#CountyChampion- Bernie in Armagh for Autism Awareness

I started running just over 7 years ago I had never run before.

We have a 24 year old daughter with autism who inspired me to get out and raise autism awareness the best way I could do this was to take up running. My 1st run was a 5k fundraiser for autism and I went to my local parkrun to run and never looked back. I had done over 250 parkruns just before lockdown came in but I have continued to do it throughout every saturday doing virtual parkruns. I run three times a week doing parkrun saturday, more miles on wednesday and on Monday I always do a longer run, at least over 10k.

During lockdown I pushed myself to do 10k mile then went onto do a virtual half marathon. I have done various virtual runs throughout and also done some fundraising in-between.

I recently turned 55 and at the same time I got a new 5k Pb of 24.31 so I believe age is only a number.

We also keep our daughter active daily and every mile she does she gets 50p/£1 which she saves and at the end of each month it's donated to charity. I believe running is the best thing for mental and physical health. It has really helped to motivate me and stay strong for our daughter who needs one to one encouragement in every day situations. She faces a lot of challenges daily and only for running and walking for her we would have had nothing else in our lives to keep us motivated.

Look forward to doing the virtual mini marathon as it's something to look forward to doing and to keep motivated.