Brothers Jack and Joe Andrews have taken on the challenge of covering a total of 224.2km by running, cycling, and swimming to help support Latch at the Ironman Wales in September. The siblings hail from Saundersfoot, only a stones throw from the Tenby course, and were immediately taken with the event when it began in 2011. We had the chance to speak with the two between their endless training sessions to learn more about what goes into taking part in an event like this.
What inspired you to take on this event in aid of Latch?
Joe: My aunty Susan inspired me to support Latch. Seeing the time and hard work done by both her and others involved with the charity motivated me to contribute and support myself. It is a privilege to help a good cause by doing something I enjoy.
Jack: Similar to my brother, our aunty inspired me to support this cause. Being introduced to Latch through her and then going on to read about the amazing support that the charity has provided to children and families in Wales moved me and motivated me to help in our own way.
What’s the hardest part of your training plan?
Joe: The hardest part of the training is the commitment you need to put in to mentally show up everyday. An Ironman requires a tremendous amount of training, put in over many months and it takes a lot of commitment to get yourself race ready.
Jack: For myself I think it’s the consistent motivation required to get yourself out the door. Once I’ve started a training session everything seems to get easier, but getting myself out the door first thing in the morning or on cold rainy day can be difficult. However, I know that those are the sessions that will matter most.
What has the support been like from your family and friends?
Joe: The support has been great, I know a lot of people from home who have either taken part or are taking part who are very supportive. Our parents are extremally supportive and always willing to help out in anyway they can which makes a huge difference. Particularly in the volume of food they cook for me.
Jack: Mum and Dad have always been extremely supportive of Joe and I whatever we are doing, which means the world. It makes everything easier knowing that they’re behind us and are willing to help out through cooked meals when we’re back home or simply being there to talk. Additionally, my housemates are also taking on Ironman Wales this year, having others going through the training as well is extremely helpful, even if it’s just to complain about how tired we all are.
When you’re competing in an event like Ironman, do you hit 'the wall' and if so, how do you motivate yourself to keep going?
Joe: I think it’s inevitable, almost everyone will hit the wall at some point during an event of this size, but reminding yourself of the reason why you’re doing it and the cause you’re supporting, is what keeps you moving.
Jack: Unlike Joe I haven’t completed an Ironman, but I believe him and think it will be inevitable that at some point during the day I will hit a wall and will need to motivate myself to keep going. Besides from what Joe said and reminding myself of the work Latch does and the difference it makes I also plan to remind myself of all the work that I have been putting in and using that as motivation to keep going.
What would you say to anyone thinking about taking on a challenge like yours to support Latch?
Joe: Just do it, it’s a great cause and they help families in great ways making a real difference all across the country.
Jack: I’d say if you’re thinking about it, then it’s only a matter of time, so you might as well start sooner rather than later.
What's your planned pre-race meal and what do you plan to eat when you celebrate?
Joe: Planned pre-race meal will 100% involve rice and lots of it. Following the race, I think the main thing I plan to do to celebrate is have a few pints.
Jack: Likely, the night before will also be rice as we’ll both be staying at our parents. The morning of the race I’ll stick to the usual pretraining meal which is bagels, bananas and honey. After I finish (fingers crossed) I’ll have to play it by ear and see what I can stomach but I’m familiar with all the take aways in Tenby and will be choosing one of them I suspect (at the moment I’ve got the idea of a large pizza in mind).
