Here's the thing. I’ve been a very naughty girl recently and not really run properly for about three weeks.

Some would say I’ve never run properly, but you know what I mean.

I’ve managed to get in one run a week with the girls on a Saturday but a trip to London followed by a cold has meant I’ve missed out on BodyFit sessions.

Mind you, I did manage to cover around 40 miles of London in four days, so this fitness lark is good for something.

But for the second time this year, I have a bad cough.

Sam should think herself lucky that I’ve not been at BodyFit sessions as I would be asking her why I’m ill.

I’ve lost weight, I’m reasonably healthy now and yet, for the first time ever, I’ve been struck by really nasty colds and coughs this year.

I didn’t cough this much when I was a 30-a-day smoker.

But I’ve tried not to be too downcast about not getting out and am trying out that old positive mental attitude that Sam’s always talking about.

In fact, only yesterday, I entered a 10k in Carlisle taking place in January and bullied Julie and Dianne to do the same.

It’s the day after Julie’s birthday, so I doubt we’ll be beating any personal bests.

I’d like to do a 10k a month in 2017, so I’ll keep you posted.

I am annoyed, however, that I won’t be in any fit state this month to take part in the @runtagit December challenge.

It’s a challenge to run every day in December for at least 30 minutes or a 5k and several colleagues at work are giving it a go.

I love this kind of thing but I’m not at my best so I’m just hoping there will be a similar challenge in January.

Anyone can take part – and if you do, please tweet pictures of yourself and tag @goactivecumbria in them. Thank you!

However, I’ve decided 2017 will be the year of uber-fitness for me.

I have committed myself to doing a half-marathon next year.

I say committed – I haven’t actually signed up to anything or spoken to Sam.

But I am determined to get at least one under my belt.

The husband thinks I’m batty and keeps reminding me that I said ‘I’ll never do a half-marathon’. Mind you, I said I’d never do a 10k.

But it’s going to need some serious dedication on my part and a lot of will-power.

I want Sam to give me the full BodyFit personal training experience.

I remember her saying earlier this year that she’d got some weight-loss qualification (not a Slimming World certificate for shedding three stones but a nutritionist-type thing).

I’m hoping she’ll sit me down and go through everything I need to succeed.

I realise I’ve lost five stones just by running and I do keep thinking ‘imagine what you can do if you ate properly and did some more exercise’.

Sad to say, I’m more of a takeaway pizza kind of girl and I think I need Sam’s eagle eye on me to help me get through.

I’m hoping a sit-down with Sam will be the spur that I need to be the best I can be in 2017.

New year, new me. Maybe.