Life of "Ryans"

December 19, 2007

A month ago Ryan died and a month ago Ryan won. I have always thought that running had the power to teach important life lessons. I felt that we weren't running miles or racing laps, just for the sake of it. I always considered it to be a training ground for life in that the values learned on the trails and the track would be invaluable. Now, after the tragedy and triumph found at the U.S. Olympic trials, I find myself asking "where is the lesson this time? And what it does it all mean?

In that early morning light, I recall running by Shay and specifically worrying about how unnatural his body looked on that Central Park pavement. Something wasn't right about that injury and literally something was not right as it's always hard to deal with the death of young man in the prime of his life.

I also ran with Hall this summer through the soft woods of Belgium. He was gracious and appalled that I never wore a watch. We shared running war stories. Me, a 9:52 high school two miler with no pressure on my career. Him, the next great American distance hopeful. Anything I would do was icing. Anything he didn't do was a disappointment.

Shay is the workhorse.

And while Hall works hard, he is the gazelle.

For a month I have tried to hide behind a post-race party binge, not to mention some half ass law school studies, all of which was an attempt to avoid some deep thinking about two men that went in two different directions on that November morning. I am attempting to take something from each of the "Ryans", as I feel each has precious lessons to give. Whether the lesson is learned in victory or defeat, we can still learn.

Ryan Hall has escalated himself to the top of American distance running and along with the help of guys like Webb, Teg, and Ritz, these men are knocking on the door of the world scene. As for Hall, I appreciate his honesty more than anything else. While his love for God may be beyond my passion for religion, he never backs down from his beliefs. One of those beliefs is that of his own god given talent; Hall can flat out fly, and at the trials we saw that high-school hopeful fulfill his destiny. From Hall, we can take away the persistence that life requires when faced with adversity. Hall ran and lived the peaks and valleys of those Mammoth Mountains and the entire time he kept the faith. We have all been up and down in running. And we have all been up and down in life. Right now, from Hall, we can take faith.

After the death of Ryan Shay, I think the outpouring of grief over his passing reveals the legacy that he left in his short time with us. It shows the power of the athlete that dies too young, but not in vain. I didn't know Ryan Shay well, but it's clear that he experienced life as hard and as full as possible. He trained hard, he raced with incredible heart, and that heart seemed to be full of outrageous love. Love not only for Alicia, but for his family, friends, and teammates. Further, Joe Shay, Ryan's father, has been an inspiration and a model on how to honor the life of a son. He is so grateful, but I wonder if he realizes how grateful we are? And I wonder how do we honor Ryan Shay to the extent of his father? I now believe the workhorse left a blueprint for all of us. In his honor, I suggest we follow it to fruition. And its not about giving moneyâ€¦but if you have some, why not.

I think we need to live the life of Ryan. I don't care what you do, but it might be time go for it. It might be time to say I am going to Flagstaff and I am going to be good as I can be. It might be time for you to open that business or propose to that longtime girlfriend. It might be time to stop screwing around at your job and either quit or take that place over. It might even be time to go back to school and become great. Whatever it is, just find out what YOU got. Find out because Shay did, and it turns out he had a lot. I think we need to live life now and we need to live it like the workhorse. It's cheesy and it's clichÃ© but it's what he would want. What do you want? Shay would say go get it and then let Hall remind you to keep the faith when it gets tough. Live the life of "Ryans"

Post a Comment

#18	Andres Padilla September 19, 2008 at 2:44am Great read! This is a good eye opener and you really put it well into perspective. reply
#17	Scot_Breithaupt January 11, 2008 at 12:47pm real good article! JT this is solid reply
#16	Carl_x December 22, 2007 at 10:45am powerful reply
#15	Muffintop_x December 19, 2007 at 9:56pm Wonderful essay. Thanks for sharing these thoughts. reply
#14	Pasadena December 19, 2007 at 8:11pm Yo, that was nice. reply
#13	Cara Hawkins December 19, 2007 at 6:00pm That took my breathe away and at the same time made tears come to my eyes. reply
#12	Morgan Osmond December 19, 2007 at 5:26pm perfect reply
#11	Kara June December 19, 2007 at 4:20pm JT, you're the best! You know what to say and when to say it (most of the time). =) Thank you for helping us keep our lives and goals in perspective. reply
#10	Jerald Krauthamer December 19, 2007 at 4:10pm Well done them. Well done you. Thanks. reply
#9	Jeff Abbott December 19, 2007 at 3:38pm Very nice article and well written. Thanks. reply
#8	Runsaul_x December 19, 2007 at 2:59pm WOW! That was deep. Thanks for those words. reply
#7	JollyJogger December 19, 2007 at 1:26pm Thanks a lot JT, very inspiring. reply
#6	Bryon Lamorandier December 19, 2007 at 1:24pm Well done JT. Those are some very powerful words that should be embraced by us all. reply
#5	Andrew ORourke December 19, 2007 at 11:29am Very well written. Nice job. reply
#4	Leo_x December 19, 2007 at 11:22am Unfortunately I did not pay much attention to Shay's efforts. But, thanks to forums like this one more people of his calibre should get the attention they deserve. Carpe Diem! reply
#3	EP December 19, 2007 at 8:43am Well stated. Both views are challenging and appropriate. reply
#2	Darius Bastani December 19, 2007 at 4:28am Very well writen...I have learn something from this! reply
#1	Connor_x December 19, 2007 at 3:06am yes reply