Running confidence and managing cup finals

What have been some of the highlights of your time as area activator in Croydon?

In the years that I have been Croydon area activator the group have made great progress with their exercise which I have been very proud of. We are also a very social group - we have been doing a monthly social for 15 months in a row now and always have one every last Tuesday of the month regardless of attendance! We like celebrating achievements and making time to chill out with each other.

The Christmas social was a highlight and we are looking forward to celebrating another birthday in May. Everyone is invited to come and party with us even though it’s going to be on a Tuesday.

We are also very proud of one of our members Nicola who holds the record of most travelled female parkrun tourist, with over 500 different parkrun attendances to her name.

Tell us more about the progress they have made with their exercise

The group would do the odd parkrun but wouldn’t do races as they thought it wasn’t for them. I’m really proud that our group has got involved in Endure24, the world’s biggest 24-hour relay race. We've also had participants every year in The Big Half and this year we will have the most participants taking part from Croydon ever!

Last year one of our group did their first ever 10km, half and she’ll be doing her first full marathon this year and I was really proud to have played a role in supporting this. The group has really gained confidence to take part in running events.

What impact has your group runs had on the group’s confidence?
As well as the run to and from the task we have incorporated things like running up hills and some other drills too which has helped contribute to confidence and fitness. One of the most important things has been the encouragement that the rest of the group offers. “I’m not a quick runner” was previously a worry but we don’t worry about pace, once you go out it is a race against yourself and each time you go out you’re improving! They have certainly seen a difference.

Away from GoodGym you are involved in youth football - tell us about that
I have been involved with Bromley Youth since my daughter joined at under 11 and I am proud to have been managing the girls for the last 4 seasons now. There has been a big improvement and push for people to get more active and the community outreach side of Bromley Football Club is great.

We have a big final coming up this Sunday against Herne Bay Youth. This is going to be our second final in 3 years - we were runners up in 2022 so fingers crossed we’re second time lucky, not third!

Many of the girls have been together since under 11, it would be good for them to win but it is not all about that - seeing their progress has been excellent.

Post match update from Conroy
"Despite going 2-0 down in the first half, the girls scored two goals in the 60th and 77th minute. Although we lost 4-2 in extra time, we were proud of the team's efforts and achievements."