Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 5 hrs ago
Welsh runner says fitness obsession led to anxiety and poor sleep
Wayne Davies, a runner from Newtown in Powys, says his interest in fitness grew into an obsession.
He began running about 10 years ago, moved on to marathons and ultra-distance races, and became focused on going farther and improving his times.
He says constant pressure to meet targets left him anxious and short of sleep, while his concentration and other parts of his life suffered.
A heart scare during training led to a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, and he worried the condition would return.
After his GP pointed him to support, Davies worked through a 12-week NHS Wales programme and learned to manage his thoughts.
He now pays less attention to fitness data and says he wants to enjoy running rather than chase times.
He is training for Marathon Eryri and hopes others will seek help if fitness is harming their lives.
Wayne Davies, a 40-year-old runner from Newtown in Powys, says an obsession with fitness led to anxiety and poor sleep.
He became preoccupied with race times, training plans and fitness data, and compared himself with other runners on social media.
A heart scare during a training run and a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation intensified his worries.
After seeking help, he completed a 12-week NHS Wales online programme and says he now focuses less on fitness data.
Davies hopes his experience will encourage others to seek support when fitness harms their lives.
- Who
- Wayne Davies, a 40-year-old runner from Newtown in Powys.
- What
- He says an obsession with fitness led to anxiety, poor sleep and declining concentration. He later sought help and changed his approach to running.
- When
- He began running about 10 years ago. The timing of his heart scare and treatment is not stated.
- Where
- Newtown in Powys, Wales.
- Why
- He became focused on running longer distances, improving times and tracking fitness data. A heart scare and atrial fibrillation diagnosis increased his worries.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Davies began running to keep fit.
He experienced a heart scare during a training run and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
His GP signposted him to Ponthafren, a Powys-based charity.
He completed a 12-week NHS Wales SilverCloud Space from Anxiety course.
- Age
- 40
- Home
- Newtown, Powys
- Running distance
- 75 miles (120km) around the Llŷn Peninsula
- Condition
- Atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm condition
- Support programme
- 12-week NHS Wales SilverCloud Space from Anxiety course
What people are saying
I was never happy, and always chasing the next challenge or trying to get a better time.
But taking that first step was probably the best thing I ever did.
I'm not worried about times anymore.
I just want to do the best I can on the day and enjoy it.