag. This battle officially ended the war.
With your rock, head to the halfpipe.
P1: At the top (either side), 10 Curls, 10 Overhead Press and 10 Tricep Extensions, Repeato
P2: Run to bottom for 20 Sumo Squat Jumps, return to P1 and flapjack.
Continue until time is called.
One partner return rock, other do exercise (can’t recall what that was).
Partner Merkin Chase back to the stone circle.
Mary
Circle-up for:
Flutters x20
Box Cutter x20
Somewhere in here, Gnard Dogg and his group joined with with Neil Young blasting.
American Hammers x20
Freddie Mercury x20
Star Jumps x10 OYO
Burpees x10 OYO
Constitution of the United States of America
In 1789 the Constitution of the United States was created and ratified, establishing a national government.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
But between the signing of those two documents, there was brutal fighting and bloodshed. Families were torn apart and businesses and farms destroyed. The freedoms declared by the Declaration — and ushered into fact by the Constitution — were secured at a terrible cost. And as we celebrate with family and friends, cookout, swim with our kids, and shoot off fireworks to proclaim the freedom we enjoy. Lift a glass and a prayer to all those that have fought for this Nation. For this flag. For us.
Happy Birthday America!
COT
Count-off and name-o-rama with 135 Pax takes a lot of time. But we managed to pull it off. We gathered the 7 FNGs in the middle at the end and had them introduce themselves again. For so many folks this also went rather smoothly. A realtor became Section 8. A medical device sales guy became Forceps. His friend, another med sales guy, narrowly missed Shower Buddy, and became Cankles (blame me, I’ve been wanting to use that name for some time). A RESPECT in a Son Volt t-shirt became Honey Boo Boo (Son Volt > Uncle Tupelo > Tupelo Honey > Honey Boo Boo). A 2.0 who came without his dad became Oliver Twist. Another 2.0 wearing thick basketball hightops became Moon Boots. And a maintenance man became Schneider, until it was revealed we already have a Schneider, so he got an even better name, Mop & Glo.
Polaroid took us out and lifted us up in powerful prayer, and moving 135 Pax Ball-of-Man.
It was humbling to lead so many men today. The crowd was filled with leaders much more talented than YHC. But it was great seeing so many familiar and new faces all joined together. I never felt lost. And it was a beautiful day.
There is much more to this story, but not the time to tell it. Feel free to leave a comment below. And I’ll see you in the gloom.
Shaggy
