This isn't your typical race recap, because today's race wasn't your typical race. Whether you're a runner or not, read on, because I think you'll identify with some of the uniqueness of today, Memorial Day 2011.
My day began at 3:15am when my alarm sounded to rouse me for the running of the 2011 BolderBoulder, an annual 10k (6.2 miles) held on Memorial Day in Boulder, Colorado. While I've lived in Colorado nearly 20 years, this was only to be the second time I've run this race, so I was looking forward to it for a number of reasons. The BolderBoulder is also a tribute to everything that this days means to our country--I just had no idea since I wasn't able to stay for the 'festivities' the first time I ran it.
After meeting up with a friend and warming up, we each took our places in our respective waves. My race went off without a hitch, and after the usual post-race stretching, hydration, snack-bag-getting, pictures, chatting-with-friends-who-aren't-staying, and gear bag retrieval, we headed into Folsom Field (the stadium at the University of Colorado) to meet other friends for the festivities. Now, the BolderBoulder is the second largest 10k in the country, with some 50,000 participants expected this year (I don't know yet what the final count was). We'd started in one of the first few waves, and given that the official celebration wasn't slated to begin until around 11:30 or so--after the elite men's and women's races, we had a lot of time. Given that all of the runners finish by running into and around the stadium, naturally we watched the runners. There is, of course, some silliness that ensues in the BolderBoulder, but not with one group who did this race as a unit. Looking up on the jumbotron, then spotting them entering the stadium, our group--and the entire stadium (which was now getting quite full)--jumped to our feet shouting and clapping, and the clamor grew with each section they passed: a group of about 12 military men--Army, I think--running two abreast, in their fatigues and combat boots, carrying their branch's flag and the American flag! They stopped just before the finish, the flag-bearers standing at attention, and in formation and with the precision of a well-oiled machine, executed a set of push-ups before resuming formation to run in to the finish. The crowd went wild. That was just the beginning.
This year, the BolderBoulder would celebrate its 1 millionth runner crossing the finish line. As we were waiting for the elites to finish their race, the announcer presented the unsuspecting 'winner' to the crowd, interviewed her, and let us all know the bevy of cool things she would be getting. On this day, how fitting it was that we discovered that she was a veteran herself, and was running for a group of fellow soldiers with whom she'd served who'd not survived to return home. On her back was a race bib filled with each of their photos.
Following the International Team Challenge, the elite men's and women's races--which deserves another entry all its own--the official celebration began. There was a flyover, then the announcer asked us to stand to honor several significant veterans who were being recognized on the podium. In a stadium now full of at least 50,000 people, you could almost hear a pin drop. Next was the presentation of colors and the 21-gun salute. It's always impressive to see the precision and discipline of our military men and women during these time-honored traditions. When it came time for the singing of our national anthem, it was an a Capella soloist who did the honors. Standing there, hand over heart, something inside me just wouldn't allow me to sing. Silent. Be silent, and honor in that way. Even if I'd tried to sing, I don't think it would've happened, because I was already sensing something welling up in the 'ol esophagus...
In the sky over the stadium, a plane slowly circled in the air, and as we watched, one...two...three...four...five parachutists jumped, pulled their red-white-and-blue chutes, and began slowly descending in a large spiral--one at a time--toward the center of the stadium in Folsom Field. But wait...there's something else they've each unfurled that's now trailing behind them. One by one they spiraled down, got into position, then made their final descent onto the center of the grassy area meant to be a target--each representing a different branch of our nation's military, and trailing that branch's flag behind them as they did. Army...Navy...Air Force...Marines...Coast Guard. With each successive solo entrance, the crowd became more appreciative, and you could just feel the sense of pride growing.
It was what happened next that capped off the experience I wasn't expecting today...
We'd watched each parachutist land, gather his chute, and make way for the next one. Without realizing it, though, there was one more who'd just jumped from the still-circling plane. Suddenly, he released the American flag to trail behind him, and as he did, the music to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" began. We all stood, initially cheering with enthusiastic pride. Then, every one of us in the crowd in Folsom Field got quiet, listening to the music as we watched this amazing experience unfold before us. Some sang softly, but in our group there was nothing but silence. There was no singing for this runner--there was no way I could eke out a sound.
He took his time, circling, descending, circling, descending, until the moment for the final chorus was at hand. I looked up behind me, and there, seemingly within arm's reach, he positioned himself in the center of the end of the stadium above the crowd...floating. At the final chorus of the song, he released from his position and flew right over us, American flag in tow, and--to the wild excitement of us all, right down onto the center of the field, where the volunteers were waiting to scoop up the American flag so as not to let it be on the ground.
The excitement, the honor of being an American, and the appreciation for those who had fought and were fighting for our freedom all came together in that moment--at least for me. Everything I'd just experienced reminded me how thankful I am for the freedoms that we have--not just the ones we usually think of, the big ones, but also the little, daily ones that we sometimes forget. Thank you, BolderBoulder, for such a great event in which to participate and be reminded of the significance of this day. And thank you to the men and women of our military, both past and present, for your service. Those of us who haven't served will never truly understand, but we are appreciative nonetheless. God bless you and God bless the USA.
God Bless the USA--tribute video
Relentless Forward Motion, Ya'll...
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