Kettleborough supporting Cricketers Trust with marathon run

• Why are you running for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust?

• I was lucky enough that the opportunity arose, albeit with fairly minimal preparation time but it was an opportunity to run for a great cause which I didn’t want to turn down

• What does the Trust mean to you?

• The trust means a lot to all cricketers, current and former, all over the country and I’m no different. The PCA offer all kinds of support for the players but, for me, the Trust is the single most important part of it all. Although you hope you never need them, the way in which they can offer help, whatever the circumstances, when you need them is incredibly reassuring. 

• What direction did your life take after cricket?

• I’m not entirely sure my life has taken any direction after cricket yet! I’m currently nearing the end of my ECB Level 3 coaching award which I did this winter and I’m also in the process of completing a diploma in Instructing Fitness and Personal Training. It’s still very much a transitional period for me since I finished playing cricket. 

• What made you decide to run a marathon?

• It’s something I’ve always thought I would love to do so when the opportunity came up I thought, “if not now, when?” The lack of training is concerning but looking forward to the day nonetheless. 

• Have you done any challenges for charity before? If so, please explain…

I haven’t run a marathon before or done any charity challenge so I’m looking forward to being part of a great day and raising some money for a great cause. 

• How is training going?

• Training has been okay. I’ve had plenty of training from a heat perspective but when I’ve done some longer runs I have been hampered pretty badly by blisters. I haven’t done a great deal of those and just hoping the precautions I’m taking to keep the blisters away pull through on the day! 

• Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

• All the advice I’ve been given is not to fly out the blocks. There was never any chance of that happening anyway but now it gives me an excuse to be extra cautious early on.

• How do you plan to get around? Do you have a finishing time in mind?

• Ideally I would love to get round in one piece, I’ve not thought too much about a time or how exactly I might get round. I’m just looking forward to the buzz and excitement of a great day and hopefully get through to the end!

• If you could compare your running style to a current or former cricketer – who would it be?

• Ricky Ponting! Sounds good I know but a little research says he’s been run out in test match cricket more than any other batsman so his running must be poor…

• Do you have a plan on how you are going to get on the TV while running?

• I think if I were to make it on tv then something must have gone seriously wrong like an embarrassing fall or my legs turning to jelly so I’m working on the basis if I can blend in and go unnoticed then hopefully everything goes alright! 

• Any superstitions?

• No superstitions when it comes to running. I did plenty when I was a little younger with my cricket but nothing for my running.

• What are you most looking forward to?

• The whole day, being part of a big event, the atmosphere, the crowd and hopefully finishing!

• What are you least looking forward to?

• The blisters! 

• What London landmark are you most looking forward to see/run past?

• Tower bridge 

• Why should people donate and how do they do it?

People should donate because it is for a great cause, running 26.2 miles is really quite brutal on the body so any donation will really help give me a boost to get me round on the day and you anyone can do so via my Just Giving page.