Firstly, here’s to wishing a Happy New Year to everyone whilst I sit here writing this with an ice pack on my inflamed right knee. 

The same knee injury as mentioned in last week’s column and yes, I did still do the Boxing Day eight-mile run albeit whilst being helped round by my running partner and fellow hare, Jason Wright.

I don’t think there was anyone at the event who didn’t comment on the size of my knee which didn’t help me feel any better about what I was about to do pre run and then again afterwards.

Have I paid for it since? Yes, I certainly have, and I am fully aware that I only have myself to blame.

On a positive note, we raised £1,700 which was split between 15 different causes. Since the first Boxing Day Run in 2002, we have raised thousands of pounds for lots of super charities.

This year we had 40 runners making up nine teams with the youngest runner being aged just 14 and the oldest, Dave Goodwin, at 78 years of age. I have written about Dave before as back in the day he was one of Norfolk’s best and someone who I really looked up to.

Dave Goodwin, the oldest competitor in Neil Featherby's Felthorpe Boxing Day Run. (Image: Baz Hipwell)

Prior to the Wymondham 10K road race becoming a big part of the Norfolk Road Race calendar, January 1 used to see runners of all ages meeting at the West Norfolk Hospital to take part in a run where you had the choice of doing one or two laps of what was a 4.2-mile loop.

I did it a couple of times in 1983 and 1984 where on both occasions I ran round with a guy called Jamie Harold, who back then really was a brilliant and naturally talented athlete.

In the first year of the event, so both of us could go home with a trophy, I did the two lapper whilst he did just one lap and then the following year, we switched it around with me doing one lap and him two laps. It really was a fun event though with the late great Duncan Forbes presenting the awards at the end.

New Year’s Day, 1985, also sits well within my memory banks.

A 10-mile training run around Little Plumstead, Salhouse and South Walsham with all my thoughts being geared to what was to be my first running in the London Marathon in April of that year.

I had all my training and pre racing marathon plans and schedule meticulously worked out. However, to think that this was 40 years ago just seems mad. At the time I was very much closing in on what was to be my peak years of running when I really did believe that I would be able to go on forever. Hence why I always tell younger athletes to make the very most of their talent while they can. There really is no better feeling than when you are at your very best.

As we now look forward to another year of challenges, knee injury or not, I am still setting myself some goals as goal setting really is so important.

The new year of course brings so many resolutions from people whereby, I am sure this will also see us at Sportlink being visited by not only all those people gearing up for a spring marathon but of course all those people who just want to set themselves a challenge of becoming much fitter through running and jogging.

I think this is great and providing your body is in good working order, then it’s never too late to start.

However, it is the beginners who really do need to be careful when first setting out.

Having the right equipment is of course a must, but also being very patient during the first few weeks really is of prime importance.

It is far too easy to get carried away and excited by newfound fitness levels for which so many people each year end up doing a bit too much too soon and getting hurt. Our bodies are designed to adapt to the stresses which we apply to it, but adaptations do take time, and we are all different so these take place at differing rates.

So, and with this in mind, my advice would be for those who perhaps have not done any such exercise for some time to check out the Couch to 5K program or join a running group or club which provides a beginner's section.

Be warned though as running and fitness can become very addictive and even life-changing, which of course can be a good thing.

Anyway – whatever level you are at with your running – I wish you all the very best for the year ahead.