14 of us gathered in Solutions lobby including first timer Emma and visitors Louise (GG Lewisham) and Arran (GG Richmond). Back for seconds was also Sarah nice to see the GoodGym magic worked and we've now hooked her.

Just one of those days

This week’s task was all set, we had a new organisation to help and from speaking to the group they were all looking forward to it too. It’s run talk week and being asked to sound proof a room for a local youth club sounded like sounded great. Not to suppress or stop them from having their voices heard but to encourage their creativity and help them express themselves through their music. Sadly due to an emergency the task had to be cancelled.

In between meetings I was sending texts, emails and making phone calls to try and arrange a replacement task, while planning an extended fitness session.

To the rescue

Luckily for them Amatare had some work to be done at Birdhurst community garden.

There was a variety of things to be done: * Watering the plants * Taking down the hanging baskets and removing the dead plants while preserving the inner casing to be used next year. * Leaves to be swept up and bagged

We even met a member of the Birdhurst community who was on his way home from work, he thanked us for what we had done and promised to come and join us one day when he finishes work early, Amatare have been trying to get him to come along.

Wishing on a star

Task completed we had time for a bit of star gazing, Karim showing off a app on his phone that once point at the stars in the sky identified the different constellations. We were all impressed check out the photos to see us all gazing at his phone

Whats on this weekend?

XC (Cross Country) this weekend men and women from GoodGym Race team will be taking part in the Met League XC 2018/2019: Claybury interested? To take part you have to be a member of the race, however supporters are welcomed no membership required. After the races we'll head off to a nearby pub for some well earned refueling.

Good luck to Karim on Sunday.

Things to do!

Below is a link to the BIG GoodGym wide whatsApp group here you can find out what members across the country are getting up to. https://chat.whatsapp.com/6mh9VwRdubE7k2jELCBiB3

We also have our own GoodGym Croydon Strava group, join here

In case you have no seen or know about this, I am participating in the RunuptoChristmas are you interested in joing GGCroydon's team? Sign up we'll decide what our target distance is and together we will be helping a worthy cause.

#RunAndTalk, and that we did!

Next weeks group run is a go sign up here!

Last night 8 runners ran 5.6km, to St Augustines's church to finish off the work we have been doing there over the summer. They had a skip to be filled with all the bushes and brambles we cut down which was now dry and ready to be removed. We welcomed Sarah who was joining us on the first GoodGym outing, wondering what was in store.

After going through the domestics we headed over to the car park in Southern House where we did our warm up before heading off to South Croydon to meet our hosts Sue and Bill.

We arrived at the church as planned, Sue, Bill and their team had began filling the skip but there was still a big pile of brambles to be added before it could be removed. Instructions taken armed with gloves, head torches and a portable flood light we began tackling the pile. After a few trips back and forth to the skip with hands full of brambles, we had lighten the load on the tarpaulin. With our forces combined we began to drag the tarpaulin over to the skip which was quite easy "more hands light work", until we reached the gate!

Bramblegate

Determined to get it all onto the skip we began lifting of the brambles until we were able to get the tarpaulin through the gate. Once we got it through the gate we made light work of the remainder, with a group lift and flipped it all onto the skip. Mission accomplished, as we packed away our tools along came Sue with her bag of goodies. Sue have always been very kind to us on each visit she ensures that after all the work we put in we are refueled for the return leg of our run. Refueling aside Sue is always pleased with the work we do and her smile always shows it. We'll be back on 6 November where we have an indoor task, come and experience Sue's smile for yourself!

We said our good byes and headed back to base where we had our fitness session and parted company.

Accolades corner

Welcome Sarah on completing her first GoodGym out may it be the first of many, it was nice having you along.

Completing her 5th deeds was Amanda not long before hitting double digits. Last night we learned some interesting facts about Amanda, which I wont share here so if you were not present and want to know come along to the next group run she may share it with you.

Audrey 10 deeds and counting, congratulations. See Audrey's celebration in one of the photos enjoying her time with us she couldn't contain the excitement, she ran with her arms in the air and didn't care.

Be sure to give the ladies some cheers and encouragement!!

Fancy being being marshall for the day?

Matt over at total motion events is looking for volunteers at their event on 24 Novebmer, The Broadgate Tower Run Up 2018, if you would like to help out on the day please let me know and I will put your name forward. You may even get the chance to participate too. This event will also play host to the London leg of the prestigious Vertical World Circuit (VWC) welcoming the best stair climbers in the World to tackle the 877 steps over 35 floors of Broadgate Tower in the heart of The City of London.

Next week is Run and Talk week and we are heading over to Tunstall Nursery School, it would be good to have you along with us for a run and a chat, and given the theme there will be no telling off or request to be silent. Sign up here

Until next week keep running and doing good.