Running: The Autobiography Read Online Free Page A

really fit. Then, when they said to me: ‘You look really well’, I’d think: ‘Shit, I’ve put weight on.’ I knew when I looked gaunt that I was in good shape and could run a good race. I’d be flush, I’d think, cor I’m flying.
    In 2008 I was playing well and won the World Championship for the third time. I really was flying then. I’d beaten Ali Carter in the final, my daughter Lily was just over a year old, little Ronnie had just been born, I was world champion: life was good. About a week after the Crucible final I won my first race and I did it for charity. There were 150 to 200 people racing. When I was overweight and did it, I came about 100th. Middle of the pack.
    This time round we got to the race in Epping Forest and my mate the mad Irishman’s running. He was about 42, and he could run – about 33 minutes for 10 kilometres. He was a class act. I thought, there’s no way I’m going to beat him so I just sat in behind him in about fourth or fifth. I thought, I’ll stick on his shoulder and I did till mile two. After about two and ahalf miles I got in front of him and I thought, come on, you’re in front, just push on. So I pushed on and pushed on and won it by 40 to 50 seconds. And I’d done five miles in 27 minutes. I couldn’t believe it – the thrill of running through the tape, and winning £80 worth of vouchers. I was buzzing. Ecstatic. It was on the back page of the local Epping Forest paper. Me on the sports pages – and not for my snooker. I’d always wanted to make Athletics Weekly and I thought the only way I was going to do that was through running.
    But that day in Epping Forest I peaked. I don’t know why but it all went downhill from there. I’m still hoping it hasn’t – that I’ll get back and beat my PB. Maybe I just got a bit lazy. Maybe I didn’t know where to go on to once I’d won a race. I suppose it was always going to be impossible balancing the running and snooker.
    One of the problems was with Jo, my then partner and the mother of Lily and Ronnie. She always felt my running was selfish because she’d had two kids and was bringing them up and I was out playing snooker and running. She didn’t like me going out racing, then she didn’t like the mess I’d bring in – dirty running gear, dirty legs. Often I’d put my clothes on top of my clobber, run upstairs, get in the shower and wash all the mud off before she’d had time to complain about it. Running was probably one of the things that brought our relationship to an end.

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    WHEN LIFE KICKS
YOU UP THE ARSE
    ‘Monday, five miles, 47 minutes. Did not enjoy my run, calves felt tight, lost my love for it at the moment, it feels like an effort.’
    Life has a knack of kicking you up the arse when things are going well just to remind you who’s boss. It was 2008: I’d just won the UK and World Championships, I’d made three 147s that season, my running was going brilliantly, I had a beautiful baby and a two-year-old toddler. I was on top of the world. In theory. Unfortunately, my relationship with Jo was collapsing.
    The role of dad has always been important to me – I knew what it was to have a good dad who would do everything for you, and I knew what it was like to lose one for the best part of 20 years. I’d always thought I would be a dad, but didn’t really know what to expect.
    I was only 20 when I became a father, but unfortunately I’ve never really been part of Taylor’s life, so I had never properly experienced what it meant to be a dad. And then, when Lily was born, it suddenly hit me. Boom! It’s hard to put into words what it’s like. When friends of mine are having their first baby, I tell them this is going to be the best feeling you’ll ever have.That’s what it was for me. It just gave a bit more meaning to life. Everything seemed to have more point.
    I was there for the birth. Jo had an emergency Caesarean because the cord wrapped round Lily’s neck, and they said, we’re going