Today was the our first meeting following the GG Olympics, Ingrid and Nicola filled us in on the events at the Olympics and how much they had even as spectators. It was nice listening to them talk about the day and even nicer hearing them planning on getting a team together to represent GGCroydon at next year's event. Other GG areas better watchout because GGCroydon is coming to get their medals!

12 GoodGymers who ran 5km to today's task at St Paul's United Reform Church where Revd Martin Knight was awaiting our arrival.

When we arrived Rev. Knight showed us his office now that it was completed we did a group run and community mission there earlier this year to do the painting, the office looks really lovely and professionally painted.

Office inspection over he took us outside to show us the area he wanted us to focus on today. By the side of the church the bushes had grown out of control. We had gloves, secateurs, loppers, shears and an hand saw at our disposal as we all busily went about cutting back the bushes to create a clear walking path.

There was a branch that had fallen from the nearby tree onto the roof, Martin attempted to removed but with all his might and will he was unable to so Myself and Mo went to his rescue, however we realised that it wasn't because MArtin was weak but actually it was because the bushes and vines had grown all over the branch and made it impossible to pull away. BUt not wanting to be defeated with the help of the Rev. we were able to cut away the vines and pull the branch off the roof. As a reward myself, Mo and Martin refueled with the berries around us.

Everyone put in a great shift and it wasn't long before I had to call time, however looking at what it was when we started to how we left it we have made a huge difference, Rev Knight was impressed with what we achieved and thanked us for a job well done.

Well done Hannah you've now completed your 5th good deed, and also been cheered by 25 people!

Farewell to Michelle who will be heading back to the Middle East on Monday, it's always a pleasure having you along and really great how you always find the time to come running with us despite being on holiday.>

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Next week we are off to the Peppermint Center, if yu have not met the ever bubbly Pam this is your opportunity to so sign up here we normally get to harvest some of the crops for tea.

Today marked my 1 year anniversary with GoodGym Croydon, and it has been a good year running with you all and getting to know you. On to the next 1.

Today 17 runner ran 3km, to Park Hill for our very own take on the GoodGym Olympics. I must admit I was really worried when the heavens opened and the rain didn't seem as if it was going to stop. But the GoodGym Gods must have been looking down on us because not only did the rain stopped but the ground was not muddy and the plan I had for today's activities was able to go ahead.

Warm Croydon welcome on a wet day to Kelsey for coming along to her first GoodGym session may this be the start of many.

Welcome back Michelle (our international member) who always ensures that once she's back on English soil, always ensures she joins us for a group run or two before heading back to the UAE.

When we arrive at Park Hill the group was split up into 3 teams Red Ros, Michelle, Ian and Kelsey Orange Steph, Emma, Pete and Louise Blue Paul, Ingrid, Hannah and Zara. Some events required participation from individual members of the teams or two, while while some required the full team either way they were all in.

Events

• Dodge ball eliminator
• Out and Back collecting balls
• 4x50 Bean bag balance relay
• Adapted sack race
• 4x50 Relay
• Bean bag toss
• Wheel barrow race
• 3 legged race
• Egg and spoon race
• 4x0.37km relay

Congratulations to the Orange team on winning overall despite the impressive start by the red who were up 20 points by the 4th event but as most of us know distance running is not a sprint unless you're Mo.

At the time of going to Press there has been no confirmed positive drugs test although there are questions surrounding Ros' win of the last event, where video replay is still not clear in identifying if there were a double switch, some eye witnesses (Paul and Peter) are saying there was, while others refuses to comment.

Due to other commitments sadly Croydon's representations at this year's official GoodGym Olympics will not be as huge as we would have loved for it to be but looking at the performances today I am sure we would be up there with the other areas as medal contenders.

Thank you to my assistants/adjudicators Andy, Sarah, Nicola and Paul (who just could resist being a sub for some of the events) for their assistance in making the games a success.

In true GoodGym fashion following the events majority of the group headed down to the Ludaquist where Sarah had reserved an area for our after party.

Be sure to sign up to next weeks group run we are heading to St Paul's church, come and hear all about what happened at the actual GoodGym Olympics.

Remember to check out the upcoming races and events

We ran around 6km to water some thirsty plants and start attacking the ivy!

Another hot and sunny evening greeted us as we gathered to head off to St Augustine’s Church in south Croydon. Before we left we welcomed Conroy who will be the new Croydon Trainer from August onwards. Also with us tonight returning after a long absence was Michelle, Paul who has moved jobs to Croydon and will be coming to us from Bromley and then a super-tourist Chi who is close to running all the London GoodGyms!

Ingrid led the group to the Fairfield Halls where Conroy took his first GoodGym warm-up before we all headed to St Augustine’s for our task. There we met Sue and Bill who explained a little bit about what they were aiming to do in the grounds and gardens then gave us our instructions. Lots of watering some very thirsty plants and also pulling the ivy from the top of a large compost heap. We were going to try some digging but the ground was just too hard even for GoodGym muscle! The grounds are beside a nursery and we filled two large blue Ikea bags with toys the little angels had obviously been throwing over the wall – some future shot putt champions there I think.

Task over we headed into Sue’s for some chilled drinks, melon, freshly picked brambles and bread and hummus – a lovely feast, thanks Sue. Conroy then led the group back towards Solutions with a quick stop for an abs session led by Chi then back for our cool-down and chat about next week’s run and task.

South Norwood Parkrun are also looking for as many GoodGym volunteers as possible on Saturday 11th of August to help Julie, the Run Director, and Andy, her husband of 1 day, and the core team celebrate their wedding and 200th and 250th parkruns that morning. So if you can please sign up to their volunteer roster and help Julie and Andy celebrate in style.

Finally…. Next week, my last week as Trainer (sad face!) and we will be off to Park Hill Rec for some mural painting and gardening then down to Matthews Yard for the end of the month social. See you all there.

Week 49! With one week until our birthday, 15 GG-ers gathered at the Phoenix to run 6km for Stephen's House and Gardens.

We were joined by GG newbie Ray – give him a cheer!

This week's task was organised by Paul, who volunteers with Stephen's House and Gardens. He lead us to the task, for which we flyered along the way, and collected the tools ready for us to use.

It was a real speedy run tonight, with the front group running around a 5 min/km and the back group running 5.30 min/km.

We were quick to work to, pulling all the weeds from around the tree – and litter picking the area – all in 20 minutes. Leaving plenty of time for Paul to take us on a quick tour of the grounds. We're very lucky in Barnet with all the lush green spaces we get to run through. Not seen anything like it in any of the other boroughs I've run in!

We had a quick play on some of the equipment, which we incorporated into a circuit, before the park closed. Paul then lead us home, with Freya my trusty back-marker.

Next week is our birthday. Tell your friends, bring biscuits, sign up here. Let's try and get as many people along as possible!

Props to Paul for this week's pun.

This week's Barnet Biscuit was some kind of chocolate creme filled chocolate sandwhich