Ryan shay died?

CASE...

I did not know your brother, I wish I had, but I am devastated noe the less. My kids and I have you, and your family in our prayers. I wish there was something magical I can say but I can not. If he was a christian as it appears to be, then i know he is sitting at the Lords table dining with our Lord and his son Jesus the christ.

God Bless,

from CO

Jason

Holinka,

Yeah I remember you bro. Thanks for the words. It really isnt fair. I wish I could take his place.

Oddsmaker wrote:

I agree. Ryan's death only makes me want to run more.

Exactly, the joy and light of his life far outshines any level of sadness I might feel. Wish he were still around, of course, but I like to look at the positive that it's better that we had someone like him around for a little bit than never at all.

The last time I visited home, he was really turning his faith around. Alicia is a great person of faith as well. I also feel Ryan Hall and his wife were great people Ryan admired as well.

I hope he fell in love with our creator before this happened.

Case- your brother was an absolute stud. I cant think of many who could push as hard as Ryan Shay. A wonderful athlete and young man.

I'll do my best to send you a humorous Ryan story Case.

I don't remember when in college, but he went of to run in the US Junior X-Country Championships. When he came back to campus, he had all this USATF track gear that he wore in an almost annoying frequency. But it was like a kid getting a new toy that he never wanted to let go. I think that was your brother's first taste of international competition and he just wore a huge smile every time he wore that USATF gear. I actually just started calling him U.S.Shay all the time and heard it even made it's way to a license plate. I think he was really proud of competing for the US and I was definitely proud to be on the same team as such a guy.

I'm glad I did not witness it. People seemed to be acting somber, but I didn't know why at first. Then wejo told me about what happened and I was in complete shock. I still am. I did my best not to bawl my head off. I've had a strange mix of emotions today. While I am so happy for Hall, Ritz, and Sell, I feel somewhat guilty for celebrating after what happened to Shay.

CASE SHAY wrote:

The last time I visited home, he was really turning his faith around. Alicia is a great person of faith as well. I also feel Ryan Hall and his wife were great people Ryan admired as well.

I hope he fell in love with our creator before this happened.

Hi Case,

I'm so sorry to hear what happened. Joy and I (and the family) send our prayers and hopes that you all can find comfort during this terrible time.

You asked for something funny... I am not sure if this qualifies, but it's at least a good memory. Ryan was visiting you one weekend - I think he was in 8th grade, or maybe a HS freshman. It was a Saturday morning and he was watching whatever cartoons were on down in the lobby of Simpson. You introduced me to him and amongst our small talk, he had mentioned that he wanted to run for a college like you. Of course, I had just met him, and I am not really sure why I said this, but I said something to the effect of, "Well, I am not sure if you'll be able to... in distance running, you have to be willing to work hard for it." The reason I remember saying this is because it was less than a year later that he was putting up some impressive times for a HSer... at least good enough for me to remember what I had said and to consider that he probably knew how to work decently hard, afterall. Of course, we all know how he only got so much better from there. Not only did he work exceptionally hard, but he was such a gutsy racer, too. It's ironic - funny you might say - that I said those words to him, but then in the years to follow, he would humble me in action. Obviously, he wasn't TRYING to humble me or prove to me he was made of the right stuff... I am sure he forgot about our conversation two days later. But, his inspiring running humbled me in that it effectively turned my own words back to me. Am I willing to work hard? Will I choose a passionate approach to life? The young man who I was doubtfully questioning that day sure did.

I won't ever forget Ryan even though I met him one just one time for all of 10minutes (he was SO skinny then (smile)). And, of course, Joy and I won't ever forget you, Case. Take Care.

Jay

Thanks for this post.

Many of you may have seen this thread already, but in case you haven't:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=2204154

I encourage you to dedicate your run tomorrow to Ryan Shay; it's an incredibly fitting way to honor a hard-working, talented, tough, and inspiring competitor.

Thanks for being an inspiration, Ryan, even to those of us who know you only by reputation. Your wife, family, and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.

Not sure if this has been posted yet...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Top distance runner Ryan Shay died during the U.S. men's Olympic marathon trials Saturday, and his father, Joe, said he was first diagnosed with a larger than normal heart at age 14.

Joe Shay told The Associated Press his son was cleared for running this spring by doctors but was told he might have need a pacemaker when he is older.

