Runner Profile: David Masters
Well, thanks for the nomination, Steve Munnings! I was surprised to be nominated but also excited to share my story.
I have lived in Felixstowe my entire life, aside from a brief 6-month gap year back-packing around the world.
After lots of deliberation about moving away, I decided to stay put, and I’ve been here ever since!
With my back packing days firmly behind me, I managed to start up my own construction business, which has grown amazingly, and also to father 4 children with an age range of 14 all the way down to 3 years old! The 3-year-old being the one child I had to deliver all on my own (with a little help from my wife) in my bedroom over the phone to a lovely 999 operator. I even got into the paper!
It was after this life episode, (that most probably resulted in some form of PTSD) that I decided to really consider taking up running as a sport.
Early life
I was always sporty at school and I was a keen sprinter. Long legs and unusually tall stature made me a strong competitor in junior school. Early high school sports days had me being picked for the 100m and after that I focused on the high jump which I was very competitive at until Mark Sadler beat me!
Alongside all this huge sporting achievement, I was a keen tennis player and competed at county level. I was literally obsessed with tennis and lived very close to our local tennis club in Felixstowe.
As with all teenagers I discovered the joys of all teenage related activities, thus, my tennis career ended abruptly. In my early twenties while at Suffolk College, training to be a Carpenter, my sporting obsession turned to squash. I played for 8 years and it kept me fit. I played in the Brackenbury leagues.
I then started playing tennis again, and played for the men’s 3’s winter League for 2 years.
Joining FRR
When Covid hit I no longer had a sport to turn my focus to.
When things started to re-open, I was sitting in a restaurant with all my school pals (all of which are now FRR members) and they were all talking about running. To be honest I felt totally left out, I decided to do a couch to 5 k.
This really was the start of my running career. I instantly had a new obsession!
At first, I ran only on my own and built up my confidence. I then did something which I never saw myself doing and booked myself a place in the Edinburgh half marathon. It was 2 days before my 40th birthday.
I was officially a half marathon finisher and was so pleased with my time.
Since then, I have entered and completed many races, become a member of Felixstowe Road runners and also inspired my 7-year-old daughter to take up junior parkrun. This summer I attended Trail Fest in Wales and got lost in a field with only sheep as company!
Running has changed my life in many ways. The most important change for me has been the bond I have with other runners. None more so than with my friends from school who I run with most Sunday mornings. We have our own private running group called “Run Forest” which is totally unofficial and totally awesome! We gather at 8.30 at the Pier (as long as we are not hangover) and run 10 k or more very slowly and put the world to rights. It is also a great opportunity to discuss our life issues.
Joining FRR has also greatly expanded my social running circle and improved my fitness no end. I wish I had more time to run, but my 4 children and busy construction business makes sure I do it just enough to get a 1.58 half marathon.
Lastly, I just want to thank Steve Munnings for nominating me. He was a huge influence on me getting started with running and I probably wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for him running the Edinburgh half with me!
For next month, I’d like to nominate Bryan Whybrow