Sig Shaw completed an astounding 201 laps, covering 50.25 miles, at Relay For Life in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., April 19-20.
Shaw was a long time teacher in the Clintonville Public School District. “I ended my career as middle school principal, because they go straight to heaven,” she said with a laugh.
Sig and John Shaw live in the New London area, but often travel to Arizona during the winter.
At Relay For Life, she walked with the team “Cheese Soup”. “Cheese” was a nod to the Shaw’s Wisconsin roots, while “Soup” seemed to connect nicely with teammate Pete Campbell’s last name.
“I did a lap challenge at this event,” explained Shaw. “My brother-in-law was visiting us. My husband John and I decided to do a lap challenge, earning $1 for each lap we walked. My brother-in-law gave me $59 to walk in memory of his wife.
“I did my next 62 laps for my son-in-law’s mother, who passed away at age 62,” continued Shaw. “Then, I did 40 laps in honor of my husband, who is a 40-year cancer survivor.
“Then, Elaine Schuler gave $20 (adding 20 laps) for me to walk in memory of three of her friends,” added Shaw. “Finally, a golfing friend of mine gave me $20 (adding 20 laps).”
Shaw kept track of the laps on a dry erase board as she walked them. She nicknamed them “love laps”. By the end of the event, she had tallied 201 laps.
“I started at about 5 p.m., and finished the next morning,” said Shaw. “At lap 101, I needed a boost, so I ate a whole plate of scalloped potatoes.
“I got my second wind at about midnight,” she continued. “At lap 155, one of my runner friends paced me and we walked together. At lap 180, I hated my golfing friend for giving me that $20!
“The last five laps were like nothing. I jogged on the last lap, and everyone joined me to help me finish it out,” said Shaw. “John and I both hit our mark. He went over his goal of raising $1,000. I can still walk, but not too fast. I will do Relay again, but not a lap challenge.”