My Son Ryan Shay

Ryan has inspired so many people in the world, me included. He was a very special person to many people and he will be greatly missed. I am so sorry for your loss. The world has lost a beautiful person. RIP Ryan Shay we love you and miss you

If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane,

We would walk all the way to Heaven, to bring you home again

No farewell words were spoken, no time to say good-bye

You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why

Our hearts ache in sadness, and secret tears will flow

What is meant to lose you, no one will ever know

The sand of time are running low

And soon my loved ones I must go

My heart with love for you is filled

But soon its beating must be stilled

I leave no treasures of any kind

Only my love I leave behind

Take it and share it between sister and brother

And always be kind to one another

Weep not beside the grave for me

Don't bring me flowers I cannot see

Only my body lies beneath the cold dirt

Just pray that my soul has gone with God

Some of you perhaps may weep

When my eyes are closed in eternal sleep

But try to remember it won't be forever

For God can bring our spirits together

I pray that I go to a world far above

To be with the others that I love

And to wait awhile on that Heavenly plain

Until the day we shall meet again.

God bless Ryan for all that he did for the running community. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

-Jeff

Echoing the sentiments shared by Marc Striowski, I, too, have always been floored by Ryan's passion in every facet of his life. There were just no limits to his dedication. I remember sitting next to him in the dining hall freshman year and eating a waffle with ice cream on it. Shay looks over at me and goes, "wow, that looks so damn good. I wish I could have one." I said something like, "Well go get one then, it's not like it's going to make you fat." To which he said, "I know, but I can't have it. Every pleasure that I sacrifice will make it that much harder to give in to the pain during a race." That blew my mind. Here I am thinking 8 hours of sleep and limited alcohol intake are the "little things" needed to be good, and Shay's giving up ice cream in the hopes of gaining a mental edge. When he won the 10k in Eugene that spring that conversation was the first thing I thought of.

My senior year, Shay would come back to ND for weeks at a time to train, and he ended up living at our apartment for two months or so. During that time, I got to know Ryan on a much more personal level than I had before, and it always amazed me how a guy who had this larger than life persona could be so human. The memories of him not letting me go to bed without X hundred milligrams of vitamin C, or of him watching South Park and singing the Lemmiwinks song, or just making fun of Mobley (an excellent pasttime) are the ones I'll probably remember more so than any race he won or sub-5-minute-paced distance run he ever did at practice.

Another thing that left a major impression on me was the bond Ryan had with his brothers. Nate was on the team and the others would come to visit, and whenever he was around any of them (or even so much as spoke of them), that bond was impossible to ignore, and I've always admired it.

Ryan unparalleled passion for the sport could be seen in every aspect of his life. He was an awesome guy.

My thoughts are prayers are with Alicia, Nate, Casey, and the entire Shay Family. God Bless.

Brian Kerwin, Notre Dame '04

I am not sure whether I'd ever heard of Ryan before Saturday's awful news. I'm a runner (and a former Michigander) but don't keep up on the elite running world, obviously, or I'd have been familiar with his achievements. anyhow, I may not have known of Ryan before but I haven't been able to think about anything else since. I was out on an early morning run with my dad about 2.5 years ago...it was a beautiful, clear morning and we'd been out only a few minutes when he died without any warning. he was fit and healthy but his heart just stopped. so I can understand the awful shock and helplesness that you all must be feeling. my thoughts and best wishes are with you all. it sounds as if Ryan was an amazing guy. I like to think that he and my dad are out having a nice run in heaven...

Dearest Joe, Alicia, and all of Ryan's family: please accept my deepest sympathy for your unbelievable loss. Ryan's passing is a kick in the gut to the running community because he was such an outstanding person, first, and then a gifted, blessed athlete. He had a dream and attacked it with passion and grace. I was in NY at the Trials and felt the world pause as his shocking news spread. Many of us wore ribbons in his honor in the marathon the next day. I did not know your son, your husband, yet I knew him well. I do know where he is, and Heaven is a better place in his company. I will pray for you daily. He inspired us all to better ourselves. You all are to thank for that. God love you.

