I’m Liam Pearce and I’m Run Wales’ newest blogger. I’ve even been graced with the nickname baby blogger by Sara, as I’m the youngest of the lot! For my first ever blog, I’ve decided to tell you about myself.
I am fifteen years old and I live in Ystrad Mynach, in the South Wales Valleys. I am currently studying at Lewis School Pengam, where I am in the first year of GCSEs. I run around three times a week but I am mostly spotted at Penallta parkrun.
Many people often ask why I run. There’s loads of reasons! I love the sense of achievement after finishing a race and conquering an ‘undulation’. I also love volunteering at parkrun and helping out everyone there. However, the main reason I love running is the amazing people you meet. They’re from all walks of life. I’ve met people who have inspired me, such as the lovely fellow Run Wales blogger Sara, who made a truly inspirational vlog about mental health. I also love running because of the amazing scenery you get to see. Sat in the house, you can forget the world around us and we sometimes need to be reminded how beautiful it is. For example, the other day I ran up Mynyddislwyn Mountain and the views struck me as some of the best in the world.
My family history in running goes back twenty years. My Gramps took up running in the late 1990s, my Mum then started running in 2012 and my Nan started it 2015. Also, my Aunt has recently started running her local parkrun. My journey started in April 2016 when my Mum, Sian Adey, who is a parkrun Race Director (RD) and Ambassador, dragged a reluctant me along to volunteer when she was a Marshall short. I then ran it for the first time, in May, and I immediately fell in love. I have progressed from a 36 minute 5k to a 26 minute 5k, none of that would be possible without the social support of others in the running community. I was further reminded of the solidarity and togetherness of the running community when, at this week’s parkrun, as a result of the tragic Manchester Attack, we held a minute silence.
I remember the day of my first ever race, the St. David’s Day 5k. It was an amazing experience! To be surrounded by family, friends and strangers encouraging you is a truly indescribable experience. I then went on to complete my first 10k race, the Cardiff Bay Run, with three generations of my family. I would encourage everyone in the running community to involve their families, it has certainly brought me closer to my Mum, especially considering child-parent relations tend to strained during the teenage years.
My running journey is far from over. I am counting down the days until I complete my first half marathon, when I’m 17. I know it will be an amazing experience. My ultimate running goal, as well as the only item on my bucket list, is to run a marathon.
Thank you for reading my blabberings!
Liam