[Dennis]

Got the new RW today. Went straight to the Ryan Shay story. Coming from a family with heart history & numerous bypasses, being the oldest male in the family yet to have a heart attack, having known 2 runners in their 40's who dropped dead of heart attacks during runs, and having known 1 more (cousin) who had heart attack after a run but survived... my interest was really peaked about the Ryan Shay passing.<br><br>
Great article, written to characterize Shay, kinda tugs at your heart strings. But as of yet, no conclusive proof. Autopsy was inconclusive. Toxicology results not released as of press time.<br><br>
I'm just stunned that a world class athlete, and possible olympian, who has access to far more training and medical resources than most of us, can pass away 5.5 miles into a run.<br><br>
Anyhow, I recommend taking some time and checking out this months issue. Any thoughts?

 

[Tamster]

I eagerly checked my mailbox tonight thinking that I should be getting that issue by now, but all I got was a few bills . . .<br><br>
maybe tomorrow I'll get it.

 

[RunsTheBitterroot]

Hi Dennis! My first thoughts on this stuff has always been, "<i>Steriods</i>?" I have been a cynic on this issue since flo jo and becoming more so as time goes on. Every time there is a sudden death of an athlete that is the first thing that comes to mind.<br><br>
Whatever the cause certainly it is tragic, but not more so than other tragic and more common deaths that occur every day. I am turning 60 pretty soon, on a hot day on a steep trail when I feel nauseous, heart attack is the furthest from my mind. I just don't think about death as it will come whether I like it or not when it is time. Better I be doing something that I enjoy and die suddenly, than waisting my life away worrying about it.<br><br>
I just don't believe the best doctors in the world can predict sudden death with any accuracy even with known heart issues in an individual. Though I do know one person who was an expert skier back in Utah, doctors told him to knock it off because he had heart issues. He was an older guy and he had the attitude, 'best to die doing what you love to do". He did, suddenly on a ski run, blasting the hill. He took a huge fall spreading his equiptment all over the hill and was dead before he stopped. His heart was so enlarged that it exploded. His epilog was and everyone said "He died doing what he loved doing" There is certainly solice in that.<br><br>
My thoughts, Larry

 

[mcsolar99]

i think the toxicology test results should be released. they were apparently started 8 weeks ago, and the press release said they would take 6-8 weeks to complete. they were done by his dad specifically to prove to people that shay wasn't doping.<br><br>
it's clear what people will think if the results are not released.

 

[ksrunr]

One of my competitors died several years ago out on a training run by himself of an heart attack. I have dedicated some races in his honor as I was not in quite good enough shape to beat him. We know exactly when he died as he stopped his watch religiously when he stopped for any reason. They think he stopped to tie a shoe. He was in his late 40's early 50's when he died. Picture of health on the outside and very quick.

 

[dtoce]

thought I'd update this thread since I went to a lecture on 'Athlete's and Sudden Death' the other night and heard some things that may or may not have been known...<br><br>
1-the toxicology was definitively <b>NEGATIVE</b><br>
2-Ryan Shay had been feeling fatigued/ill for weeks prior to the race in NY.<br>
3-The autopsy confirmed microscopic scarring and there was debate about whether or not he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrthymogenic RV dysplasia-but either way it is true that he had underlying cardiac disease...<br><br>
The numbers are pretty impressive--~200 deaths per year out of an estimated 10 million 'athletes'...<br><br>
(maybe this'll bring MC back out of lurking status)

 

[Tamster]

thank you for sharing your information Dale.

 

[Dennis]

Thanks Dale. I never heard the results of the toxicology. It seemed Ryan had a muscular build which led to some rumors - but it was clear his Father wanted the tests ran and the results made public.<br><br>
I don't know what "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrthymogenic RV dysplasia" means but I'm glad we got smart people in the world like yourself who do!