There was a strong contingency of GoodGym-ers ensuring the success of Cardiff junior parkrun today. Flo of GoodGym was the run director for this week's parkrun, and it was made all the easier by Michael barcode scanning, and Emma and Lucy leading the runners and the cheering at the coveted cowbell spot. Some coffees were definitely earned afterwards.

I was out volunteering at Cardiff juniors parkrun this morning. I conducted the first-timers welcome. Whilst explaining the course route, I had to explain that although the juniors will pass the playground, they must resist the playground and carry on. It will still be there at the end of the parkrun.

I then headed over to the playground area to marshal there. I helped another regular volunteer lay out the cones to show the route. The weather threatened rain, but never did (phew!).

There were 138 juniors out enjoying the parkrun today. Well done all.

I was back at Cardiff junior parkrun this morning. I had been assigned the role of tailwalker.

The junior who was near the back of the pack today seemed to be finding the event a bit ... not fun. Despite the efforts of the juniors' grown-ups, the junior did not seem to enjoy participating in the parkrun.

So I enlisted this junior on a very special mission to help me count the dogs. I am known for counting dogs when I run, but not usually when I walk. If the walk is special, though, I will count the dogs.

Thanks to the valiant help of the junior, I was able to spot a total of 33 dogs. The junior also roared with happiness through the finish funnel. A win for both of us.

The Albany Road Run Club is a running club in Cardiff, and a few members of GoodGym also run with them.

For the last four years, Albany Road Run Club have held a summer event called 'Loopathon' to raise money for charity.

The 2025 event took place on 17th August. I was tasked with creating some 'street art' near the start line. As the charity this year is for Maggie's, I drew their logo near the start line. I added some other items, such as a rainbow, and the Roath park lighthouse (both are featured on Albany Road Run Club's running tops), and a unicorn for 'fun'.

After running my 2 'loops' of the parks in Roath, I spent my third loop picking up trash. There was a lot of it! It took me two hours to complete that loop.

I then had another walking loop, and then finally joined all the remaining Albany Road Run Club members for the community walk. This final loop I did as a litter pick too.

Neda and I (Flo) went to see Mr L today. Mr and Mrs L needed help in their garden, mainly raking up fallen leaves.

First, we did some weeding to make sure his garden paths were clear. Then we started on raking up the leaves, most of which were hidden under the hedge lining the garden, which separated it from the driveway.

Together, we managed to fill three bags with a mixture of the leaves and weeds. Mr L said he would either get rid of these or turn them into compost.

We started packing away and returning Mr L's tools to his garage. After a brief chat with Mr L, both Neda and I travelled home.