Tonight's group run was to a new task Foundation4Life, just a stones throw away from our start location. We ran/walked just under 2km.

At the task we were met by Jazz who gave us a quick background on what foundation4life does for the young people of the community. The work of foundation4life is not just supported by UK sports personalities and celebrities but also by international celebrity Michael K. Williams. (Omar, if you've watched the Wire)

Jazz explained to us that they had recently done some work on their music studio and we were there to help tidy up and get rid of the rubbish that had been left behind. We set about clearing the room, moving the left over plaster boards to another section for storage and bagging up the rubbish. Once the rooms were cleared when then mopped the floor. Jazz thanked us for the work we had done and she was beaming from ear to ear as she had been juggling tidying up the space and running the operations of the organisation.

GoodGym can make you famous

At the end of the task Jazz asked if she could have a photo of us to add to her wall of fame, in the group shot if you look behind us on the wall there are photos of all the people who have contributed to Foundation4Life in some way or another, now GoodGym Croydon will be joining the ranks. Calling all composers and song writers, Jazz has informed me that once the studio is up and running a session will be set aside for us to make a GG Croydon hit.

From the photos are you able to guess the person to the left of Mother Teresa?

The poll for our Christmas meal is now closed, Wednesday 12 December, was the most popular date I will now contact the restaurant and make the booking.

The clocks have gone back, the evenings are getting darker earlier and the cold is upon us, that did not stop a handful (5) of runners turning up to tonight's group run. Although small it was quite rewarding being able to do our head count tonight where I was able to say everyones name without mixing them up with someone else. Headcount out the way and warm up completed we headed towards Thornton Heath via West Croydon to the allotments to help our friends over at Unique Roots, where we were met by the ever bubbly and grateful Pam. Each time we visit the allotment we get to see what we have done in the past and how our runs there has made a difference to Pam and her service users.

Tonight's task was to help clear the mountain of dirt that Pam had began working on over the weekend to make a path for the wheel chairs users, and make the allotment more accessible. Pam had made a great start , she informed us that if we were unable to clear all the dirt she would be grateful for whatever in roads we made.

Ain't no mountain high enough

Forks in hand we set about digging into the mountain, as with any digging task there's alway bound to be some form of surprises buried. We dug up broken garden forks, fiber glass and many other discarded waste. Within a few minutes we had dug down the mountain and began spreading the soil out along the path we were creating.

With it being Halloween I guess we couldn't blame anyone for spotting the odd pumpkin after all we are at an allotment. In the midst of leveling the soil along the path there was an exclamation!

Look there's a pumpkin

Nicola and Helen had spot a pumpkin on the path, it wasn't there before when we got there, was someone playing tricks on us? No! We were the only ones there and I wasn't winding them up either. Pam had provided us with a wheel barrow to put the rubbish we came across, as we loaded up the wheel barrow and spread the soil out the black part of the wheel was not visible and all that could be seen was the orange part of the wheel which according to Nicola and Helen looked like a pumpkin and maybe the rest of us cold not see it as we were not on there level. (referring to their height or lack of)

Levelers

People don't do gardening in the night!

Pam told us about a conversation she had with another organisation in which she mentioned about work being undertaken at night at the allotments and someone was quite surprised by her comments and tried putting her straight telling her no one does gardening at night. She was so pleased to tell them about the marvelous group called GoodGym who is taking night time gardening by storm. The look on her face as she relived the conversation was priceless. You could tell she really enjoyed spreading the word about us and what we do. Sounds like we may have a new partner in the coming future!! Did I look into the cauldron there?

Mission accomplished we bid of farewell and ran off into the dark with head torches lighting our path.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

On the run back along the road Croydon council had began putting up their Christmas decorations on the lamp post. This prompted us to start talking about our end of year meal, after some pondering I suggested going to Little Bay for a meal which was a unanimous yes from the other four. We now need to agree on a date that is convenient for everyone and if you have ever been to Little Bay you know they are quite popular and will be extremely busy throughout December so we need to agree on a date book ASAP!!

This weekend there is a community mission you do not need to be DBS cleared to join sign up here

GoodGym News!

