Tanner runs Track

Year 2 of Tanner running track! Watching him compete has been one of those things that has made me so incredibly proud of him.

At the junior high level, only the top 3 or 4 students in each event get to advance to the meets, so there was definitely some competition! Tanner consistently ranked near the top, which meant he qualified for every meet. Watching him work hard and then seeing that hard work pay off was so exciting!

He ran the 800 (two times around the track) and the 400 (one lap), which meant he was running twice at each meet. And if you’ve ever been to a junior high track meet, you know those things can be LONG! Tanner would often have an event near the very beginning and then another one toward the end, so we were there for quite a while. But of course, we never minded because we loved getting to watch him run.

He even qualified for districts, which was such a cool accomplishment!

There was one meet where both Brad and I really wanted to go watch him, but Logan had soccer practice at the exact same time. I was trying to figure out how I was going to make it all work when I suddenly remembered… Carson can drive! 😂 He was able to take Logan to soccer while Brad and I went to Tanner’s meet. Having a third driver has been a TOTAL game changer!

More than anything, I’m proud of Tanner for the discipline he showed throughout the season. Getting up early every day, heading to practice, pushing himself to run and improve, and sticking with it takes a lot of dedication.

(In black shirt and red pants stretching his leg)

making sure we were watching

So proud of you, Tanner! Watching you work hard and accomplish your goals has been so much fun. 🏃‍♂️❤️

 

El Tour de Tucson

Brad headed back to our old hometown of Tuscon, Arizona! He went out with his Texas riding buddies, Corey and James, for a guys trip centered around one incredible event: the Tour de Tucson. Sponsored by Corey’s company.  This isn’t just any bike ride, it’s one of the biggest in the country, with over 10,000 riders taking on a 100-mile route around Tucson. The energy, the crowd, the high level of competition, made for an unforgettable experience.

But what made it even more meaningful was the familiarity. Along the ride, Brad passed through Sahuarita and even rode by our old home. There’s something surreal about revisiting those old routes, seeing the same desert landscapes, and feeling like no time has passed while also being surrounded by some of the strongest cyclists in the U.S.

And Brad didn’t just ride, he crushed it! Finishing the 100 miles in under 4.5 hours, he qualified for Platinum status, an incredible accomplishment that speaks to how hard he’s trained and how much he loves the sport.

After the race, the experience only got better. Through Corey's connections through work the guys enjoyed lunch in the VIP section and even had the chance to meet Sir Bradley Wiggins (a tour de France winner) a pretty amazing moment to cap off such a huge ride.

The next day, they drove up Mount Lemmon to scout out the climb for what was coming next. They soaked in the views and made sure to hit some of our old favorite local spots—including grabbing a classic Sonoran dog (a bacon-wrapped hot dog that’s every bit as good as it sounds).

Then came the ride up Mount Lemmon.

If you know Tucson you know this is no easy climb. Riders from all over come to Mt. Lemmon to ride. As a bike rider it is one of the longest climbs in North America, about 26 miles.  And Brad? He powered his way to the top in under two hours. Honestly I don't know how he does it.  I'm in awe.

At the summit, they were greeted with snow and, of course, a stop at the famous cookie cabin. Brad went with a peanut butter cookie that is the size of a plate and well-earned after a climb like that.

now for the fun (for Brad, scary for his wife) part, the downhill.  I don't even want to know how fast he was going...

Needless to say, it was an unforgettable trip and one he’ll be talking about for a long time.

Track

This spring Tanner decided to give track a try at school! It’s a no-cut sport, which means anyone can join, but with such a big and competitive school, actually getting to compete in the meets is a whole different story. They only take the top 3 students for each event—and Tanner earned one of those spots!

He trained hard, got up early for practices, and ended up qualifying to run the 800 meters (two full laps around the track!) at the meets. We’re so proud of his dedication, perseverance, and the way he pushed himself to reach this goal. Love cheering this kid on! Way to go, Tanner!