Tragedy has struck the running world. Admired athlete and talented runner, Ryan Shay has passed away. What is so terribly ironic about it, is that he died while running. Had a heart attack at the 5th mile of the Olympic Marathon Trials. The man was only 28 years old. Only 28 years old.
It's hard to grasp something so terrible, so terrifying. How I felt so bad for the poor woman who had to announce his death. And the three runners that will be running in the marathon, they broke down in tears as well. I don't know how I would feel if I were in their shoes. They looked up to the man as an influence, a hero. He helped pave their way to success. To be sitting there in your triumph and glory one moment, the next you find out your hero is dead. It's absolutely tragic. I don't know how you handle that.
Some may find the phrase disgusting, but I am intending to use this in the best of context, that at least he died doing something he loved. There was no doubt that it shouldn't have happened, and I'm not trying to influence that perhaps that makes up for the loss. No, I'm not using it as a band aid to cover up the bruise most of the running world is feeling right now. I'm saying, although I do not wish to die at this young age, if I had to pick how to die, I would choose to die while running. Running sets me free. When I run, I feel unstoppable. I feel confident, strong, and yes, beautiful, even with the sweat dripping down my face. There is something exhilarating about running. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I would chose for it to be the last feeling I could feel.
Ryan will be so very missed. His influence on the running world is one that will stand the tests of time. Steve Prefontaine passed away in the seventies at the young age of 24. To this day, we still remember him. And in thirty years and more from now, we will still remember Ryan Shay.
It's hard to grasp something so terrible, so terrifying. How I felt so bad for the poor woman who had to announce his death. And the three runners that will be running in the marathon, they broke down in tears as well. I don't know how I would feel if I were in their shoes. They looked up to the man as an influence, a hero. He helped pave their way to success. To be sitting there in your triumph and glory one moment, the next you find out your hero is dead. It's absolutely tragic. I don't know how you handle that.
Some may find the phrase disgusting, but I am intending to use this in the best of context, that at least he died doing something he loved. There was no doubt that it shouldn't have happened, and I'm not trying to influence that perhaps that makes up for the loss. No, I'm not using it as a band aid to cover up the bruise most of the running world is feeling right now. I'm saying, although I do not wish to die at this young age, if I had to pick how to die, I would choose to die while running. Running sets me free. When I run, I feel unstoppable. I feel confident, strong, and yes, beautiful, even with the sweat dripping down my face. There is something exhilarating about running. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I would chose for it to be the last feeling I could feel.
Ryan will be so very missed. His influence on the running world is one that will stand the tests of time. Steve Prefontaine passed away in the seventies at the young age of 24. To this day, we still remember him. And in thirty years and more from now, we will still remember Ryan Shay.
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