And years ago, after a car accident as a 16-year-old, Joe Shay said doctors re-evaluated Ryan's heart and determined it had gotten even larger. Each time, he said, they believed it was because Ryan was a runner.

"But he never complained about it," Joe Shay said.

Ryan Shay collapsed about 5 1/2 miles into the race. He was 28.

"I got a call that Ryan had fallen down ... then I got another call that his heart had stopped," said Joe Shay, who got the call while driving to Michigan's state cross country competition.

MORE...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/olympics/11/03/bc.oly.marathon.death.ap/index.htm

It's funny, but about two weeks ago I had a mild argument with Ryan on the phone trying to convince him that he needed to step back from running and take and exagerated amount of time off (like 3 months of absolutely no running).

His response was "I'll give my self two consecutive easy days if I don't feel recovered from my workout." But, that's Ryan. Intense and obedient.

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.

Ryan wasn't perfect, but it isn't the bad things that bring people together. It's the good things. And I think it's safe to say that a lot of people can agree with me, Ryan's mannerisms of love have finally shown through. Not just with his running, but with every breath he took until the end. I LOVE YOU RYAN!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

case,

i remember back to when you came up to live in south bend during ryan's senior year of college. i could always tell from the way ryan spoke of you that he held you in high regard and loved you very much. i remember how his face would light up whenever we would chant your name at parties. casey shay! casey shay! even after college, when we would hang out, he loved talking about you. his loyalty and love for running could only be matched by that for his family.

there's so much that has been said about ryan so far. i think anyone that hung around him for an extended period of time can tell a legendary story about his work ethic and personality. one story that stands out in my mind about ryan was when he stayed at my house in san diego over winter break. during that time i would try and go on distance runs with him, but like many, my body couldn't handle 100+ mile weeks at 5:40 avg mile pace. nearly 1 week into the break my body was tanked from trying to run with him. i ended up taking a few days really easy prior to running a local 5k, set-up to celebrate the holiday bowl. ryan decided to run the race with me. nearly 2 miles in we had clearly broken away from the rest of the field and at any point ryan could've obviously blown the doors off. however, he suggested we tie and i gladly accepted the offer. we ended up crossing the line together. the winner of the race was allowed to ride in the "champions chair" on a float during the holiday bowl parade. the parade official said only one of us could go even though we had tied. ryan refused that idea and demanded that we both get to ride on the float. after speaking his mind to the parade official for a while they decided to let the both of us ride on the float with the caveat that one person would have to kneel behind the "champions chair" and basically not be seen. even though we tied in the race, ryan technically got the win. i thought it kind of ridiculous to go in front of him in the finish shoot since he let me tie him. in any event, ryan insisted that i get to sit in the chair. he ended up kneeling behind me on the float the entire parade. this small gesture by him really exemplified his kindness. however ferociously competitive he could be on the track and he was a very warm and kind friend off it.

hi case,

my thought amd prayers, go out to you and your family.

ramon

Zee,

I love you for that man......thanks for being there for Ryan. He spoke of you too. I've seen pictures of you hanging out with Ryan in Cali and at the wedding. Your family to us bro.

I just wish he would come back for a little longer.

Thanks Ramon.

zee wrote:

to go in front of him in the finish shoot

"chute"

I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to Ryan. I was on the way to watch the Oregon state xc meet when I heard the news on the radio. It's a terrible thing, and my heart goes out to the family. I read in the newspaper this morning that one of the winning teams in the meet yesterday ran the race with 'RS' written on their shoulders. A great tribute to a great person and runner.

Case, I hate for us to meet again under these circumstances, but I will be there for you and yours. If there is anything I can do, or if you need a ride or anything when you get back from Korea, you let me know. I am in South Bend right now. Remember that time we went off-roading in the S10 down south of the city? It was late at night, totally dark out, you were driving, and we followed a trail until it came to a clearing. There, you started whipping shitties in this muddy field as Ryan and I held on and screamed like little girls... we skidded to a stop about 5 feet from a huge hole that nearly swallowed the truck! It turns out it was a construction site and they were building a foundation, so there was a 15-foot-deep hole about 50'x50' across. Man, that was great. Afterwards we hit up the Kwik-e-mart for some beef jerky. To the guy who wrote the post below:I don't know if you knew Ryan, but he was at one point a big Jimmy Eat World fan, especially the Clarity album, and would have appreciated the reference.

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