Pictured: Brian Sell, who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team during Saturday's marathon trials in New York City, reacts to confirmation of the death of fellow marathoner, Ryan Shay, during the same event.
Like many of you, I was shocked to hear the news Saturday that Ryan Shay -- a 5-time USATF national champion, including 2003 in the marathon and 2003-2004 in the half-marathon -- had died during the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City's Central Park.
I read an article written by Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden right after the Saturday afternoon press conference with the winners of the race (Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Brian Sell). In it, Layden observed that "It is not possible to overstate the surreality of the post-race moment. Olympic-sport athletes in the United States are given a tiny quadrennial window in which to make good on endless hours of training and boundless dreams. On this day, Hall, Ritzenhein and Sell had slipped through the opening. For Hall and Sell it is their first Olympic team; for Ritzenhein his first in the marathon. They had seized a very potent reality, only to be confronted by a much larger one."
I cannot imagine.
One of the unfortunate side notes of this tragedy is that the winner, Ryan Hall, is married to Sara Hall. Ryan Hall and Sara Hall both ran at Stanford with Alicia Shay, who was married to Ryan Shay in July and who is now his widow. Sara was a bridesmaid at the Shay wedding.
I ran the Marine Corps Marathon last week, and was reminded again of how incredibly emotional an event the marathon is. I cannot comprehend what Saturday's aftermath must have been like.
Be praying for Alicia Shay and the Shay family. And remember to enjoy the heck out of your training and racing. Why? Because you can, and that is a crucial thing in our lives for as long as we have them to live. Viewed through the prism of sudden death, we can be reminded what a gift even a "bad" run can be. Keep being thankful for the breaths we each draw and the hearts that God allows to continue beating in our chests. It all passes too fast.
Finish strong,
Stan
Psalm 103 (NIV)
... 15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Like many of you, I was shocked to hear the news Saturday that Ryan Shay -- a 5-time USATF national champion, including 2003 in the marathon and 2003-2004 in the half-marathon -- had died during the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City's Central Park.
I read an article written by Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden right after the Saturday afternoon press conference with the winners of the race (Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Brian Sell). In it, Layden observed that "It is not possible to overstate the surreality of the post-race moment. Olympic-sport athletes in the United States are given a tiny quadrennial window in which to make good on endless hours of training and boundless dreams. On this day, Hall, Ritzenhein and Sell had slipped through the opening. For Hall and Sell it is their first Olympic team; for Ritzenhein his first in the marathon. They had seized a very potent reality, only to be confronted by a much larger one."
I cannot imagine.
One of the unfortunate side notes of this tragedy is that the winner, Ryan Hall, is married to Sara Hall. Ryan Hall and Sara Hall both ran at Stanford with Alicia Shay, who was married to Ryan Shay in July and who is now his widow. Sara was a bridesmaid at the Shay wedding.
I ran the Marine Corps Marathon last week, and was reminded again of how incredibly emotional an event the marathon is. I cannot comprehend what Saturday's aftermath must have been like.
Be praying for Alicia Shay and the Shay family. And remember to enjoy the heck out of your training and racing. Why? Because you can, and that is a crucial thing in our lives for as long as we have them to live. Viewed through the prism of sudden death, we can be reminded what a gift even a "bad" run can be. Keep being thankful for the breaths we each draw and the hearts that God allows to continue beating in our chests. It all passes too fast.
Finish strong,
Stan
Psalm 103 (NIV)
... 15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
