So due to some unfortunate circumstances, our friend Catherine (Her Bad Mother) was unable to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon, a race she was running in honor of her nephew Tanner who is battling Muscular Dystrophy.
Even though we've never met him, Tanner (and his family) has a special place in many of our hearts, and so we wanted to do something special to help lift Catherine's spirits and honor Tanner in the way she wanted to this past weekend.
So, along with fellow Shredhead Kari Dahlen, I came up with the idea "Tutus for Tanner." It's really quite simple. If you're planning on running a race this year (5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, or whatever other distances exist), then agree to wear a tutu when you do, in honor of Tanner.
Yes, you might look a little silly, but some might say running just for the heck of it is a little silly.
The best part is that tutus are super easy to make (I used these make your own tutu instructions from Design Mom to make mine) and if that's not your thing, then well, they're easy to buy too.
If you're interested in participating, just email your name, link (if applicable), and race information (location not necessary unless you want to share - but tell us the distance or the name if there is one - plus a link too if you like) to theshredheads[at]gmail[dot]com with "TUTUS FOR TANNER" in the subject and we'll link everyone up by date/month.
And if you don't have a race yet, just email us whenever you sign up for one. And if you're looking for help with your 5K Training (or even 10K and Half Marathon training), well, you've come to the right place.
So hooray for tutus. And hooray for Tanner. If ever you needed the motivation to get off your butt and run, what a better combination?
You can count on me to don a tutu at the BolderBoulder in May and during the bike/run events of the three triathlons I'll complete this summer.
Tutus for Tanner!
Posted by: Julie @ The Mom Slant | 03/11/2010 at 03:47 PM
Okay, I am just WEEPING here.
It's been a hard day - Tanner is declining, badly, and is sad that he didn't get to go to Disney with his cousins and that he may never be able to and UGH, UGH, UGH but this? is easing some of the heaviness that the UGH has laid.
I love you guys so much.
**WEEPING**
Posted by: Her Bad Mother | 03/11/2010 at 03:57 PM
What about cripples who can't do marathons but spend an inordinate amount of time on a treadmill trying to reduce spinal swelling and building muscle strength? Cuz I can rock the tutu. Every damn time I go to therapy.
I'm all down for making myself look silly for Tanner. I am his aunty Tanis after all.
Posted by: Redneck Mommy | 03/11/2010 at 04:46 PM
I'm with Tanis. What if you can't do runs, at least for now, but want to be part of this?
I'm doing the March of Dimes March for Babies in April, would that count?
Posted by: Beth | 03/11/2010 at 04:57 PM
This is awesome. Almost makes me want to think about maybe doing finding race to train for :)
Posted by: twitter.com/Fearless | 03/11/2010 at 05:13 PM
Beth - I'd say wearing a tutu at the March of Dimes March for Babies is a perfectly wonderful way to honor Tanner. And Tanis? Absolutely wear that tutu in therapy - I LOVE it!
I'll do a few "Tanner Tens (10k)" in the next couple months and this weekend will do a "Tanner 5k Trot" if I can grab/make myself a green tutu in time.
Thanks for setting this up, Kristen!
Posted by: Karianna | 03/11/2010 at 06:33 PM
This is Tanner's Mom and Cath's sister. You have NO IDEA how much this means to me, and to him, it has lifted his spirits in a very difficult transition. When Cath told me today I started to cry. Thank you so much for all the support. I am trying to post this to my profile on Facebook with little success - I am not very savvy at techno.
Posted by: Chrissie Connors | 03/11/2010 at 11:15 PM
I will be sporting a Tutu for Tanner as I March for Maddie in April in LA!
Posted by: Adrienne | 03/12/2010 at 01:33 AM
I have a 5K on US Labor Day, in September, though my neighborhood, so I'll be able to show off my tutu to all of my neighbors. The kid is running a half mile the same day, and I will have no trouble talking her in to a tutu.
I hope to one earlier than that as well. Do we have a Flickr group to show this off?
Posted by: Amelia Sprout | 03/12/2010 at 09:16 AM
I'm not signed up for any 5ks right now but I have two tris coming up...I'd be MORE THAN WILLING to wear it for the run length!!
Also will share this on my tri blog!!
Posted by: Stella | 03/12/2010 at 10:51 AM
Great idea, Amelia. I might just start a group within the Shredheads!
Posted by: Motherhood Uncensored | 03/12/2010 at 10:57 AM
I'm totally in! I'm doing the Mississauga Half Marathon on May 16th!
Posted by: Janice - The Fitness Cheerleader | 03/12/2010 at 11:08 AM
Mr F is running the Scotia half-marathon in April (Montreal). I WILL persuade him to hear a pink sparkly tutu.
I wonder if he can equally be persuaded to wear one in the Penticton Ironman? (Ironman in a tutu.... now, that would be something!)
Posted by: Mrs F with 4 | 03/12/2010 at 12:21 PM
Running a half marathon on Easter Weekend here in Bloomington Indiana- while I already have a duck I wear on my head, I'm happy to add a tutu to the mix. Perhaps my mom and sister will too. IF they do, we'll send pictures.
Posted by: Amy | 03/12/2010 at 01:21 PM
i have some more races planned this year including 3 half marathons so yes, i will wear a Tutu for Tanner. Next race is the American River Parkway Half Marathon in Sacramento on May 1st. For Tanner and is awesome auntie, Catherine, I will wear a tutu then.
So sorry we didn't get to meet, Catherine. Hugs to you and please share one with Tanner from me as well!
Posted by: laura | 03/12/2010 at 02:59 PM
I am actually getting my lazy ass up and training for a 5K in June. I will proudly be wearing a tutu for Tanner while I run. Not like I could look any less ridiculous.
Posted by: Another Suburban Mom | 03/13/2010 at 06:55 PM
I would LOVE a t-shirt to wear to my 2 races in May. I'm thinking it should say "Tutus for Tanner" on the BACK with maybe a web address for info? Especially if it could be set up where proceeds would actually go to the appropriate charity. It would be great if all of the people passing me could see the pertinent info as the go. Also - it would explain my tutu so people don't just think I'm THAT GIRL. ;)
Keep us posted if there are any shirts made! I'll be the first in line!
Posted by: Zoot | 03/15/2010 at 03:38 PM
I made my tutu! ANd I am having the Tutu for Tanner button image put on the back of my Marching for Maddie tshirt today. The March of Dimes walk is in two weeks.
Posted by: Adrienne | 04/10/2010 at 01:19 PM