Welsh Master Dave Watson remains on track for further international success following his amazing recovery from a debilitating heart attack.

*Dave Watson (*above) has achieved some incredible international success following his heart attack about 18-months ago, and (*below) Dave is pictured last week at the Cardiff Victory 5k race where he finished 2nd in his MV65 age cat.

Welsh Master Dave Watson remains on track for further international success following his amazing recovery from a debilitating heart attack.

Special Report by Don Hale.

 

Dave Watson, a new board member of Welsh Masters’ Athletics, tells of his survival from a debilitating heart attack just over 18-months ago, and his gradual recovery and rather incredible, return to success on the track culminating in an appearance at the recent Masters’ World Championships in Torun, Poland.

*Dave Watson (*above left) on the podium after track success for Wales.

The MV65 middle distance athlete has somehow defied a host of major health problems over the past couple of seasons to finally enjoy medal glory in various 800m, 1,500m, 5k, and cross-country events.

He explained: “I had a heart attack 18 months ago, and before that a colostomy, and reversal, and then sepsis. The heart attack was the last in the series (I hope), but I managed to get back from there gradually walking, then jogging, before finally running!

“It didn't really stop there! I then ran for my club, and I started winning races for my age (MV65) joined WMAL, and qualified to run for Wales through my mother. And then eventually, a year after my heart attack, I was selected to run for Wales proper in the XC in Santry, Dublin, and have since run in the Inter-Areas for WMAL.

“Add to that, I won BMAF medals over the past few months or so at 800, 1500, 5k and XC, and then to top it off, I also ran for GB in the Masters’ World Champs in Torun, Poland, where I somewhat and unbelievably managed to finish 6th!”

Dave joined the board of Welsh Masters’ Athletics earlier this year and now has specific responsibility for helping to develop future endurance, road, and cross-country events.

And this month he explained he has since been interviewed by a Runners Podcast called: ‘The Masters of Running.’  He said: “This was basically an interview and a chat with world champion master athletes from around the world…er… and now me!”

Dave told Podcast listeners how previously, he was just a fun and social runner, then admitted that one day late in 2021, his whole world suddenly changed, when he suffered a heart attack – and ironically, when he was running on a treadmill!

He modestly stated: “The story is not so much about that, but about the 18-month journey back, starting with slow jogging, parkruns, and dedicated training, plus diets through to representing my club, and then WMAL in the Inter-Areas. 

“And then for Wales outright in the Masters’ International XC in Dublin in November. This perhaps was capped off by running for GB in the Masters’ World Championships over 3000m in Poland."

 

*Dave Watson (*above right) on track during an international race and (*right) with one of his many championship medals.

The Podcast recalls how he coped with all these setbacks, and how somehow overcame each one in turn, whilst building back his life and his fitness, before achieving some amazing success. 

Dave has highlighted many extraordinary obstacles that some veteran athletes often face in later life, during his own personal battle against adversity, and in the end, he admitted to being justly proud to finally represent Wales, Welsh Masters Athletics, and even Great Britain in a sport he still loves.

 

*Dave Watson’s Podcast interview is available on this link: 

https://shows.acast.com/the-masters-of-running-podcast/episodes/dave-watson