MY CHALLENGE
MY JOURNEY
From a throat cancer diagnosis to ultramarathons, triathlons and cycling the length of Britain, this is my story of rebuilding, adapting and refusing to accept that my challenges should define what I can achieve.
Richard Andrews
ATHLETE, FIGHTER, PROOF THAT POSSIBLE IS PERONAL
MY STORY
My challenge began in 2018 when I was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent six weeks of radiotherapy.
By December, I had become extremely weak. I knew I needed to rebuild my fitness, regain my strength and create something positive to work towards.
After being diagnosed again and undergoing a laryngectomy, I became even more determined to move forward. I decided that physical challenges would become an important part of supporting both my physical and mental wellbeing.
I initially trained by myself, but I quickly discovered that determination alone was not enough. To reach the fitness levels required for the challenges I wanted to complete, I needed specific structure, clear progression and training built around my individual circumstances.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE
LEARNING TO CONTROL MY BREATHING
Following my laryngectomy, I breathe entirely through the stoma in my neck.
This creates unique challenges whenever I am working at a high intensity, particularly when cycling uphill, sprinting while running or producing a hard effort on the bike.
I have had to learn how my body responds, how to manage the intensity and how to remain calm and controlled when my breathing becomes difficult.
It has required patience, adaptation and a willingness to keep learning, but it has never stopped me from continuing to push forward.
My fitness is now at the highest level it has ever been.
A significant part of that progress has come through the structure, support and personalised coaching I have received from Smart Performance Coaching.
The increased focus on strength training has also made a major difference. It has helped me become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the demands of endurance training and competition.
Being part of SPC provides far more than a training plan. Seeing other athletes work towards their goals, overcome setbacks and achieve things they once believed were beyond them creates extra motivation.
It gives me the incentive to continue improving and reminds me that every athlete has their own challenges to overcome.
WHAT’S NEXT?
IMPROVE MY CYCLING
I want to continue developing my cycling fitness, strength and overall performance. One of my future ambitions is to complete a ride across Italy.
COMPLETE MORE ULTRAMARATHONS
I want to keep testing myself over longer distances, building my endurance and taking on more ultramarathon challenges.
IMPROVE MY TIME-TRIAL PB
I also want to complete more cycling time trials and continue working towards lowering my personal best.
There is always another challenge ahead, another target to work towards and another opportunity to improve.
THE CHALLENGES I AM MOST PROUD OF
50KM ULTRAMARATHON
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100KM ULTRAMARATHON
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40-MILE ULTRAMARATHON
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TRIATHLONS
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HALF-IRONMAN DISTANCE
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LAND’S END TO JOHN O’ GROATS
50KM ULTRAMARATHON - One of my first major ultra-endurance challenges and an important step in proving how far I had come.
100KM ULTRAMARATHON - A huge physical and mental challenge that required resilience, preparation and the determination to keep moving forward.
40-MILE ULTRAMARATHON - Another test of endurance that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and showed what consistent training could achieve.
TRIATHLONS - After my surgery, I was told that I would not be able to swim.Completing triathlons proved that the limitations placed in front of me did not have to determine what I was capable of doing.
HALF-IRONMAN DISTANCE - Completing a half-Ironman-distance triathlon remains one of my proudest achievements.It represented far more than finishing a race. It showed that I could adapt, overcome significant challenges and compete across swimming, cycling and running.
LAND’S END TO JOHN O’ GROATS - Completing the LEJOG challenge was an enormous undertaking.Cycling the length of Britain required endurance, consistency and the ability to recover before getting back on the bike and doing it all again the following day.I believe I am the only person with a laryngectomy to have completed both a triathlon and the LEJOG challenge.