• If you did not know there is a GoodGym wide facebook group "Unofficial Unofficial GoodGym Socialising" here you can find out about all the various events happening across GoodGym in other areas, races, parties long runs and many more. The is an entry Criteria which I'm sure you'll all be able to meet.

• Sarah (one of our many Sarah's) is in the process of putting together the process of putting together the race team news letter and is after any news you would like to share. It could be your personal perspective on a race or if you have any up coming runs/training others can join in on. If you would like to get in touch with her please let me know and I can give you her details.

• Last social of the year will be on Thursday 8th November at The Star of Bethnal Green, E2, 6LG

• GoodGym London Xmas party is on 1st December 2018

Next week we are heading over to St Augustines Church, its an in door task this time sign up here.

11 of us with no substitutes took to the field as we headed over to Tunstall Nursery to help them tidy up the playground and surrounding areas. We had a few sweepers, planters, and lifters on the field today.

Congratulations Ellie on completing her 50th good deed over the weekend despite being injured she was out tonight for her 51st.|

We arrived at the nursery where we were met by Jane who was surprised by the number of us who had turned up . From her exclamation you could tell she was not expecting that many of us. We followed her to the back where she explained what she would like us to do.

Formation

• Andy and Karim dug a hole and replanted a plant.
• Juliet, Helen, Ros, Stanka and Kate swept up the leaves that had fallen from the tree creating little mounts and alternated between clearing and sweeping.
• Over in the creepy crawlies corner Elie, Nicola and Ingrid where busy clearing it of all the rubbish that had accumulated and was no longer of use.

Having completed all the tasks that were assigned to us we bid our farewell and headed out the gate, with time to spare the group had a chance to do a circuit around Tunstall Road, Herron Road, Addiscombe Court Road and back up Tunstall Road where I was with the stop watch shouting out their times. This circuit will be a Strava segment by our next visit in November, let the games begin!

Quite a few bits ticked off, we headed back to solutions where we continued our fitness session with a few sprints. Back at solution we did a few body weight exercises before our cool down stretches and said our good byes.

They sure did work up an appetite today, time to start planning next week's fitness session!!

All eyes were on our friends over in York, as they hosted The Amazing York Pasta Party, in preparation for the Yorkshire marathon and 10 miles race. There was a huge GoodGym presence there to support **Sean Coxhead of GG York, read his story.

Searching for your next race adventure with GoodGym, check out the upcoming events even if you are not interested in running, there is always a cheer squad and you are more than welcome to go along and spread the good cheer.

GoodGym Croydon Strav Group

Next week we are off to Unique roots for some gardening we will be going to their site near Valley Park. Bring gardening gloves and head-torches if you have them! Sign up here to join in.

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!

School was out for the day however that didn’t stop 12 GoodGymers from running 2.1km to help out in the garden at Park Hill Junior School, running beneath the beautiful sunset.

We were met by Esther who explained to us what she wanted us to do, tools selected we had a group of weeders, litter pickers and pruners.

No thyme to mint about the cola bush

Workers in the edible beds were busy weeding what was left of the vegetables that would amount to much as winter sets in. The smell of mint, thyme and cola whiffed in the air. Before today I did not know there was such a thing as a cola plant.

Punkin’ out

Due to winter approaching we had to root up the small pumpkkn vine as it would not survive the frost and cold to bear fruits.

Logging on

On the other side of the garden Paul, Dan, Ian and Karim were busy cutting back the brambles and stacking the logs they encountered in their pursuit of clearing another space for the children to cultivate when the time comes.

Igrid our chief litter picker and Elinor where busy picking up litter from the surrounding area.

Congratulations Andy on completing his 25 good deed, show him some love by giving him some cheers.

After completing the task, we went out the gates where 10 runners embarked on a loop around the school our current record holder is Any who completed the loop in 02:41:63 (2 mins 41 secs). I have now created a strava segment so for those of you on Strava. Next time we visit Parkhill be prepared to have a go at dethroning Andy however due to the segment only being created tonight it currently, sits blank so if you have some free time over the next few day please feel free to have a go. You will have bragging rights until we all go back again.

I have also created a GoodGym Croydon Strava Club you are all invited to join.

