RSPB Cymru's own Colin Davies tackled the recent mighty Cardiff Half Marathon to help a cause close to his heart...
After pounding the streets of Cardiff over the last few months in training for the Cardiff Half Marathon, I completed the gruelling race in a respectable time of 1.45. The race for me was not I am afraid a walk in the (Roath) park. Although by the time I arrived at Roath Park I certainly felt like walking!
By this point, I realised that these particular pair of legs were ill suited to run 13 miles. My Achilles tendons felt as tight as finely tuned violin strings and the calf muscles felt like someone had cruelly torn my skin open and replaced with them with granite rocks before the race. However, as the searing pain kicked in at mile nine with every step I reminded myself what I was running for. Nature! I was running for nature! And not only running for nature, actually running to save it! I mean all of it! I was running for The RSPB! Hell I even had the sweat soaked vest on! With the thought of global habitat destruction in mind, I kicked on in the final tendon tearing miles. Like a Welsh Forrest Gump I crossed the line with the sound of species-threatened barn owls and curlews ringing in my ears. I knew the pain I had suffered for the last 13 miles was worth every grimacing wincing step. I and indeed nature was a winner!
See Colin's photos and triumphant finish line moment here
You can still add your bit to the total raised by the team so far - check out the justgiving page here
Got what it takes to take on the Cardiff Half Marathon for nature? You can register here, then contact Lucy Johnson (lucy.johnson@rspb.org.uk / 029 2035 3009) to get involved.