Return to : Archive

The world spins fast, ever-changing my perspective. Articles I'd long been preparing for this spot have been put on hold – and may never see the light of day. What I thought important two weeks ago has been paved over by layers of thought surrounding the events of the last six days.

Thoughts circling Emily's impressive run in her first marathon, Matt's multi-tasking heroics in New York, the North Attleboro School Committee voting to name the track in my honor – even the great 3Xmile track workout Arlene and I did Wednesday – must all be put on hold.

Because you see, Ryan Shay died. That's a fact that members of the running community have been trying to come to grips with. The New York Olympic Marathon Trials signaled the beginning of a new era in marathoning. - one where the US may play a prominent role.

It also saw the tragic end of a dream and life itself for one of the most dynamic runners of the new generation. Fewer than six miles into the Olympic qualifying race, one of the favorites crumpled to the pavement in cardiac arrest. The root cause of death is still a mystery. As much as those of us in the running community would like answers, we may never really know.

Even if we were to ask the right questions, the answers are mute. Because nothing will change. If there is solace to be found, it is that when he died, he was doing what he loved and loved what he was doing.

It is no secret that runners form a tight-knit community. This tragedy serves to magnify what already exists – runners respect, like and even admire their rivals. The sport has remained pure enough that for most the eye is on the prize instead of the paycheck. Better performance is the Holy Grail we all seek. Runners relate to the motivation of their rivals, thus a kinship is formed.

So it is with complete sincerity that the collective group we call runners – the elite, emerging and weekend warriors – have taken a step back to reflect upon and celebrate the life of Ryan Shay. The way one dies should not out-shadow the way one lives. And that appears to be the theme of the week. Though the questions about the circumstances of his death hover, most of the focus has been on stories about his indefatigable will and fearlessness, with occasional glimpses of his intellect and personal side. That is how it should be.

Distance runners are great thinkers and writers, perhaps because they spend time spent alone on a long run with only their thoughts to keep them company. Or perhaps there is a connection between unusual intellect and a desire to run. Whichever, the blogs, articles and personal recollections posted on message boards such as letsrun.com have been an eloquent tribute to Ryan Shay's life. I found none more stirring than that of Lauren Fleshman.

Whether you knew Ryan or not, it is tough not to be moved by the emotional outpouring from the running community within which we all belong. His death may not motivate you to bring pen to paper. But next time you go on a run – uptempo once in Ryan's memory – to honor a life devoted to running.