R.I.P, Ric Sayre

Glycerin Runner wrote:

2 words; Ed Whitlock.

Could be considered a genetic freak, or perhaps he is the norm; the very unfortunate are those predisposed to heart related issues.

Very different life patterns. To my understanaing, Mr. Whitlock competed as a teen and then picked up the sport again in his late 40's.

Mr Sayre began competing as a teen, then trained consistently and intensely enough to make five marathon Olympic trials in his 20's/30's, then continued training/racing into his fifties.

The latter life pattern may have greater hazards for causing the type of heart damage that has been shown in some lab studies on rats subjected to intense training.

Definitive, no, but for those of us in Mr Sayre's age group and with similar life/training/racing history, certainly cause for concern and reflection.

I remember Ric from racing in Ohio when I was young. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

As a person who still runs and raced for 35 years, the heart issue really concerns me.

That is sad news.

For some reason I am reminded of the recent passing of Larry Olsen...did Rick have an undiagnosed medical condition?

This is a difficult topic in this sad and tragic context.

But everyone who has any inkling of chest pain or discomfort should visis a cardiologist. I have had two stress echocardiograms performed at different hospitals over the past eight years because of a significant EKG finding that turned out in both instances to be an artifact. I recently asked a cardiologist friend (who did not perform the stress echoes) whether a stress echo that lasts only 17 or 18 minutes on the treadmill really can show damage or abnormalities that might have clinical impact after a much longer period of running. His answer was that for very fit individuals, staying on the machine for longer than that time period because a fitness test, not a test for underlying abnormalities. But if anyone has EKG issues or chest pain, get the stress echo, not just the treadmill test, it reveals a good deal more as to what is happening with your coronary arteries.

This is great advice - I had a stress test that revealed nothing, then a follow up echo test two weeks later and was on the operating table the next day.

Ric was only more exceptional as a person than he was as a runner. Ric would never choose to do track work, but would always help out a training partner if asked. Ric would often get me into races that I didn't deserve to be in, because he believed I would out perform expectation. Ric once choose to stay at the Cockroach Inn (don't remember the name, but it was dumpy) with me, instead of the up scale place the race director got him a room. Ric wanted his training partners in the Runners World spread with him. Ric watched me complete my 35th consecutive Pear Blossom Run, and my 12 Y/O daughters... As excited as the days when we were faster. He was very excited for my daughter, and was kind enough to take photos of us finishing. In true Ric fashion, he eMailed them soon after with the kind words only a lifetime friend could muster. Ric spoke kindly of everyone, and shared his backyard of trails with anyone who asked. He was quick to lend a hand and rarely asked for anything. His philosophy on training and racing was shared with more people than he could ever imagine. Ric, I miss you so much.

Kenny White

Too much oxidation does in another running addict. 3 times a week after your competitive days is plenty.

Sorry to hear of the passing of Ric. I had the pleasure to run with him several times in Northern CA during the early 80's. Ric was the real deal. May he R.I.P.

Dr. O wrote:

Too much oxidation does in another running addict. 3 times a week after your competitive days is plenty.

Good point. I'm 44 and that's about all I do. Don't have the drive to compete but I miss it. Ric and some of the old time Akron guy's like Hlinka never walked away from that. Alan Scharsu who recently posted I bet still does workouts and races as hard as he's capable of. It may or may not be healthy after 30 years but I'll say again, I miss it. I don't blame them.

I remember Ric from Akron in the late 70s... although he was one of the big dogs, he was always friendly and encouraging. A great runner and a genuinely nice person.

I am shocked and sad to hear of Ric's passing. I had the opportunity to go for a run with him when he returned to Ohio for a visit and from my limited experience everything about him related by others seemed true.

He was an inspiration to me and many others on the team at Walsh. I used to look at the photos and results that Coach McCallion had in his office and hear the stories of Ric's training and racing. As a runner who never broke 10:00 for 2 miles in high school I often thought of Ric Sayre's dedication and resilience and it helped motivate me to stay focused on my running and eventually find improvement beyond my expectations.

And knowing how well and consistently Ric performed in his 30's and beyond inspired me to continue to train and race and set PR's while in my 30's.

RIP Ric Sayre. My condolences to your friends and family. You certainly left your mark.

Here is a classic photo from a collegiate cross country race.

http://www.walsh.edu/crosscountry

One more:

http://www.ohio.com/news/legendary-marathoner-sayre-dies-following-run-1.215798?localLinksEnabled=false

Never really knew who he was but when I was a senior at Hidden Valley High School he came over from Ashland to give us an motivational speech. An amazing person that will truly be missed.

"He was quick to lend a hand and rarely asked for anything."

Now THAT is pretty much the best thing that can be said about anybody.

Sorry you lost a good friend.

I ran an age graded race in Jacksonville, Oregon a couple years ago and lost to Ric. I didn't mind so much.

He is an important part of the southern Oregon running scene that includes Leonard Hill, Max King, the Julian family, and more.

He will be missed but not soon forgotten.

Ric was world class in every way. so sad

I don't understand why Letsrun doesn't have any information about Ric on the main page. He has obviously touched a lot of people's lives. I know he never made it to the Olympics or set any records. What is amazing; however, is that he inspired us without these feats! Come on Letsrun, let's give Ric his due!

Ive known Ric since he moved to Ashland in 1982. One of the best people you will ever have the chance to meet. Back in the earlier years I would run into Ric on the toothpick trail and he would run with me as we chatted about life. He never seemed to mind that my running pace was at least 2 min a mile slower than his. So hard to accept this. Cant control my tears as i think of him.

little Ric Sayre trivia: Ric was also very artistic. He made a beautiful stained glass piece of art for me that is hanging in my office as i type. It shows four dolphins playing in a colorful sea with blue sky above.

Represents the playfulness and the zest for life that Ric had inside himself.

i love you chuck

I'm 50 years old - been traing and racing hard since age 13, D1 etc... with a very bad family history of heart attacks - mom, dad both died before age 55.

Although I've never had symptoms and my parents never took care of their health, I just scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist.

RIP Ric Sayre, hopefully your tragic death will motivate some of us to take extra care.