Revolutionary Endurance and Stolen Valor

How training for a marathon is essentially the same as rebelling against the almighty crown, declaring independence from them, winning a war against them, and creating the most powerful country the planet has ever seen.

I’ve never been a fan of fireworks. To me, they’re like movies. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. However, with America’s 250th birthday celebration just a week away, and the men’s national team winning World Cup games in a tournament hosted on our own land (we’re all used to the women’s team winning, but the men?!), it’s difficult not to feel a little extra patriotic this year.

The World Cup is exciting! Especially for a seasoned soccer player like me. I played from age 8-10 in an AYSO league. I played for the Pollywogs. My nickname was “Boot”. Though I’m not sure if that was because of my abnormally strong kick or because, as a child, I was the size of a German submarine.

But it’s magical. Athletes and spectators from around the globe are here in the United States, seeing the country they’ve always heard of and are finally able to visit. Varying accents intermingling in the country created in a similar way 250 short years ago. Visitors speaking the different languages I’ve tried learning without success, as proven by the time someone told me they were a fan of Dua Lipa, to which I responded, “I tried learning Spanish on that one time.” Whether that speaks to my tenacity to learn Spanish or lack of pop culture knowledge – I don’t know.

It’s shaping up to be a celebratory summer or America. And with 250 years of American history behind us, it got me thinking – are there parallels between the founding fathers fighting their way to freedom and running a marathon? Kinda.

What Training for a Marathon and America’s Founding Have in Common

While running and the founding of the United States may seem worlds apart, they share some common themes that resonate with anyone working toward a goal.

Whether you’re training for your first 5K, working your way to a 100-mile mountain race, or trying to become a healthier version of yourself, the same qualities that helped shape a nation can help shape your running journey: vision, perseverance, sacrifice, and working toward something bigger than yourself.

Long-Term Vision

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, the signers weren’t celebrating the finish of a race. They were standing at the starting line of one. They had a vision for what their country could become, but they understood that achieving it would require years of dedication and uncertainty. Running is no different.

A common mistake made by new runners is the expectation of immediate results. I love an optimistic outlook, and it’s easy to believe that after a few weeks of training, you’ll suddenly feel faster, stronger, or lighter. Though you will likely see some results quickly, it is important to remember that accomplishing incredible things can take time. Think months and years, not days and weeks.

No one wakes up one morning capable of running a marathon. Though there is a recent trend where people attempt marathons on no training (don’t get me started). It takes hundreds of miles, hundreds of hours, and relentless consistent efforts to get to the finish line.

The founding fathers did not expect the greatness of America to happen overnight. They knew there would be overwhelming challenges to overcome. Like war and bad weather. But they knew what was possible if they forged ahead.

The runners who succeed aren’t always the most talented, they’re the ones willing to trust the process long before they see the payoff. There’s a reason visualization is such a strong and common technique for ultrarunners deep into their races. Believing what can be can sometimes be enough to get you there.

Your finish line begins with the vision to believe it’s possible.

Perseverance Through Challenges

The road to independence was filled with setbacks, uncertainty, and moments when success seemed unlikely. Yet people continued moving forward because they believed the goal was worth pursuing. Every runner understands a similar feeling.

History rarely follows a straight line, and training plans are rarely executed perfectly. Life gets busy, injuries happen, family and work obligations take precedence. Sometimes you simply have a bad run for no apparent reason. It’s important to remember that those difficult days don’t erase your progress. In fact, they often become incredibly valuable parts of your journey.

Anyone can stay motivated when everything is going well. Your best growth happens when you lace up your shoes after a disappointing race, a missed workout, or a difficult week. The discipline to keep going when you feel unmotivated creates the confidence and mental toughness you will need to finish strong on race day. Perseverance isn’t about never struggling; it’s about continuing despite the hardships.

Every experienced runner has stories of races that went wrong, injuries that interrupted training, or moments when quitting seemed easier than continuing. Those experiences don’t mean you are a failure, they mean you are resilient.

The Siege of Charleston was the largest American defeat of the Revolutionary War. Major General Benjamin Lincoln unconditionally surrendered his entire army of over 5,000 men to the British, and allowed the British to control much of the American South.

Did Ben Lincoln give up forever and never fight the British again? No! He (probably) said “Whoops. That stunk. I’m going to go try to win one now.” Like a Teflon soldier… And he did!

In time, George Washington named him second in command. He was instrumental in forcing a British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown, the final major land battle of the war, and eventually became the first United States Secretary at War.

Persevere, runners. It’s the best way through.

Making Sacrifices

Every worthwhile goal requires sacrifice.

Take Revolutionary soldiers for example:

·         Leaving their home and family

·         Physical hardships, long marches, inadequate food, and disease and injury.

·         Financial trade-offs

·         Willingness to risk their lives

They gave up comforts and safety today to accomplish goals that may not come for months, years, or ever. Though extremely difficult, the sacrifices weren’t punishments. They were investments in the future they wanted to create.

Training for a race means making choices beyond what others see. It isn’t just lacing up a pair of shoes, running for an hour, and being race-ready in three months. It’s also:

·         Early nights in place of late-night festivities

·         Early morning workouts when the schedule becomes too hectic

·         Trading in junk food for nutrition-packed fuel to keep your body happy

·         Spending hours per week on the road instead of comfortably on the couch. And, as a result, binge watching only two episodes instead of three

·         Physical comfort – achy legs and depleted energy when in intense training blocks

·         Financial tradeoffs – spending money on shoes, fuel, and race fees instead of leisure activities.

Fortunately, sacrifice doesn’t have to be as dramatic as war, but it is all sacrificed with a vision of what can be accomplished.

One battle won’t win a war. One workout won’t change your life. One healthy meal won’t give you abs. But hundreds of small decisions, repeated over time, create extraordinary results.

The revolutionaries were true heroes, but our success, like theirs, depends on consistent heroic efforts.

Communities Coming Together to Create Something Special

Running often appears to be an individual sport.

You toe the starting line alone. You run the miles yourself. You cross the finish line under your own power.

Yet anyone who’s spent time in the running community knows you’re never truly alone.

·         Family members wake up before sunrise to cheer you on.

·         Friends encourage you through difficult training cycles.

·         Volunteers hand you water at aid stations.

·         Race directors spend months organizing events.

·         Coaches help guide your progress.

·         Fellow runners celebrate your victories, even when they finish ahead of you.

Every finish line is supported by countless people whose names don’t appear in the results.

The strongest communities are built when individuals contribute something larger than themselves. Running teaches us to encourage beginners, celebrate others’ successes, volunteer at races, and share knowledge with those just starting their journey.

Your 13 colonies are made up of all the aspects of a race, working in concert to help you reach your goal. All those who make sacrifices - your family members, coaches, nutritionists, physical therapists, race volunteers, and fellow runners, all make up the army that marches with you across the finish line.

Your personal finish line may belong to you, but your journey can inspire someone else to take their very first step. Progress isn’t measured by how quickly you arrive. It’s measured by your willingness to keep going.

As you celebrate Independence Day, take a moment to appreciate not only the freedoms we enjoy, but also the freedom to challenge yourself, pursue new goals, and become stronger than you were yesterday.

Whether you are training for a big race or planning to rebel against a powerful empire to create your own, keep in mind the vision, perseverance, sacrifice, and enormity of your goal as you work toward accomplishing something special.

Stay smart out there,
Brandon