As Halloween approaches, it was time to get those costumes dusted off and ready for running.

10 goodgymers heard the call, the T-Rex leader made their return, joined this year by a pumpkin, Lord Farquaad, a ghost and the mighty DUFF man.

As is usual now for this run, we made our way through the streets to cheers, car honks and laughter. It's good to brighten up people's evenings, especially when the clocks have gone back and brought darkness with them.

Our task, to help Cwtch Together prepare and decorate for their weekend of Halloween parties.

We arrived to a list of tasks, and we all know how much Michael loves a list.. 😍

• Bring in 30 + pumpkins and create a display
• Cover tables with black bags
• Put up hangings on fence, securing with cable ties
• Erect the cardboard shop / stall
• Bring in the box from the unit
• Move the wood from the back unit to the front gate, ready for collection
• Empty the cupboard under the sink
• Blow up balloons
• Hang decorations... Including the glow on the dark skeleton

Our task organiser, Sarah, had prepared well tonight. With a long list of tasks we had no problems getting straight to volunteering. We always enjoy this task, it's good fun and lighthearted, the groups got going as the photos show. A last minute task joined the list, as the paperchains that had been put up were drooping too low. With a bit of macgyver thinking we came up with a solution. Using wool and ceiling fittings, an old walking stick and a clothes peg. Threaded through the chains, then raised at either end, the paperchains were moved up and away from children's heads (we hope). The same technique was then used to hang the skeleton, a nice spooky addition.

It was suddenly time for our group photo, get those costumes looking their best. We headed back for a bit of a social and discussion of the Christmas events coming up.

After a very busy half marathon, and with some tired legs and muscles, we met for our usual goodgym Tuesday task.

Michael had already been out to test the route tonight, and had kept it shorter than usual to help those half marathon finishers with their recovery.

We ran out for 1.5km so 3km in all. Joining a Salvation Army hostel again, this time we were tidying the outside spaces ready to be decorated with lights to make them warm and festive.

Darren, Jake, Martin and Jenny got straight to work on the worst overgrown area. Darcey was mesmerised by the weed brush, taking great pleasure cleaning in between all of the paving slabs.

As the second group arrived, walkers, cyclists and an extra runner... Michael got them in to join the volunteers.

Rosie joined on the raised area, whilst Dylan, Dave and Emily started work on the seating area weeds.

Jake joined Nathan to tackle the buddleja plants trying to take over the front of the building.

Whilst all the groups got to work, Darren decided on the run report title, followed by an endless stream of Summer loving being played.... Martin found his new favourite item, the leaf blower... Oh it's loud.

As it was a shorter distance tonight we stayed slightly longer, the difference made was amazing and we have already had thanks from the hostel staff in emails.

As the darker evenings begin to creep in, 8 goodgymers were still keen get out for doing good.

A split group tonight, with 2 walkers, 2 cyclists and 4 joggers, Michael led those running on a windy route through the streets of Cardiff.

Tonight's task was back at St Edwards Church, for the Forget me not group. Helping to tidy up the grounds that had succumb to the brambles.

Runners were late to the party tonight, after a plaster stop for some rubbing shoes. The walkers had already picked jobs and were busy getting stuck in.

We had

Jenny on strimming, taking out huge amounts of bramble in no time at all.

Rosie had the Iovely job of planting bulbs in the newly created bed.

Jake and Lucy were in the street, tackling the growth through the fence.

Dylan, Dylan and Darcey. The 3 Ds, got to work on the brambles on the inside of the fence.

It got dark pretty quickly tonight, but the Church has outside lights and Michael had his body torch. Next week, our portable lights will make their return.....

Heavy Bag alert

After some serious bramble attacks we managed to compose ourselves enough for a group photo. We then headed our separate ways, cyclists one way and the rest jogging back to our start location.

See you next week, get signed up so that I know what tools to prep....

What time is it?

It's goodgym TIME

At our usual start location of the Glassworks, we met walkers and joggers alike. We gave a great BIG goodgym welcome to our newest member - Mel. Glad that you could make it along.

CROESO

3 cyclists, 5 meeting us there, 2 walkers and 4 runners in total making a good 14 volunteers ready to help the SAMYE foundation once again. It's always a pleasure to return to this charity, one of our originals from the days that we started up in Cardiff.

Today, there was an extra suprise and our mascot for the task - ROSIE.

As per, there was a whiteboard list waiting for us when we arrived, and whilst everyone (mostly Jonathan) were busy with the dog, Michael had a quick walk around with Lorraine to see the big jobs.

On the list for tonight was,

• Hammer a drawer front back on in the Dolma flat.
• Saw the curtain poles to size in the Tara room.
• Clean building 252 - mop the floor, clean the bannisters.
• Put a pick axe together - brand new from the box.
• Sweep under the gazebo and collect all of the leaves and soil that have fallen.
• Weed around the doors in the front.
• move the chair and table in able to turn over the rug in the counciling room.
• Finally - the BIG JOB, dig up the large daisies, lavender, rosemary plants that have spread too much in the back garden.

Plenty to be getting on with, so lets split up and get to it.

David went straight to sorting out the drawer, Jonathan wanted nothing but the saw.

Mel and Neda got gloved up and were after all of the leaves.

Dylan and Rosie got to cleaning those doorways.

Turn around, Michael and Jenny. It was rug time.

Llion and Dylan were on cleaning duties, quietly due to sessions going on.

David then joined Lucy, Darren and Emily for the pick axe session out back. First to break down the roots, so that the spades and forks could be used to try and dig out as much as possible.

There was even a bit of extra time for Jenny & Llion to weed the vegetable beds and find some potatoes.

Before we knew it it was time to down tools and head inside for a treat of home made soup from Lorraine. Will the dog be here next time we visit? You'll have to join us to see....