Wayne Davies, a 40-year-old sales engineer from Newtown, ran at least 10 miles every day and completed close to 40 marathons and half marathons before his running habit became an obsession that led him to seek help from his GP. What began as a way to cope turned into a source of anxiety, affecting his sleep, concentration, and relationships.
From casual jogs to ultra distances
Davies started running 10 years ago, quickly progressing from casual jogs to marathons and ultra distances, including a 75-mile race around the Llŷn Peninsula. He soon found himself unable to stop thinking about finish times and progress, pushing himself harder but never feeling satisfied.
"I ran 70 to 80 miles a week or 10 miles every day," he recalls. "I was always on social media and (fitness app) Strava and would get stressed if I couldn't get out. I stopped doing other things to go for a run. It was a way to cope but became the problem."
Heart scare and diagnosis
His struggles intensified after a heart scare during a training run for the Chester marathon. Davies was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat. Doctors warned him the condition could recur and advised caution with caffeine intake and running, which added to his worries.
"At first I thought I'd never run again. But the more I got back into it, gradually building up my fitness, the more it became an obsession," he said.
Seeking help and recovery
Encouraged by friends and family, Davies saw his GP, who suggested he contact Ponthafren, a Powys-based charity. He enrolled on SilverCloud's 12-week "Space from Anxiety" programme, offered through NHS Wales as free online support for mental health issues including depression, anxiety, stress, and poor sleep.
"A lot of men think talking about how they feel is a sign of weakness, and I admit I did feel a bit ashamed at first," he said.
Davies now uses breathing techniques from the programme and is training for the Snowdonia marathon with a different outlook. "I'm not worried about times anymore. I just want to do the best I can on the day and enjoy it." He believes social media and fitness apps pressure runners to reach unachievable goals. "20 years ago there were not fitness apps."
He still runs regularly but not as often, as far, or as obsessively. "I still love running, but it no longer defines my happiness. I can finally enjoy it again and I'm managing my anxiety. I feel like I've got my life back."
