Have you ever had a big goal and you were sailing along with your plan and everything was going well, when all of a sudden your plans were thrown into chaos? Yet your goal remained. Instead of looking like Mt Dandenong your goal now looks like Mt Everest!

I am in one of those situations. Today marks the 14th day since I had my appendix out. In 18 days I am due to run the Sri Chinmoy Marathon at Williamstown in Melbourne on Sunday 30th May.

My challenge is that my preparation has been severely interrupted by my hospitalisation. I normally have a training peak three to five weeks before a marathon, and then reduce my load over the last three weeks leading up to the run. Clearly I have not been able to do this as I was in hospital. So far I have managed two eight kilometre runs since leaving hospital and both times I have pulled up quite sore. D’OH!

I’m not an elite runner. My average time is just over 3hrs 50 mins for the eight marathons I have completed so far. Normally I am sore for two to three days after a marathon and I’m back running within five days. My personal plan includes completing at least two marathons per year. this is my first for this year so I’m keen to ‘chalk it up.’

Providing a person has done some training and has a reasonable level of fitness I have learnt that a marathon is by far and away a mental challenge. I use the Jeff Galloway method of running, so I use a combination of running with short walks throughout the marathon (that is what the ancient Greeks did). I know that physically I will be able to run this marathon. I know that this time I will most likely be sore for five days rather than two to three and I might not be able to go for my next run for seven days after the run. I also know that throughout this run my biggest challenge will be my mind.

It is for this reason that I am seeking inspiration from you. I am not asking you to run with me (for some of you that may be an option). Rather I’m seeking inspiration from you in multiple ways. Even if only one person takes up the challenge to run in the 5km event on Sunday May 30th, I’ll be inspired to push through my mental challenges to complete the run. You see, running is relative. If someone hasn’t run or walked 5kms for a long time, then that might seem like Mt Everest to them, just like this 42.2kms is looking like Mt Everest to me at the moment.

I’m already lucky that Andrew and Sue O’Brien from Couple On The Run and the inspiration for our Partnerunning brand will be running on the day. They are completing 10 marathons in 2010!

So, how can you provide inspiration?

1. Sign up for one of the 5km, 10km, 21.1km or marathon events at the Sri Chinmoy Race at Williamstown on Sunday 30th May. Registration information is available here.
2. If you are unavailable on Sunday 30th May, sign up for any event that may be a challenge for you.
3. Come down to Williamstown and show your support for everyone running in all the events. I hope to cross the finish line between 11am and 11:30am. Location information is available here.
4. Forward this request on to others you know who might be interested in helping.
5. Send your best wishes by leaving a comment on this blog

If you do sign up for an event or if you plan to come along on the day, please let me know by emailing Gary@orgsthatmatter.com – because knowing that you are doing something will help to inspire me to overcome my mental demons on the day.

So, please inspire me and continue or commence your own personal fitness journey along the way!

Cheers,

Gary Ryan

PS The photo with this article includes my good friend Jim Poussard and myself completing the Sri Chinmoy Marathon last year. Jim is running the Great Ocean Road Marathon this weekend – it is 45 kms, ‘Go Jim!’