My Son Ryan Shay

I was on the Farm Team when Travis Landreth died on a tempo run in 2001. That was one of the more awful days of my life. When I saw Letsrun Saturday, it all came back. I remember Ryan from a few meets at Stanford, and watching him run from a distance in Mammoth. There are a lot of people you meet as a runner, who become vague shapes or voices from warmups or cooldowns at meets, or just names from the results. His was one of the names you read on the entry list at Stanford, or Mt. Sac, and you'd think to yourself, 'good, that is going to be a legit, tough race. That guy is tough.' He was unafraid to lead a 10k, which to me seemed far lonelier than leading a marathon. I say his name now and I feel the respect that we had for him because of the way he ran. Watching Ryan run, you understood that he did better what we all were trying to do: push ourselves right up to our limits, then push farther.

I think of Travis every time I run, and wish I had really appreciated him while he was alive. I am thinking that now about Ryan.

I lost my best friend, who was an distance runner like myself, to an enlarged heart. Reading Ryan's story brings me back to his death, and how tragic and suprising this condition is. My thoughts and prayers are with the Shea family as myself and the rest of the running community grieve over the loss of one of the American Great's.

RIP bro

I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you. I am a marathon runner and was watching the NBC Coverage when I found out and it really broke my heart. I am just an average runner but I feel that we are all part of a community, and although I'd only heard of Ryan a couple of times I feel very saddened by his death. I hope you can all find comfort in one another and in God. My deepest condolonces are with you.

Alison Wade (formerly of mensracing/fastwomen, now of eliterunning) compiled an impressive gallery of Ryan's career from her photo archives.

http://eliterunning.com/photos/index.php?g2_itemId=105451&g2_page=10

I was blown away by the number of times he was willing to take the early lead of an incredibly talented pack. Even by surfing these photos - which are only quick snapshots into his decorated (yet too short) career - you can tell he must have been one of the gutsiest, most passionate runners to hit the track on any given day. It seemed like he was scared of no one, no matter what the name on the bib read.

I found this thread and the gallery extremely inspiring. While I had only heard vague stories of Ryan from a high school teammate who went on to run for ND, the postings here have truly been incredible insight as to what an incredible man your son, husband, friend, brother and teammate must have been.

Your family is in my prayers.

It is very sad to look at the photos of such a warrior who has left us.

A sad loss to the sport and will be missed highly, my thoughts are with his wife and family, R.I.P x x

Through this difficult time, we are praying for Alicia and the Shay family. I gave a talk at the 2004 Olympic Trials chapel. Alicia and Sara Hall were there when I shared about the bear chasing me into a lake on a run and keeping me there for a time. May God grant Alicia and the Shay family peace at this time.

Matthew 5:4Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

In this world comes joy with trials mixed in. Some day, Christians can rest in His arms totally. We can rest in His promises.

Sorry for not getting this message on sooner as I was working on the Bible dispute at the Olympic village in Beijing.

Steve and Liz McConkey, 4 Winds President,

www.4wca.org

There's a great picture of Shay and T-Will. Two warriors from different generations battling it out on the track.

Joy , I was truly sorry to hear about Ryan. He was a GREAT person . I'm glad I was able to meet him ,when he and Nate brought the information about my Shay T-bird to Valparaiso . I dug out the pictures I took of them next to MY T-Bird , and have them sitting on my desk . My prayers are with you and your family . Steve Clemens

Mr. Shay,

It's truly amazing the outpouring of support and prayers for you, Alicia and your family on this board. After reading many of the news articles this past week, I've been amazed at the tremendous dedication of your son to his sport and his desire to compete and secure a spot on the US team in Beijing.

Although Ryan's quest to make the Olympic marathon will not be realized, at least in body, the thought occurred to me that maybe he can in spirit through all of us.

With your concurrence, I think it would be wonderful if this thread could continue, with a new posting every day by a fellow runner with a story, thought, or prayer, until the day of the Olympic Marathon. Maybe then, your son's spirit will give strength to those on the starting line that morning and Ryan will compete through them.

In any event, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jeff

I never met Ryan and I possibly never would have, but because of all of your stories, I now know him better than I know certain people whom I consider to be close friends.

