My Son Ryan Shay

I never had the opportunity to meet Ryan, but did get the chance to see him run at the 2001 NCAA XC champs. After reading these stories about Ryan I wish I had the opportunity to meet him. I knew he was a great runner, and it sounds like he was an even better person. My condolences to you, your family, Alicia, and all those who had the privilege of being close to Ryan.

CASE SHAY wrote:

And as a brother, he carried that same level of comitment and focus in every facet of his life. I could depend on him. When I needed something sent in the mail, he's the guy I would call. Because I knew he would get it done.

I remember when we were little and he'd follow me around. I'd treat him like sh_ _ , and he would still be there for me.......... that's just something I can't understand about him.........he was always there.

In hindsight he used every bit of blessed breath he had to make himself someone special that brings people together.

There is a bond between most brothers that is not understandable to outsiders. You were part of his character building when you were a bit of a bully to him. Perhaps a bit like Joseph and his older brothers in the book of Genesis. (It was all meant for good in the long run.) That tenacity to train may have been innate but I'll bet you and the other siblings gave far more encouragement than you may have thought. My brothers and I were more proud of our youngest brother's athletic accomplishments than he was. Ryan represented your whole family. Take comfort in knowing he garnered his parent's and your support during his successful career. Continue to pray for your sister-in-law in the months that follow. Hug your parents as often as you can. We all need to reflect and work on strained relationships if there are any. It makes the transition from life to everlasting life of a loved one, easier for those left behind.

On Saturday the running community was shocked and saddened.

On Sunday they went out and ran, countless numbers with Ryan foremost in their minds.

No words can express our grief, but perhaps in running we can honor him.

Did not know Ryan Shay. Did not need to. Sixteen pages of tribute that are posted on Lets Run shows me that the running community and the world in general has lost a gifted and corageous person. I am sorry for the family, and wish you luck with cherishing Ryan in your memories.

Just a few weeks ago Ryan was at ND getting prepared to run the trials and we have this run we do out on the westside of town, which guys sometimes use as a tempo run loop. Shay not surprisingly has the unofficial "course record" for that run, of something around 48 minutes for nearly 10miles. Anyway, the point was that we got back from the run and he was standing there with Piane at the track bsing and whatnot and we decided to go up to him and tell him we just took down his "record" for the Westside run. He stops and looks at us in a bit or surprise and you can tell he started to think about it. After he was done talking with Piane he found out we were just messing with him but he kept saying, "Man, you guys had me going (you could see the excitement in his face just from the idea of the challenge) I was supposed to do a 10mile tempo in two days and I was just gonna go out there and do it right now as my tempo. I have a gps watch and I wonder really how far that loop is, and how fast it is. I am supposed to tempo at somewhere around 5min pace so i wonder if i can break that old run record." At this point it was getting late and Shay hadnt gone for his run yet that day from traveling, we talked a bit more and all the boys got done for the day and we went on to dinner and homework and the rest of the night. The next day we found out he went out there and ran the westside run at dusk by himself after everyone was gone, just to see "how fast" it really was.

What a legend.

Mr. Shay,

I just wanted to let you know how much of an inspiration your son was. I grew up outside of Detroit and vacationed with my family in Bellaire, MI in the summers. I ran the Eagle 5k the first year it was organized and Ryan was there in his ND singlet and gear and I was amazed at how great of a runner he was. It was my first 5k and Ryan won so easily and continued to tempo around the Bellaire track afterwards, which completely amazed me. Later, after Ryan won the ncaa 10k my brother who was a student at ND sent me the front page of the student paper with the picture. The picture is still in my room in Michigan where it inspired me throughout high school xc and track and when i was a d1 runner in college as well. May your son rest in peace, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family.

Mr. Shay

I didn't know your son personally, nor have I even met him. But after reading these posts and the stories about him on the message boards, i truly wish i had known him. I want you to know how sorry i am for you and that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thank you and God bless.

Chris

I think the sheer volume of positive posts on Let's Run has spoken louder than anything I could ever say. My condolences to you and those close to Ryan. Let's see an American gold in Bejing...

When I was a freshmen in high school, I had the opportunity to meet Ryan at the USA 8K Championship at Randall Island in New York City a little over 2 and a 1/2 years ago. I was just a tiny little boy who looked up to all those "fast" guys, and one of those "fast" guys was Ryan. Back in those days I would plant my head in front of the screen and you would most likely find myself locking eyes with Mensracing.com looking at pictures of big races and somehow I would always find that big tone tan muscular guy with sunglasses out front in all the pictures and would end up winning those races. That was Ryan. He was one of few guys I looked up to and as a freshmen being able to stand right beside him shake his hand and having a picture taken beside him overwhelmed me. He was so kind and I felt lucky to be able to be a part of his life even as a stranger. Now a senior in high school looking back on it, though I only met him for 2 minutes, those 2 minutes has changed my life and has made a huge impact to who I am today and I thank him for that. Mr. Shay, you have my prayers I wish your family the best.

I am very sorry for your loss. Your son/husband/brother was truly an amazing person. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Joe & Sue - We feel so honored to have known such a fine young man. He even made an wonderful impression on our grandson! We have always said that you did a find job raising your children with great values. Our hearts our heavy knowing only slightly what you, Alicia, and both families are going through. We are anxious to get to Leisure Lane and put our arms around you!

To the Shay family,

May God bless you all in your time of loss. I did not know Ryan personally, but from what I've seen of him over the years he was a truly special person with a true zest for life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

My deepest sympathy to the family. Ryan was an inspiration to me since high school. Rochester Hills' thoughts and prayers are with you.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan, his family, and wife Alicia. Ryan was the fiercest competitor I've ever met. Thank you Ryan for being with us, and inspiring all of us to live everyday with intensity and aspiration.

I just came back from a weekend in the woods with no TV or internet. I could not believe what I read as I came here today. It is obvious that Ryan touched many, many lives.

My prayers are with your family.

I have sat here and read through this thread with so many thoughts in my head three days in a row but no idea of what to say. Although I never met him, I knew very well of his accomplishments. I just want you to know of the incredible inspiration he was to me. I was at the trials and remember him passing me just past the 5 mile mark as I screamed his name. Though that is the only interaction I have ever had with your son he inspired me in so many ways. I want you to know that yesterday I ran the New York City Marathon in honor of him. The crazy thing is I wanted to drop out after four miles. Something just didn't feel right and I knew my goal of breaking 2:30 was out the window. Well as I ran and thought about the life he lived I decided that there was no way I wasn't crossing that finish line. As the miles faded by, my heartfelt prayers went out to your son. My legs burned and my joints ached but never again thought of quitting that race. Ryan never would have. He gave it his all each and every day, and in possibly the biggest race of his life, God called him home. I want you to know that in no way did I run his usual 2:14ish race but yesterday I crossed the finish line and did it for him. My prayers go out to your family and may you find comfort in that fact that your son touched so many lives. He will never be forgotten.....

I can only imagine the pain and shock you and your family must feel.

Although having never met your son I have felt a profound sadness for your loss and the running world's loss.

As you can see he touched many people, in a magnificent way.

The running community has a bond that runs through the heart of it. From the High School League Champion to the US Marathon Champion, there is a connect.

When people have asked me if I knew the man that died at the Trials I answered: no, not personally, let's just say it was a friend of a friend.

Your son achieved greatness and touched many in his short life, this is a huge loss.

God Speed Ryan.

My prayers go out to Ryans family.

I am so sorry about Ryan. I was at the trials that day and was around four miles, and I saw him pass. Than I heard the ambulances.

A true champion and great human being on and off the track. An inspirational athtle. My prayers will be with you. RIP