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For a lot of families affected by cancer, the Gallop is always a great way to remember those who have passed away from cancer.
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Racers begin the Goodview Gallop 5k race Saturday in Goodview, Minn. (Photo by Paul Solberg/Winona Daily News) |
The Theis/Schneider family always uses the event to get together. This year, more than 20 of them showed up again for the run/walk, but this time around it was a little different.
They used the event to remember George Schneider, 82, who passed away last December from lung cancer.
“We’re doing it in his memory this year,” said Judy Theis, George’s daughter. “We’ve been doing it for years, and this year we’re doing it for him.”
Each year, the Theis/Schneider family uses George, and his wife Jeri’s, house to get together. The two had 10 children together. Their house is the popular spot and right along the parade route. It will be again this year.
“Oh, the party is still there with mom,” Judy said.
While the Theis/Schneider family was inspired by those who have passed on, Ashley Earney was inspiring in her own right.
Earney, 23 and a 2003 Cochrane-Fountain City High School graduate, held her first-place trophy in one arm and her seventh-month old baby, Addyson, in the other after the race.
She won the women’s title with an 18-minute, 6-second finish.
She had her hopes set on winning, but wasn’t sure, “since I had her,” Earney said, nodding toward Addyson with a smile.
My own experience in this, my third Gallop, was interesting. Aside from nearly cashing in my breakfast at the finish line, I still managed a personal record — my first career personal record (up until then I just kept getting slower) — with a 20:59.
When I hit the first mile, the timer guy yelled out 6:12 and I got a little scared.
That’s way faster than I’ve ever gone out. Perhaps it was because someone told me I couldn’t run a six-minute mile, or it could have been the really short guy ahead of me, who I thought I should beat. He was just so short. I never did catch that guy.
About halfway through the race Josh Cleveland yelled something at me as he passed. I barely chuckled, and had nothing to say, since I couldn’t breathe.
I did notice, however, as he whizzed by, Cleveland, 27, had on high-top hiking boots that probably weighed about three pounds each.
I never caught him, either. He finished 30th (20:09).
My roommate, Joseph Cynor, 29, also ran. It was his first race ever. I don’t think he’s ever really run before. Not that he’s out of shape, he just doesn’t run, and here I’ve been running just about every day all summer.
Before the race he talked about how he’d just stick with me, the liar. All 175 pounds of him (soaking wet) flew out from the start. He finished 23rd (19:16). What a jerk.
I may sound a bit bitter about all this, but I’m really just kidding around. The Gallop was one of the highlights of my summer, and a good way to say goodbye to 29. I’ll be 30 this week, sweet (and that I am bitter about).
There were probably 100 other things amazing about the Gallop — or 587, since that’s how many people took part — but you’ll have to cut me some slack. I can only find out about so much, and after just about hurling after the race, I’m lucky to have talked to anyone.
Next year, is the 30th Annual Goodview Gallop. I look forward to dreading it all over again.