WM

Mr. Shay,

I was a competitor in the Trials and I witnessed Ryan's collapse. At the time, when I passed by him, I didn't think much of it as I didn't know who it was nor did I assume the worst. When I heard the news some time later, I felt a deep shock and sadness and I find it difficult to grasp this tragedy for the entire running community. I can't even imagine the pain your family must be going through. All I can say is that it was an incredible honor to be in this race with him and my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.

To the Shay family I offer my sympathy for your loss. It's such a tragedy to hear of such an elite athlete leaving this world too soon.

I'm hoping to run my first ever marathon next year in Chicago, and Shay is an inspiration to me and my running for how hard he works for his achievements. I don't think there is anyone more deserving of success then him, as he frequently showed how tough he was.

He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Hi I read the note about running 5.5 miles next weekend in memory of Ryan, I think this is a lovely idea.. i hope to take part in this and hope many other people will too across the world.. i'm in london.. his memory will live on

Dear family & friends of Ryan Shay.

My deepest condoleances, we are

also thinking about your loss in Holland.

May he rest in peace!

Mathijs

The Netherlands

I just want to express my deepest sympathy. Graduating from CL, such a small town, we all knew the Shay's and were very proud of their accomplishments as a running family. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers... RIP Ryan~

Being a sporty family we were shocked at Ryan's death, he sounded like a fantastic person as well as a runner.

" God's Garden must be beautiful, he only picks the best"

I saw Ryan run a small 12k in Gaylord, Michigan when he was in college. He was minutes ahead of everyone else yet he pushed himself to the max all the way. He could have easily jogged to the win, but that effort said so much to me about him as a runner and as a person. He will be sorely missed.

Rest in peace, Ryan, we will always remember your fire and determination.

To Alicia and the Shay family, and to all his friends, you have my deepest condolences. You were so lucky to have someone like Ryan, and I know he will always be with you, and with anyone who lives with such bravery as Ryan did.

As a former competitive marathon runner I still follow the running scene closely. I was so shocked when I heard that Ryan had passed away during the race. I never had the privilege of meeting him but am inspired by his strength and determination. I just want to pass on my heartfelt condolences to Alicia and the entire Shay family. I am so sorry for your loss.

Dear Mr. Shay, the Shay family and Alicia,

I wish to extend my deepest regrets to you and your family. It is times like this when we are reminded what is truly important in life. I did not know Ryan but it is obvious from this thread that he was a good person, a very good person - which it the highest praise there is. Each time I pass that spot in Central Park I will be reminded how Ryan's life inspired others and made the world a little better.

Sincerely,

David Katz

Technical Director/Course Designer

US Olympic Trials Marathon

It was with profound shock to receive the sudden death of Ryan Shay.Marathon running is like a family you embrace each other.this is a tragicin the world of marathon running our pryers go to his young wife and his family during this trying time.He will be watching over everyone of us during training and competition.

May you find comfort knowing Ryan touched the lives of those who knew him and, more importantly, those who never had the privilege.

I'm the typical post-collegiate runner from a NCAA Div. III school - I like to be fit and run a 5k or 10k here or there, but with my first half-marathon and all the hype and awareness leading up to the 2008 Trials Marathon I kind of thought to myself of trying to make the 2012 trials. This initial thought has been transformed to my primary running goal with the passing of Ryan. From what I've read, he used what God gave him to the absolute best of his abilities. Let's never take for granted our ability to go for quick ten-miler or even the fact we can get out of bed each day. I have no doubt that Ryan's life and death will continue to contribute to American distance running and the level that we aspire to be at. Being a newly-wed myself and previous student-athlete, I can appreciate the balance and the passion he gave to his whole life.

I never met Ryan but I admit I felt connected to him merely by virtue of having been an ND Alum and a runner. I always had heard he was a hard worker but I had no idea just how tough he was until I read the threads about him here. The fact that he befriended so many while inspiring so many more is a testament to his character.

Don't know that I have anything to add that hasn't already been said. Like the rest I am very affected by someone I never knew. All the good things in life seem permanently more precious to me now.