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A CHARITY PLACE WORKS AS A REAL MOTIVATOR

John talks about the pride, responsibility and achievement of taking on a challenge for charity…

“In 2022 I was cycling in North Wales when I passed a couple of women at the side of the road banging pots and pans! Yes, really! It made me chuckle but I hadn’t a clue why! Later I was walking along the beach and stumbled upon the finish line of The ROC Triathlon. I then realised it was ROC supporters I’d encountered whilst cycling earlier! 

I was an avid cyclist but had never done a triathlon. However, it was hugely inspiring watching and chatting to some at the finish line and the atmosphere was fantastic. In 2023 I trained for and completed Bolton Ironman and fundraised for MOVE Against Cancer. So when I discovered there were balloted charity slots for MOVE to take part in the ROC in 2024, I thought I would jump at the chance. MOVE is a charity that’s very important to me after my own double cancer diagnosis in 2019. I managed to secure a charity place which I was thrilled about and so the training began…

The most gruelling part of the day itself was, for me, the run up and down Snowdon. The route is up the Watkin Pass, a very steep ascent of over 1,000m. So, to call it a run (for me) is an over statement. The views were truly spectacular. It was a beautiful day with clear blue sky and sunshine. I certainly took them in as I had to pause a few times as my heart rate was screaming. The ROC Wales is quite unique in that it has two cycling parts. The second ride was tough as I was cramping in both legs for the 50km ride. 

When you do a challenge for a charity there is a massive sense of pride but also a huge sense of responsibility. I think about that during training but especially on the race day itself. You don’t want to let yourself down but also everyone else – the people who have donated and those who will benefit as a result. But a charity place works as a real motivator. When it feels challenging on the route you do find yourself thinking of the people this will help and so even at your lowest points you’re aware that the suffering is temporary. I said to myself: “Just get it done!”

I think that my own personal cancer journey is very much in there when I do a challenge and especially something for MOVE Against Cancer because what the charity does resonates with so many people. When I was diagnosed I was told I might not be able to run again. That really struck me and I thought: “No way!” So proving to myself that I could undertake physical challenges was very much a driver then and it still is now. I know it’s a privilege to be able to move my body – so many can’t or don’t…

If you get a punch in the face like a cancer diagnosis you definitely reassess life. We all carry around narrative scripts in our heads eg imagining what we’ll do at different ages and stages of life but, of course, life doesn’t always pan out like that. I always thought: “When I retire I’ll buy a campervan” so we brought that decision forward to start using it sooner. I’ve had a double diagnosis. I know I’m at risk of cancer coming back so the campervan is for the here and now. I call it our memory making machine for our family.

I describe cancer as a club you don’t want to be a member of but once you’re recruited, you actually want to speak with another member. Cancer has given me different opportunities in life, and I think I’ve probably achieved more since my diagnosis than before. I’ve turned the diagnosis on its head and framed it in a positive way. So don’t sit back, take on your challenges. 

Gaining a MOVE charity place for The ROC Wales challenge was a huge privilege. I was thrilled to raise over £1,200. It was an incredible experience with some amazing people. It’s a relatively small event so you get a real chance to chat to others. People were literally from all walks of life and everyone there was doing it for their own reasons. I had my personal reasons but also my MOVE reasons. How fortunate I was to have stumbled upon the banging pots and pans on that north Wales roadside…”