In less than a week, I will join 4999 other people for the most exciting running event I may ever have the privilege to take part in - the Olympic Park Run! The 5-mile course takes in the sites of the Olympic Park and culminates in the Athletics Stadium, on the running track, in front of 12,000 spectators. To say I'm excited is the understatement of the year.

I haven't made any New Year's resolutions for several years now - because I never keep them. But this year I feel more motivated to make changes for the better so I thought I'd give it a go. And perhaps sharing my progress will help me stay on track and reach my goals.

So what's so different this year? Well, I have a significant birthday coming up and they tell me "life begins" so it's an added incentive for change. Plus, over the last two years I have managed to address a few minor health issues that used to get in my way (and provide an easy excuse when I couldn't be bothered).