40 Years and 44 Minutes Ago.

Tuck did his first race with my folks. Oogie and Poppy. Every day they walked, trotted and gave a valiant effort to not have a heart attack around their community lake. It really a pond. But you throw a gate, a few pretty houses in front of it and it’s near a 7-eleven suddenly it’s a lake. People.

I had full faith in my folks and their physical ability to finish this. I was raised on a horse farm and we are no strangers to physical activities on a daily basis. Up until 4-ish years ago, they still owned the farm. They took a leap of faith and sold everything to move to town to enjoy their retirement.

This was right before the race when they were naively still smiling.

Tuck took. off. straight outta the gate.

It was about this point that Tuck wanted to talk strategy with Poppy. My dad who hasn’t ran since Vietnam took heed to Tuck’s advice and shared a story of his own.

Apparently during a fitness test 40 years ago when he was in Korea they had to run 3 miles around an airbase. Along the way they came across a bus. They got on said bus and rode the entire way back and since no one noticed they unloaded the bus like rockstars. My dad.

Tuck liked that idea and decided to take Poppy himself for a ride. 3 seconds after I took this photo Tuck was dry heaving on my dad’s shoulder.

-POPPY! Why you gots all dat grass on you!

…. “Dat grass” would be hair brother. One day you too will look like chewbacca with clothes on.

44 mintes. Boom.

Tuck has another 5K under his belt and another bib to hang on his trophy wall. I was so proud and so thankful to my folks for stepping up to Tuck’s request of them running with him. I don’t know of any other 4 year old who does what he does, and I have never met another grandparent who has ran a 5K in work boots.