Julia Interviews - Outcomes That Were Dreams

Interview With Greg Funnell.

My Name is Greg Funnel, director of Optimum Muscle Care based in Sussex.

I have been interested in sport from a young age.

I took a six-month break from work back in 2006. I travelled to many countries including Australia and New Zealand where I stumbled upon a triathlon race. I was fascinated watching the event to see the levels to which we can push the human body.

This turned out to be a major life-changing journey.

On my return to the UK, not only did I start taking part in triathlons, duathlons and running, but I also found a new life venture for myself being what I describe as, a 'Body Worker’.

I have always been drawn to endurance events and trail running… I believe it is something about exploring limits, and the feeling of freedom and peace on the trails.

I have competed in several off road half marathons, marathons and the South Downs Ultra 50mile race.

I believe that we are all on a journey which is amazing, but challenging too on many levels. I have learnt in recent years how little time we have here to explore life and ourselves.

I truly try to live every moment, have fun, give expression to my competitive side and generally enjoy life, and I would like to think people describe me as enthusiastic and  supportive, but I do know I have a short attention span!

This said, meditation has been a major part of my training in the last five months. Being a father of two young boys, a husband, the owner of my own business, and finding the time to get some training in can be very challenging.

I have noticed that as runners we have a common tendency to try and cram training in around our life, or become borderline obsessive. We can end up taking advise from everyone around us, rather than listening to where we are at, deciding what is important to us and how we are feeling.

Yoga and relaxing breathing techniques really help me create the space needed to bring me back to myself, and to help me become still within. This practice helps me know what decisions I need to make for myself, so that I can keep developing in all areas of my life…

On March 21st I raced the Sussex Endurancelife Half marathon and experienced running in the zone.

I had not competed for fourteen months due to work and family commitments, however in this race I decided to give it a good go after having an ‘okay run out’ at the Eastbourne half marathon a few weeks previously. 

I usually like to feel comfortable, and move up through the field. However I found myself in second place after two miles and committed to the race… I like running hard on the hills!

It really hurt but I felt totally in the zone, focusing on running relaxed rather than fighting it. I managed to catch the lead runner at eleven miles, however in the last mile he was much stronger and pulled away. I did not let this unsettle me and stayed strong to the finish.

A really enjoyable run!!

When I succeed I experience a massive high and feeling of fulfillment. I like to reward myself with some good food spending some relaxing time with my family! I relax for a few days and then I am on to the next challenge...!

My current main goal is that I want to race myself fit this year, and have a good Beachy head marathon.

I have previously placed 7th in ‘Beachy Head’... This was a good success for me, as I find it a challenging race, and I was pleased with the way I ran it that day. I am looking forward to returning to the race this October!

My typical training at the moment is around fifty miles a week with a lot of yoga and core work.

As I have mentioned yoga has become an important part of my training recently, I also use it to still and clear my mind before competition… I complete a gentle yoga routine before I race along with a period of time completing breathing techniques, I find this relaxes my mind.

My core motivation to train is that we have a very small amount of time here on this planet, so we must do what makes us feel happy and enjoy it....

And I love to run on the hills!  

Also my clients motivate me. Seeing their drive, determination and commitment to achieving their dreams is very inspirational.

It is a real pleasure working with them!

I am aware that I am limited by not believing in myself enough... This is something I am working on, and linked to this, in the past I would respond badly when a race didn't go well and I didn't achieve my desired outcome… However things are changing as in recent years I have learnt to accept the result, and make the changes needed to progress.

My strength is my commitment; I fully commit myself to whatever I decide to do… I also like helping and supporting others to do whatever they commit to…

But as yet, I believe I am held back from my biggest success by not giving myself the total space needed for the goal I have committed to. Sometimes I do take on too much!

And I respond poorly to illness and injury… This is probably due to going through several major illnesses in my life. I really struggle with a feeling of not being well.

However, this is where sport is so good as it has always helped me by having it as a focus on regaining strength and health…

In the past I had a habit of pushing too hard or forcing things in life and training, as I result kept breaking down with injury or illness.

A great friend encouraged me to stop pushing and trying to get everything now…! At this point a lot became clear…

I am sustained by a belief in life after death and that we are not alone… And I have learnt that Sport is very similar to daily life... We have to practice whatever is needed for our chosen journey, commit, be patient and let things unfold.

This will then lead to outcomes that once we thought of as dreams. 

I think the South Downs Way 50 mile race was one of these experiences; my greatest sucess for sure.

I had never run this distance before and wanted to try an ultra, and find out what emotional and physical experiences it would bring along the way.

It did not fail to deliver... Training back-to-back long runs, mostly on my own, was a challenging one to fit in with my family and work life, but I had great support from my wife Hannah.

In that particular year - 2013 - there was a very strong head wind for around 41 miles out of the 50, with torrential rain! So it really did test my mind and body.

I can say for certain, that you have plenty of time to think. Controlling the mind for that long under physical strain was an amazing personal test and has changed the way I look at things in every aspect of life since!

I was very pleased with the result and finished 7th overall.

I had been working closely with Julia during this time, learning about myself for many reasons. I would say that her work really made the journey through the physical and non physical training and event extra special!

Thanks Julia!

You can find Gregs podcast here.

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