Porter Jim Waddell has clocked up an incredible 100 marathons after his hospital colleagues helped him on the road back from a heart attack.
Jim, 63, who works at University Hospital Monklands, has the site’s cardiology team to thank for being able to continue his passion for running marathons after the health emergency.
He was playing golf in Cumbernauld in January 2023 when he suffered a heart attack and was taken by ambulance to Monklands. He had emergency treatment in A&E before being transferred to University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride – NHS Lanarkshire’s centre of excellence for cardiac care.
After a couple of days, Jim was stable enough to go back to Monklands and was cared for by cardiology staff before being discharged.
Jim, from Gartcosh, said: “The care and support I received from staff, both at Monklands and Hairmyres, was first class. I can’t thank them enough as it’s meant I can continue my love of running.”
Jim caught the bug for running in 1984 when he completed his first marathon, in Glasgow. Since then he has run a phenomenal 100 marathons in the UK and Europe.
He added: “Having a stent put in my heart has greatly improved my breathing and I’ve never felt better. It’s so much easier to get up in the morning, and I’m just loving life.
“Since I returned to work full time, all my colleagues have been so kind and supportive. I’m overwhelmed that they thought my story would inspire others after what happened to me.”
Lynne Li, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Specialist at University Hospital Monklands, said: “The cardiac rehabilitation nurses and physiotherapists are delighted with Jim’s recovery and to hear that he’s still taking part in his love of marathons. We all wish him well for the future.”
Jim completed the last London Marathon and will soon start training for his next run, a half-marathon in Inverness in March.
Picture (from left): Fiona Brambley, Cardiac Physiotherapist; Angela Watson, Cardiac Nurse Specialist; Jim Waddell (wearing London Marathon medal); Lynne Li, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Specialist
