- Posted January 16, 2020
Interview with George Wheeler
George, you won the U23 men’s race at Stopsley Common in Luton, you were 5th at Keysoe last weekend and you’re 1st in the individual rankings after 4 races (you were 8th at Teardrop Lakes in MK and 4th at Oxford).
In the Cross Challenge at Sefton Park, Liverpool, you were 36th in the U23 race and at the ECCA Saucony XC relay in Mansfield in November, you were part of the senior men’s team, which came 18th out of 161 teams – MKDP’s highest position to date. You’re having a great season.
You and your twin Charlie are both great runners. How much rivalry is there between you?
A huge amount – it’s been the cause of many an argument. Before his long-term injury, it was very much 50/50 who would win each race. Ultimately the competitiveness between us is a good thing and has often spurred us on to better results when we try and hang on to each other during a race. Being twins, we also have the mindset that what one of us achieves, the other can, and this has been a very beneficial way of thinking when one of us produces a strong performance.
Do you have any pre-race superstitions? What meal do you like to eat before a race?
No, not particularly. I just try to have a generally chilled day prior to the race and I don’t put too much thought into dinner, but it usually ends up being my go-to meal of pesto pasta. I must say I am finding the current nationwide pesto shortage very frustrating. On race day I don’t really like to eat within 3 hours of the race, so breakfast normally consists of toast and Belvita breakfast bars then I won’t eat again until after the race.
What has been your proudest moment as an athlete?
Phwoar, that’s a tough one. On the cross country it would have to be becoming U20 national cross-country champions with the boys in 2018. Thinking about an individual achievement, that would have to be my 68:53 half marathon last winter.
Do you have any sports heroes? If so, who?
There’s too many to name all of them, but a few off the top of my head include Craig Engels, Olivier Giroud, Conseslus Kipruto, Jimmy Gressier and the whole 2004/05 Chelsea squad.
What is your favourite race distance? And do you prefer track or cross-country?
I like to mix it up to keep it fresh but, on the track, my favourite event is the 5000m. I always thought I would prefer cross country to track and, while this was the case to begin with, in recent years I have found myself edging more and more towards the track.
Which race has meant most to you, and why?
That would have to be National XC relays in 2017 as together as a team we achieved our first national medal, coming second. Running around at the front of the race was a bizarre experience and something we could have only dreamt about in previous years.
You’re one of the original members of MK Distance Project. When did you start running?
I began running seriously in 2012 at the age of 13 when I joined MKAC under Jim Bennett and followed him to our new club MKDP in 2017.
What drives you to get up in the morning and go training every day?
It’s easy to say ‘motivation’, but it’s impossible to be motivated every day. There are plenty of days where I don’t really want to do it but self-discipline and a desire to get better is how I’m able to train every day. It also gets to the point where I’ve been at it long enough that it becomes routine: I don’t even think about it, I just wake up, roll out of bed and go on a run.
Have you ever wanted to give up running, or do you think it will always be part of your life?
No, not really. Sure, you have to sacrifice a few things, but that’s never really bothered me. It’s easy when all your friends are athletes too, as they understand the lifestyle a lot more than others. I cannot see a time when running will not be a part of my life.
You’re at Nottingham University. What do you hope to do after you graduate? How do you manage to fit in training around homework and coursework?
I’m in the final year of an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science. I’d be lying if I said I found balancing uni work and running easy but that’s not due to lack of time; rather, I find sitting down to study, work or revise immensely challenging so much of my uni work Is left to the last minute. Having said that, this has worked for me throughout the years as I continue to achieve respectable grades. Next year I will start a master’s degree at the University of Lamar in Texas where I will be studying on an athletics scholarship.
What’s the best piece of advice Jim has given you?
Listen to your body – although that’s easier said than done.
Do you think attitude – mental toughness – is a factor in winning races?
Of course – you will never achieve what you don’t believe you’re capable of. You have to learn to back yourself even if others won’t.
What hobbies do you enjoy when you’re not at uni or running?
Relaxing is my main go-to if I haven’t got to be running or doing uni work. Besides that, fishing, gaming with my friends or looking after my animals are all things I get up to.
If you could achieve anything you wished for in running, what would it be?
That’s easy – Olympic gold.
George, thank you so much for answering these questions. We wish you all the very best for the rest of the XC season and for the last terms of your degree.
