22 fantastic GoodGym runners met up at Vivo Sports club to tackle the scourge of Himalayan Balsam in Ashton Court. It had been raining all day and was unpleasantly windy - would it be clear for our run? YES! OF COURSE!!!

We bounded off from Vivo with a spring in our step - the rain had stopped and we knew that it would be a lovely flat run most of the way. The pace was fantastic and because of our route we managed to run almost all of the way without stopping - hurrah for cycle paths.

The group slowed down as we hit the hill in to Ashton Court, but we regrouped at the top and found our balsam bashing site. With only 15 minutes to eradicate as much of this invasive species as possible, the pace was frantic and people were flinging themselves in to nettles, brambles and rhododendron to find the tallest, most intimidating patches of weeds. In the process, natures wealth was revealed - sweet raspberries, blackberries not quite ready for picking, and a confused baby bunny were all uncovered.

After a check for ticks and the returning of gloves, we headed back down in to Bristol, again enjoying a longer steady run, but not before attempting a group jump. Would we get 22 people jumping all at the same time with Bristol in the background? NO. After a few attempts we gave up, it just didn't work with that many people eager to jump.

Almost to the second it turned 8pm, the heavens opened, and rain began to fall but by then we were mostly sheltered under the glorious green canopy of the trees around Queens Square, so we could stretch with impunity! And any drops that got through were actually very refreshing on what ended up quite a hot and humid run.

Back at Vivo (almost wrote the Folk House there!) there were a few reminders - After next week's run we're going to have a chat about the GoodGym Taskforce (dum dum duuuum!); a way that runners can get a little bit more involved with the group.

There's also going to be a social on Thursday 6th August as we need to celebrate all our black t-shirt runners and those who are really really really close to getting one! This run was Caroline Wilson's 50th, so heaps of congratulations to her. Such is her dedication that she's come running with her little boy in a pushchair!

Thanks lads and lassies!

Good Gym’s task as part of Big Green Week was to help spread the word about Big Green Week! We met at the Folk House as usual and then divided into different groups to head to different parts of the city to distribute flyers and programmes, including some extra information about the Two Wheeled Drive In. One group of DBS checked runners also headed to St Pauls to take part in a mission – helping move plant pots for an isolated women in St Pauls. The groups scattered to Southville, Montpellier, Kingsdown, Gloucester Road with their packs of information. Once they made had completed the deliveries the groups extended their runs to enjoy the sun, then headed back to the Folk House for a warm down and stretch. Great job everyone!

This Tuesday, 26 bright and beaming runners gathered at the folk house to embark on another classic GoodGym midweek run, recovered and raring to go after their 10k weekend efforts. The rain had been pouring during the day, but in typical GoodGym fashion, the sun was out when everyone gathered together. After a brief introduction from (Northern) Chris and Gary, who were leading the run, the group set off. This week there were not one, but two missions. The first, to the Scrapstore, a great local organisation who provide children with play art and craft materials through recycling, and another special mission, helping an elderly Bristol resident in need to some gardening help.

The runners set off together, through the streets, under the Bearpit and onto Wilder Street where four adventurous souls led by Gary split off from the main pack to embark on the secret mission. A lovely local lady called Ruth was in need of our help. After the recent rain it had become apparent that her garden was not draining properly and in order to get the problem fixed most of her well tended potted plants needed to be relocated. The problem was that Ruth had just had her hip replaced and could not manage the job on her own. As ever Team GoodGym were happy to answer the call and set about with the lifting and shifting. In no time at all the job was done. So like a hurricane of helpfulness the four of us left with a happy Ruth and a clear garden in our wake and headed to rejoin the masses at the Scrapstore for more tornado tidying!

When the group arrived at the Scrapstore, buzzing to get stuck in, we were briefed on all of the activities that we could help with. These ranged from cutting nets into hammocks, to taking the cables off keyboards, cutting fabrics and stripping tubes, plenty for everyone! Not forgetting that GoodGym Scrapstore staple, de-boxing business phones (which after many Scrapstore tasks we are nearly at the end of, wow!). Very soon the air was full of the sounds of busy cutting, snipping, tearing and chatting. After some frantic work (and impressive highland games caber-esque tube balancing by Richard W.), we all gathered outside for a group shot, the first at the Scrapstore in the sun.

During a fairly pacey run back, the route back was altered slightly, to include a rapid dash up Christmas Steps, before returning to the folk house for some stretches to bring ourselves back to earth after all the Scrapstore excitement.

A big thanks to all that came along! A special cheers to all those who took part the 10k at the weekend and came along tonight, and also to Kim who completed the Edinburgh marathon this weekend, and also Nick, who recently completed a staggering 40 mile run event, wow what a talented bunch!