A visually impaired man who used to drink a litre of vodka and smoke 40 cigarettes a day, has turned his life around and will now take on the Brecon Carreg CDF 10K.
Andy Muxlow, from Aberdare, said his life revolved around alcohol and smoking since the age of 16. But two years ago, he recognised he needed help and is proud to say that he hasn’t had a drink since 28 November 2022.
He has since taken up running and will be participating in his first 10K road race in the heart of the Welsh capital on Sunday 1 September.
The 54-year-old was born with his visual impairment which only allows him to see out of the left side of his left eye.
He said: “I went to a blind school in Bridgend. It was very sport oriented, and a lot of Paralympians came out of the school. But sadly, I didn’t take that path and peer pressure got the better of me.
“I started smoking at 15 and drinking at 16 and over the years my dependency crept up on me. I went from drinking cheap cider once a week, then twice a week, to three times to eventually drinking a litre of vodka every day.
“It ruined my marriage and when me and my partner split, I hit the drink very hard. But one morning I woke up and knew I needed to get help.”
Andy mustered the courage to seek support from a drug and alcohol clinic and Help Me Quit Wales and has since turned his life around. He also reconnected with one of his former classmates turned Paralympic multi-distance runner who encouraged him to start running.
Andy said: “I didn’t think I was fit enough but I started walking and then going to Parkrun and I now try and do Parkrun every Saturday. I was nervous at first and contacted Aberdare Parkrun to ask if there was someone who could walk with me until I started running and a lady called Suzy Davies came forward, who has since become my guide runner.
“With my visual impairment I’m able to see her vest if she is running to the left of me. At the moment I don’t use the tether but will do at the start and end of the CDF 10K as there will be a lot of runners around.”
Andy will be taking part in the Brecon Carreg CDF 10K in Cardiff on 1 September. He also hopes that in sharing his story he can help to inspire others.
He said: “I’m so proud of my life now. Going back two years ago, I was a wreck but running helps keep me going and inspires me to be my best.
“I feel like I’m now living my life how I should have lived it since 16. I feel absolutely amazing.”
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at event organiser Run 4 Wales, said: “The way Andy has managed to turn his life around can’t have been easy and his story will be such an inspiration to others. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming him at the CDF 10K this year and celebrating his achievement at the finish line.”
