Today: God Bless the USA.

I hope you all had a fabulous 4th!  We kicked off America’s birthday bright and early, heading to the starting line for the inaugural Harvard Pilgrim 10k in my hometown of Foxborough, Massachusetts.  Some people spell it without the -ugh, but ugh… I find the longer version more civilized.  As we headed down West Street to Gillette Stadium, we found ourselves in a stand-off with a wild flock of Canadian geese.  I thought about running them over (I mean, helloooo, Canadians, this is our day…. just kidding, obvi), but instead I honked like a wild flock of humans and the offending fowl eventually moved.

The sun was blazing and the temperatures neared 90 during the race, but it was extremely well organized and a great deal of fun.  I liked running through my hometown– so much has changed in the 10 years since I graduated high school, and yet so much remains the same.  The course followed the stadium access road to North Street, where we passed Lawton’s Family Farm.  [Incidentally, you can find the Lawton’s Foxboro Cheese at many farmers’ markets in the city, including the SOWA Sunday Market, just around the corner from us.] Situated just after the first mile mark, the farm smelled… well, ripe.  And manurey.  Let’s just say I was doing a lot of mouth breathing.  It’s really pretty over there, though.

We ran past a number of new developments and the town’s new public safety complex.  It’s amazing how much that part of town has changed.  As I ran up Chestnut Street, the lead runners were on their way back to the Stadium and maaaan, they were cruising.  I loved how all of the runners slowed to clap and cheer them on.  I don’t remember much from miles three or four, other than that it was still blazing hot out.  And that I had underestimated how many songs I’d need on my race playlist.

I felt like I might expire as I approached the Common, but since there was a crowd of people cheering there, I shamed myself into running a bit more, waiting until Baker Street to walk for a bit.  At the corner of Baker and Garfield Streets, a family was running two hoses in their yard, inviting runners to cool off a bit.  Just a bit further down the road, people were gathered at Carl Annon Court, including an older gentleman wearing an “American Legend” tee shirt, cheering us on as were ran by.  This stretch was my favorite part of the race.  Welp, besides the end.

As I approached the Stadium, the excitement of crossing the finish at the 50 yard line was great motivation.  That, and the prospect of an air conditioned car, which would transport me directly to my parents’ pool (don’t worry, Dad, I parked the car first).  I entered the stadium through some sort of inflatable helmet thing (I think… I am really not sure) and ran across the field to the finish, where Nick and Andrea were waiting.  I felt really strong, but really sweaty.  And a little hungry.  But very patriotic.

We enjoyed a bit more grilling, some Phase 10 and swimming, and then headed back to the city to watch the fireworks from the roof deck.

All in all, I’d say it was a lovely 4th of July.  I hope you and yours– American or Canadian or Egyptian or otherwise– had a happy and relaxing weekend. And I hope your 5th and 6th of July are just as good.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Have a slice of patriotic pie!
• Highlights from last night’s fireworks on the Esplanade
• A Spanish version of the Star Spangled Banner 🙂

How did you celebrate America’s birthday?  Or, for our neighbors to the north, Canada Day?