As we headed back from the task a few of the group ran off in different directions toward their homes leaving 6 of us to partake in the fitness session. Well done to the last 6 standing and hope you enjoyed your fitness session.

Well done to our resident tourist Paul in participating in the SEEA Road relays in Crystal Palace at the weekend as part of the GoodGym race team, good luck for the coming weekend where he will be doing the Box Hill 10K.

Next week we are of to St Augustines's Church, where we will be assisting the residents in filling a skip hope you can make it.

12 of us met in the lobby of Solutions Gym, where we exchanged pleasantries and chatted a bit before heading off to Addiscombe Railway Park to do some gardening and litter picking. Tonight, we welcomed new comer Kate, who was doing her first run with us.

Upon arrival we were told about the various tasks awaiting us, we got stuck in and began tackling the various tasks. There were pruners, diggers and litter pickers. The diggers were busy digging up the soil from the mountain of soil, sieving it into bags and putting the stones into another bag. Through all the heavy lifting and shovelling they were left shaken ‘n’ sieved. As they laughed and chatted, they shake rattle and stoned, shake sieved and put the fresh earth in.

To Cut or not to Cut

Hedge today Gone Tomorrow

The pruners armed with secateurs and a saw cut back the edges while ensuring that the trees that had been identified as wanted were leafed alone.

Hide and Seek

While doing the rounds ensuring that everyone was accounted for and that they were working within the safety guidelines, Ingrid who had opted to do litter picking was missing, upon walking along the path calling out for her I heard her voice in the distance, she had been clearing the path of litter and got a bit carried away off the beaten track she explained that while clearing the path she noticed there were a lot of litter in the bushes so decided to clear those as well.

Task completed we all gathered around the pond looking at the tadpoles and frogs, the pond had been dug by us on a previous visit it was good to see the finish product with its occupants and plants.

This week’s fitness session we worked on lunges and planks, if you do get a spare moment please try and completed a few of each.

As mentioned in my closing this evening there are various events happening in the GoodGym community if you fancy taking part or even turning up to cheer have a butchers at the link below. At the end of each event there is always a social so pop along and get to meet GoodGymers from other areas.

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/races

Stanka will be leading next weeks group run please sign up and give her your support in my absence.

As I will be away next week we agreed that our monthly social will be on Tuesday 4 September, following our group run. Task force members please can you canvas ideas and a venue.

12 Runners donned their running gear this evening in Croydon to run 6km to help with the community garden at St Augustine’s church. Welcome to today’s visitors Stephen (GG Lewisham) and Morag (GG Wandsworth)

Making her 2nd appearance was Miriam, who enjoyed her first outing with us last week so much that she returned for more.

Upon arrival we were met by Sue and two of her neighbours who had came across to offer their assistance. Having been briefed earlier by Sue we split into two groups one group set about clearing the brambles from the compost heap and the other under the leadership of Sue began digging away the dirt that had accumulated along the outer wall of the church and spreading it in the court yard in an attempt to level the ground.

Meanwhile over the compost heap the other group were busily unearthing various artefacts of toys that had somehow found themselves over the fence in their attempt to escape the claws of the children next door. Unfortunately for them our instructions where to return them over the fence. It was quite amusing watching members of the group trying to return the toys over the fence as the toys seemed to be putting up a holy persausive argument to stay put.

Our time at St Augustine's had come to an end, Sue invited us over to her home where she has some refreshments awaiting us.

On our run back to our start point we stopped in the Queen’s Gardens for our fitness session where the runners despite the distance covered and the shift they had put in at the task still had enough in their tanks to complete some lunges and planks. On completion of our fitness session we headed back to Solutions where we completed our cool down stretches bid our farewells.

Croydon shouts?

Congratulations Helen on completing your 15th Good Deed today.

Dre completed his 1st and 2nd missions over the weekend.

Stanka completed her 1st mission over the weekend.

Next time you see them be sure to enquire about their missions and any other questions you may have that is currently stopping you from becoming mission verified.

Next week we are heading over to Addiscombe Railway gardens, be sure to sign up

Thanks to our back marker Stephen for ensuring no one was left behind!

Keep doing good. See you next week.