’Running crept up on me’

Later this month, thousands of runners will take part in the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon. It's a flat, fast 13.1 mile route taking in some of the capital's iconic landmarks including Cardiff Castle, the Norwegian Church and the Principality Stadium. This year, joining the race will be the University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damian Walford Davies. Running as part of #TeamCardiff , Professor Walford Davies is one of 350 staff, students alumni and friends who are aiming to raise £70,000 for Cardiff University's neuroscience and mental health research, and cancer research. Here, Professor Walford Davies writes about discovering running during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact exercise has had on his mental and physical wellbeing. I never was or thought of myself as a runner. I found it difficult, lacklustre, tame.