My Son Ryan Shay

Saturday morning I'd just finished running my very first marathon. I rushed home to see how Ryan did in the Olympic Qualifying Marathon only to see that it was his last. I cried all day for a man who so inspired so many of us: I'm sorry I'll never have the priviledge of meeting him.

God bless you all in this time of sorrow.

I am posting for a second time on this thread after having more time to think. I never knew Ryan personally (sat in the same room with him at a convention and race once or twice but that's it), but this news has affected me all week. I am an ex-(regional level)-runner, reporter and now coach. I covered the 1998 Chris Severy story in Boulder and that was similarly painful only perhaps more shocking. Worst day of my life as a reporter.

Like the many crystalline lights randomly sparkling from the purest diamond, everyone posting from the heart on here creates a unique facet and shaft of brilliant light within a glorious jewel that reflects the life of Ryan Shay. He will be missed so, so much. Still, know that all of you are helping to heal the pain just a little bit. This diamond of remembrance is the only gift we can offer the Shays right now. It is a very precious gift to Ryan, his family, and all who loved him. It will lighten their burden and help sustain them through their grief.

Know that we care. Know that we will pray and pull for all of you. Know that we would do anything to bring Ryan Shay back. And know that we will do anything possible to make things easier for you in any way. All you have to do is ask and we will all be there for you as one.

Carl Rose

TO you, the dear family of Ryan, I offer my deepest sympathy. I only knew your son by his hard work resulting in his many accomplishments. I admired him greatly. As a fellow runner & marathoner we are indeed a family united in our love of the run and when one is lost the entire family suffers. I believe Pre & Fixx and all the other greats were right there to welcome Ryan to Heaven's race. I am just an ordinary person from Easton, Md.;but right now my heart and prayers are with all of you. Pat

I'm a member of the running and Notre Dame family. I aspire to be part of the hard-worker family. Ryan Shay\'s example will be one that can provide guidance the rest of my life. These testimonials and stories are some kind of tribute to a young man. I\'ve never mourned like this for someone that I never met. My condolences on a devastating loss.

God Bless you Mr. Shay and your family, and may he help you through this time. your son was a great inspiration as many have already said, and he will not be forgotten by any of us.

I'm also a runner, and an ND alum. I graduated well before Ryan, but we're all part of the same ND family. I sent a request to Campus Ministry to light a candle at the Grotto for Ryan and Alicia and all of your family and friends. It was all I could think of to do. God bless you all, and RIP Ryan.

You are in my thoughts and prayers, run in peace Ryan Shay.

Mr. Shay and the Shay family...

I had the opportunity to get to know Ryan when my wife and I invited him to the National Championships for the Half Marathon in Kansas City. Ryan was always so gracious and such a pleasure to work with and have in our race...Ryan went out of his way to show his gratitude to the event and his appreciation for our support...I know on several occasions after that Ryan would see my wife at Running USA Conferences and again he was very nice...It was obvious that he was a great runner but the measure of the man comes from his inward being and that showed with as much greatness as his running...

We were both saddened and our prayers for peace are with you and the family...

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May God Bless you.

My condolences to the entire Shay and Craig families. I was at the Michigan state cross country finals when my brother, who raced against Ryan in college, called and gave me the horrible news. I could not believe the American Racing community lost an icon. Ryan was a phenomenal running and sounds like an even better human. We should all strive to be like Ryan!

I'd like to express my condolences to the Shays and to the Craigs.

I was honored to work with Ryan on two national teams--the 2005 world half marathon championship squad in Edmonton, and this year's world cross country championship team in Mombasa.

We were the last two people from the US team to arrive in Edmonton for the world half, and were waited on by a volunteer to take us to our hotel, but we had to wait a few more minutes for two more passengers, who turned out to be Hicham El Guerrouj and his agent (Hicham was the IAAF athletes rep for this event)!

He was thrilled to sit in the back seat with Hicham!

I was also impressed with Ryan's leadership qualities in Mombasa, and how he made some of the junior runners feel like they were a part of this team.

I am honored to have known Ryan.

PS--I hope someone out there can pass this note on to Hicham...

To the Shay family,

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Like many previous posters I never met Ryan, but I was fortunate enough to have the privilege of running against him and watching him compete at many collegiate races. His effort and toughness were unmatched. In a sport rife with controversy he was the type of athlete so often lost. His dedication is what sport is all about... He did it right. He showed us all what can be accomplished with effort.

I leave with this... something which epitomizes the way so many of us (I hope) will remember Ryan...

"We measure ourselves by many standards. Our strength and our intelligence, our wealth and even our good luck, are things which warm our heart and make us feel ourselves a match for life. But deeper than all such things and able to suffice unto itself without them, is the sense of the amount of effort we can put forth... He who can make none is but a shadow; he who can make much is a hero." -- William James

Ryan you were a hero and an inspiration to so many... Run in Peace Ryan... we will miss you

I am SO sorry. I cried when I read this at work. I feel a connection with Ryan. Back in the day I was a decent marathoner with a 2:34:20. Ryan was a special one...

My deepest condolences to the Shay family. I had the privilege of meeting Ryan at the 2005 USA 15k championships. While I just met him once, he is a fellow runner and a member of our community and his passing deeply saddens me. We can all see a bit of ourselves, our teammates and our loved ones in him. My thoughts and heart goes out to the Shay family and Alicia. I'm off for a couple late solo miles in remembrance.

Dave Jirousek

"Maximize your potential" -Ryan Shay

I never knew Ryan, and because I'm from Australia I only started to hear about him being a hope of making the US Olympic team when I started visiting letsrun.

After I heard the news, for the rest of the day I was in tears. I guess that even though I didn't know much about him, we were both in the running community and that is why I felt so much grief.

As suggested in another thread, on Monday I dedicated my run to Ryan. I had been out all day, and when I got home, going for a run was the last thing I felt like doing. But then I remembered today I was going to run for Ryan, and all of a sudden I had boundless motivation to get out the door. I think that dedicating it to him helped me come to terms a little with what happened.

Its such a tragedy for this to happen to such a young man with his whole life ahead of him. Reading through this thread just highlights what an amazing guy he was, both as runner and a human being.

To his family, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts, and I hope everyone's love and support can help comfort you in this difficult time.

Sim.

I am impressed by the strong bond and friendship of the running community, and I was always impressed by Ryan Shay. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Mr. Shay

Over these last few days my runs have seemed to have more purpose, deeper meaning and are more inspiring. In my mind I run as fast as Hall, find myself bobbing my head like Paula...

but more importantly I find myself running, just running for the love of it. When I run run for the love of it I think of your son.

all the best

thoughts from Canada

My deepest condolences to you and your family. You are constantly in my thoughts. Ryan is such an inspiration, I will always remember him. I hope many more will now run well and raise awareness and funds for cardiac research as a tribute to Ryan and his spirit.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and all those mourning the passing of Ryan...I'm so sorry for your loss.