Our congregation was a little smaller this time – maybe because the temperature was also in single figures? – but we welcomed a brand new runner, John. New to Group Runs, to be precise, because John has been running to see a GoodGym coach for over a year – nice one!

After a gentle 3k up North Street and various mercifully small hills, we arrived at Cardinal Newman school in Hove. They must like us there as we were entrusted with cleaning up the school’s very own chapel. After reverentially dusting, hoovering and polishing up the woodwork, we jogged round the corner and did some penance in the shape of various plank exercises in the park. But of course we feel better for it.

All that was left was a nice 3k back to base to cool down and say our goodbyes, which were less sorrowful than usual as we have some birthday fun to look forward to on Saturday. As three GoodGym regulars are turning 30, 40 and 32 respectively on the 23rd – Abi, Rosie and Paul – everyone’s cordially invited to a celebratory Preston Park parkrun this week. See you in the café afterwards and don’t drink all the bubbles before we finish!