These days it seems like the snooker world and his dog are pounding the pavements long distance running. A healthy mind in a healthy body and all that. It would appear the rigours of snooker are well-matched to the endurance and control required out on the roads.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Peter Ebdon are easily the highest profile of snooker’s top stars to count running as a key lifestyle choice, but recently rising star Ricky Walden completed the New York marathon.

Well, I’ve joined the ranks and will be taking on the Edinburgh Marathon this coming May. The discipline of pacing yourself and staying composed also ought to be good practice for keeping yourself composed when you’re en route to a high break. Unfortunately the latter just doesn’t happen often enough for me to be able to stay relaxed…

I guess the worst case scenario is that I just end up being fit. Not disastrous.