TEQUESTA, FLORIDA  – My ninth 4th of July in Florida was great! This year I continued my tradition of running in the Freedom 4-Miler which raises support for Gold Star families.

The race is always dedicated to four specific fallen military heroes, but then each runner gets a dedicated hero of their own to run in honor of. Mine was Marine Staff Sergeant Liam Flynn. On March 10, 2015, during a training exercise, Sgt. Flynn died in a Blackhawk Helicopter crash near Navarre Beach, FL.

As for the race itself, I was faster than last year by 10 seconds, but somehow in training I was much slower – about six minutes slower to be precise. I guess the adrenaline of a race really does work wonders! I finished at 39:16 and 12th in my age group. My main goal in these races is to finish in under 40 minutes and without ever stopping to walk – which I somehow always manage to do. Though I will admit that when the senior citizens and the moms pushing strollers start passing me – it does give me incentive to push myself a little harder.

Later in the day I did two bike rides. For the first ride, I went to see the annual Jupiter Golf Cart Parade, which was a bit on the cheesy side, but I got to see some of my former students on the way home, so it was worth it.

For the second bike ride, I went on my traditional ride through the neighborhoods to watch all the fireworks. I even made it to the stadium in time this year to watch the “official” town fireworks.

I am quite tired and likely sunburned, but in all it was a great day celebrating the founding of our country and those who sacrificed everything to give us the freedoms we enjoy. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

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