Here I stand, at the dawn of a new year, with something of a dilemma...

My club subs are overdue. Twelve months ago I came close to leaving my club as I felt I couldn't justify the high fees they charge in comparison to other local clubs. In the end I caved in and stumped up, but as 2011 heaves into view I again find myself checking out the competition.

I'd miss my club mates, of course, and I do feel a bit of a traitor even considering going elsewhere, but then I remind myself that they've had my money for a couple of years now, and had I gone down the road to my then second choice I'd now be £116 better off. It even occurred to me that I could join UKNetRunners or FRA just for the affiliation, which could cost me less than I'd save on race entry fees!

This year there's even a new local club to throw into the mix, and their membership is cheaper than the online clubs! Even better, they meet at a pub...

While I wrestle with that, I also have to start making decisions about what races I want to do over the coming twelve months.

“In the parks of towns and cities, and on village greens up and down the country, countless thousands of people every week give up their time to participate in sport and exercise of all sorts, or simply encourage others to do so”.

HRH The Queen, in her Christmas Day broadcast

I'm a huge fan of the parkrun concept, and have been involved with Cannon Hill parkrun from its start.

Finding myself at home for both Christmas and New Year, I decided to dust off the Santa suit and run down to Cannon Hill Park for the Christmas day parkrun. I got a few funny looks, but lots of smiles and waves, honking of horns and calls of ‘Merry Christmas!’ so I arrived with a smile on my face (under the false beard). I also arrived rather late, just as they were about to start, so I quickly decided to marshal instead. Marshalling is always fun at parkrun, but especially so when so many are dressed up in Santa hats or full outfits!

Into 2011, I quite fancy Coventry Godiva's New Year 5, at Warwick University on the second, so I may volunteer for the NYD parkrun too, rather than running two races in two days.

So, that's week one...

For the rest of the month, there's the Centurion GP 5-miler on the ninth and Not the Roman IX on 16th (I guess I won't be running in the Birmingham League Cross Country on 15th, unless I decide to join a club), and that leaves me the weekend of 22nd to visit my mum and sister in York (and maybe take in Leeds parkrun and City v Forest Green!)

After a couple of very slow, and in the case of Rutland Water painful, marathons this year, I'm not sure whether to go for three, two, one or none this season. To run a spring marathon I need to step my training up now. Awkward with the weather conditions, and I don't do dreadmills.

I guess I'll procrastinate a little longer, and have at least part of that decision made for me (why put off until tomorrow what you can put off indefinitely?)