Even after his death, Ryan is still touching people on an intimate level. I will wear a gold band on my singlet in tomorrow's race and keep a gold band in my mind for my life's marathon. Thanks, Ryan.

Mr. Shay, Alicia, the Shay family, the Craig family, and all of Ryan's friends;

I am so sorry for your loss. The stories I've read about Ryan this week have given me a glimpse into the life of a man who was loyal, brave, hard-working, and intense. These are qualities that distance runners everywhere value. It struck me that Ryan so perfectly embodied the ethic of the American distance runner. All of us who pour our hearts and souls into something (whether it's running or some other pursuit) have been touched by the loss of Ryan Shay.

Since I first began following Ryan's career in 2001, I have always felt that he was a runner whose competitive ferocity was worthy of praise. We can look at photographs of Ryan in races and practically feel the intensity emanating from his eyes. Ryan, I think, was well-respected in the running community because he embodied the work ethic and competitive spirit that we all desire to possess. In general American distance runners tend to present a very positive public image, and no one more so than Ryan. He will be remembered as a man who truly personified the values of hard work, loyalty, and bravery. We will miss Ryan Shay the runner, but as we hear the stories of Ryan's mettle, his intensity, and his honesty; we mourn Ryan Shay the man.

As Ryan's family and friends, this loss is truly yours. It is hard to imagine what you are going through this week, but the thoughts and prayers of the running community across America and beyond are with you in this difficult time.

You have my thoughts and prayers,

Eliot

i first remember reading about ryan in 1995 in the petoskey news-review, in an article accompanying the photo on the front of the sports section concerning his duel with a runner from charlevoix. i think he ran 4:19 on an asphalt track, and was barely edged at the line. he would have been in 10th grade, 15 or 16, and eveything everyone has said here concerning his tenacity and drive was embodied in that 1600m race more than 12 years ago. that that same drive and determination carried him into his last moments here says something which i cannot. he has been an inspiration, in some sense or another from that day on.

thanks ryan

At first I hesitated to write this post, but I think that it's something too good to not share with the Shay family and Alicia.

After our National Champs 1/2 marathon here, which Ryan had won, we were waiting for the awards ceremony to begin. (Of added interest is that the course is so difficult, it's record is almost 4 minutes slower than the world record, so does it surprise you any that Ryan won both years we hosted the Champs, and his better time is only 47 seconds slower than the course record, set by an Olympic Marathoner!)

Anyhow, my wife and I were visiting with an acquaintance who is a good local female, young and single, and continued to be distracted by the elite guys a couple benches away. I finally decided to ask Ryan and Josh Cox, undoubtedly the best looking of the field (and two that could almost pass as brothers) to come over and surprise this girl with a photo and, as we took it, a kiss on both cheeks. They agreed, and this girl was floating afterwards. I thought that was enough of an imposition, but my wife stepped up and said they weren't going anywhere until she had a picture taken with them, too. Needless to say, that photo is something so special to us now. It also makes me realize what patience that Ryan must have had, to go along with such requests, when it would just be enough to run the race, then head for the airport. The look in his eyes in this photo again burns with the intensity of one who savored every moment of life. We are the better for having met him. You are blessed.

I'd just like to add my sincere condolences from over here in England.

Dear Shay Family,

I never met Ryan. I am acquainted with people who knew him and had heard many stories about his toughness and his passion for running and competition. This week I have learned about his passion for family, friends, and life. His life story is an inspiration to me. I hope I can pass on Ryan's passion to my children.

God Bless You.

Peace,

Bob

To the Shay Family,

I never had the pleasure of meeting Ryan, but I did witness him storming down Beacon Street during the 2005 Boston Marathon. This was an awesome day for American distance running. My prayers are with you.

Dear Mr and Mrs Shay, Alicia, and Ryan's close friends, fellow runners and coaches:

I am very sorry that the running and the sports community has lost this terrific ambassador. May he rest in peace, and may his memory inspire many to make a change in their community, and in turn inspire kids and adolescents for a fruitful and healthy life. We've seen that there will be a 5.5 mile run somewhere in his honor, hope the place becomes available to many. We'd like to join by running and/or supporting the event.

truly sorry for your loss.