I recently had the chance to chat with Goce, or as his friends call him, “G,” a Melbourne-based remedial massage therapist and holistic health practitioner with Macedonian roots. Goce’s journey into running has been a winding one, starting from his days playing soccer to where he is now—taking on half marathons, trail runs, and even setting his sights on an ultra. His story is full of ups, downs, and a lot of determination.
“I’ve always been into fitness,” Goce tells me, explaining how his background in soccer and tennis kept him active growing up. “I was fast—like, 2:40 per kilometre pace fast! Life happens, however, and I stopped running for a while.” Things shifted for him in 2014 when he had what he calls a spiritual “awakening,” which led him back to the track.
Let’s rewind for a second—what was that lightbulb moment for you?
“It was weird, honestly,” he admits. “I was in Macedonia, getting ready for a night out, when I heard this voice in my head say, ‘This is your awakening.’ I didn’t know what that meant at first, however when I came back to Melbourne, it just hit me—I needed to get back into fitness, and running felt right.”
From that moment, Goce threw himself back into running. “Within a week of being back, I was training full-time—intervals, speed work, tempo runs. My pace came back quickly, and within months I was running 2:40 again. I even quit smoking, and by 2016, I’d cut down on drinking too. That’s when I knew this was it—running was going to be a big part of my life again.”
He hasn’t looked back since. In 2018, he signed up for his first event, Run 4 the Kids, and has since done several half marathons, trail runs, and hill training sessions. “I was gutted to miss the full Melbourne Marathon this year, however I AM doing the half! There’s always next year for the full—and one day, I want to tackle a 100km ultra marathon!!”
What have been the biggest changes and challenges so far?
“Joining parkrun in November 2023 and a running group in February 2024 has really taken my fitness to the next level,” Goce says. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though. He opens up about a major setback he experienced early on. “I was flying one day—really in the zone—when I felt this sharp pain in my right leg. Turned out it was my ITB flaring up. I had to see an osteopath and still do to this day. It’s like a tune-up for the body, just like how cars need servicing.”
Despite the challenges, Goce’s biggest achievement is maintaining his pace—now around 3:30 to 3:50 per kilometre—and learning when to pull back. “It’s about listening to your body,” he explains. “I use a lot of breath work when I run, and that’s enabled me to stay consistent.”
What are you working towards right now?
Goce is laser-focused on improving his pace, heart rate, and, of course, breath work. “The big goal is to complete a full marathon in under 2:30,” he says. “I’ve been working on that for a while now.” And while running is the main focus, his training has had a ripple effect on other parts of his life, too.
“Running has definitely supported me with my overall health. It’s not just about fitness—it’s mental too. Connecting with other runners, learning from them, and realising that everyone’s at a different fitness level—it’s all part of the journey.”
What’s been the best part of your running journey?
For Goce, the positive impacts are clear: “I feel healthier, fitter, and I’m enjoying running more than ever. It’s just a part of my life now. The best thing is how I’ve improved over the years—seeing that progress in pace and rhythm.”
And the not-so-great parts? Any pitfalls?
Goce doesn’t shy away from talking about the downside. “Injuries, definitely. They can really set you back. It’s tough when you’ve been training hard and then have to slow down or stop completely. It’s frustrating, however it is all part of the process.”
So, with everything going on in your life, how do you stay motivated?
Goce credits his ability to stay motivated to training “smart, not hard.” He elaborates: “I do a lot of meditation, and I’ve learned to focus on my breathing. Most runners get caught up in their thoughts—their mind telling them to quit or that they’re not good enough. However, I’ve realised we don’t run with our heads, we run with our bodies. Breathing through your diaphragm, staying present, and not getting lost in your thoughts—that’s key.”
Goce uses a specific technique while running: “At 3:30 or even 4:20 pace, I take a deep breath in, hold it for ten seconds, and then slowly exhale. It enables me to stay in the moment and focused on what my body is doing, not what my mind is thinking. The present moment is all we have—don’t let your thoughts trick you into thinking you need to rush to the finish line. Just enjoy the run.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Goce is all about keeping it simple for beginners. “First, just go out and run. Don’t worry about speed—pace comes with time. Second, find a running buddy or group. Having someone to run is really valuable. Third, work on your rhythm—find what works for you, and build from there. And fourth, invest in a good pair of runners. Seriously, they make a huge difference. And remember, you’re only competing with yourself.”
How can people follow your journey?
For those who want to keep up with Goce’s progress, you can find him on Strava and Instagram. “My Strava account is under Goce M—look for the pic of me at Run the Rock. And on Instagram, it’s goce888. I’ll be changing my profile pics soon after the Melbourne Marathon half, so stay tuned!”
At Runners Gateway, we love shining a spotlight on the incredible journeys of our community members, like Goce, who inspire us all with their dedication and personal growth. Every runner’s story is unique, and we believe that sharing these experiences can motivate others to take their first steps or push through their own challenges. If you’d like to share your own running journey with us, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch and let’s get your story told—it could be the inspiration someone else needs to start their own transformation.
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