Tonight's run was the shortest for a while so it would have been rude not to take a detour to the task ;-)

A big welcome to new runners Tim and Jess.

We were visiting The Hamlet Children's Centre at the top of Grapes Hill to do some gardening tasks. A massive thanks to Grapes Hill Community Gardens for lending us some tools .

Now the reason we took a detour to the task is that Sam's (aka backrunner this week) husband made us a glorious looking Damson cake so I thought it'd be a good idea if we burnt off a few more calories, genius idea really. FYI the detour also included running up Grapes Hill.

It was one of those tasks that looked like there wasn't much to do but in fact there was loads. Mainly weeding and trimming bushes (no pun intended).

Some cleaned windows, Calum has a very fancy tool for this and them followed it up with a interesting technique when cleaning the gate poles... I won't repeat he described the so-called technique.

David kindly went home to get a broom and brush, which ended up being very useful to thank you for going to get them.

The team managed to fill lots of bags of green waste and cleared a lot in 40 minutes, especially on the road side where lots were overgrown.

Rumours started echoing through that there was an epic fitness session to finish up the night with... would I do such thing... YES I WOULD.

Alex tried to delay the inevitable by identifying another overgrown bush, apparently he likes them trimmed, again no pun intended. This bided about another 5 minutes but then it was time to head over to Chapelfield Gardens.

1st up was a running routing that involved groups of three. Two would run together a time and each loop they swap over with the runner waiting. That was done for 10 minutes.

Then to finish up was a pairs strength exercise. Person one does 10 squats, 10 push ups and 10 sit-ups. Once they completed those person two does the same and then keep changing over until both partners had completed 5 rounds. Apologies for any aching bodies over the next couple of days.

We headed back to The Forum, had a good stretch then ATE CAAAAAKKKEEEE!

Next week we're visiting Catton Grove Community Centre.

With rain all afternoon I thought we were in for a wash out but as I walked up the stairs at The Forum there was an array of GoodGymers rearing to go. By the time we left the sun was out and it was a very nice evening.

Word must be spreading as we had a whopping new 8 runners this week. A big huge welcome to Rebecca, Francesca, Lizzy, Alicia, Amy, Lee, Steven and Ali.

Bill and Katy were fashioning their new black Goodgym t-shirts after reaching 50 good deeds a couple of weeks back.

A little talk was had about the races done at the weekend, a few done the Reepham 10km and Hayley and Jen did a half marathon, which was Jen's 1st and yet another amazing GoodGym story that has unfolded. It really is fantastic to see how GoodGym is changing people's lives for the better.

For tonight Katy kindly volunteered to be lead runner (or did I tell her to? Either/Or haha) and Elizabeth was back runner.

To the task then - we had a 3km each way trip to Eaton Park this evening to clean the gates, water the fruit trees and do a litter pick. Upon arrival I split the group into each activity and off they went.

Being such a large park, by the time everyone had returned to the band stand we didn't have time for the fitness session that I'd planned... to the joy of some.

On the way back I let Bill lead the group and I was back runner.

Next week we're off to visit Angelica's Rainbow.