A View Through My Young Eyes

I started running about two years ago when I was a mere 14 years old. I was not old enough to compete in a 10k so I participated in many fun runs where my dad, Keith, and brother, Chris, ran the longer distances. My first fun run was the Freckleton 2 miler which I managed to win, (I had, however, trained prior to this), despite the heat and having to walk due to a stitch. In addition to this fun run I did another six, coming second twice and in the top ten in all the other four.

 

As soon as I turned 15 I was looking forward to running further and having new challenges. I immediately joined my dad and brother at Wesham to help me do this. After some tough training I did my first 10k, The Chernobyl Challenge on 30th July 2006. In training I had only ran a 10k once with a time of 51 minutes and 10 seconds, so I was very pleased with a time of 42 minutes and 7 seconds in the Chernobyl race. After this race I had a period of inactivity due to toe surgery, but as soon as I could I was back running. I gained a new PB of 40 minutes 56 seconds at the Wesham 10k which remains my PB to this day. Other memorable runs were 42:45 at Garstang and 41:38 at Lancaster.   

 

Due to living in Wesham for 10 years and family members already at the club, Wesham Road Runners was the obvious choice for me to attend. It was after the first few club evenings that I knew I would become a loyal member. I received, and still receive, great encouragement and support from fellow members and Wesham spectators; making each mile that bit easier. I look up to and respect every member at the club for their speed, determination or dedication, whether it is ‘Monarch of the Mountain’ or ‘Chief Wrinkly’! At the club I particularly enjoy the handicaps, interclubs and predictors, (even if I was around 2 minutes out on my prediction), and am always looking to improve.

 

Recently I have not been training as hard due to exams, holidays and laziness. My main achievement this year was beating my dad for the first time ever at the Chorley Interclub by 11 seconds. Now the challenge for me is keeping in front of him! My main aim is to train harder and enter many more races, which I thoroughly enjoy. The atmosphere at races is great and the fact that all races are well attended by Wesham members adds to the enjoyment. I would also like to run a 10k under 40 minutes and, in doing so, get a new PB. I would also like to run a 10 miler now I am eligible for this distance. In the long term I hope to run a Marathon and become an even better runner.

 

One thing that is for sure is that I will continue enjoying my running!

 

Written by: Adam Wilding

Submitted: 21st August 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor