In February 2025 I broke my ankle on a trail run, and although I am out of the cast, walking boot and needing crutches, the return to running has been slow.

Why am I telling you this back story? This isn't a recipe blog, there's surely no need for it.

Well, it's because a couple of weeks ago I realised that GoodGym tasks had given me the activity + achievement feeling. This is similar to the mastery + enjoyment criteria needed for Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's psychological state of optimal experience 'Flow' (not to be confused with the state of Flo, which is me and my appearance). Though, once again I am treating this run report like a recipe blog and not getting to the point.

Litter picking is an easy way for me to feel happy and be active, that returning to couch to 5k is not making me feel as much.

So, off I went to clean up the unclean streets of Cardiff.

I was slightly depressed by filling up my first bag in half a mile. I was further depressed by filling up my second bag in 0.23 of a mile. The third bag took a more promising 0.75 of a mile to fill, partly because I could not put the abandoned armchair into my litter bag, despite my best efforts.

The 4th bag then took 1.44 miles to fill up. This was very promising. I stopped for a coffee at this point.

Part two involved a different route back home. I filled the 5th bag in 1.04 miles, and the 6th bag in 0.41 of a mile.

There was a beautiful pair of discarded shoes. I also noticed that the most popular discarded chocolate bar wrapper was Twix, the most popular discarded can was Stella Artois, and the most popular discarded takeaway coffee cup was McDonalds.

Three GoodGymers headed down to their familiar friend Cardiff junior parkrun on a sunny Sunday morning to help out.

Michael was barcode scanning, Fiona was marshalling at playground, and Flo was run director.

Well done to the 179 finishers who took part in parkrun!

Here are some fun numbers for you.

Yesterday was Cardiff junior parkrun's 444th event.

Out of those 179 parkrunners, 31 had visited for the first time, and 46 parkrunners got a new personal best time.

Cardiff junior parkrun also gave out 5 milestone wristbands:

1 x Half Marathon Wristband - 11 junior parkruns, 3 x Marathon Wristbands - 21 junior parkruns, and 1 x 100 wristband for the same amount of parkruns.

All of this was made possible by the 31 volunteers. Nearly 10% of that was just GoodGym members. 👏👏👏

After a wet few days we welcomed our goodgym group task back, and it welcomed us with beaming sunshine.

We also welcomed our new GoodGymer Hosam.

CROESO

Tonight's task was up at Global Gardens, we recently had our 8th anniversary there.

Plenty to do there, so once Michael had let us in and got out the tools it was straight to work.

There were some Hazel trees needing some care and attention, taking out the brambles and opening them up to more light.

We chatted about our experiences being in nature, and took plenty of photos of each other. It was great getting to know each other more and enjoying the task.

time to go

We made our way back to the City Centre, said our farewell (until next week) and made our ways home. Tired from a good walk and task workout.

See you all next week.

222 juniors came out today to take part in Cardiff Junior parkrun. I was there as a marshal, and also had bonus roles of photographer and finish token creator.

I went out and about on a litter pick down my street today, as I noticed it was looking a bit minging.

Whilst picking up the trash, I was mulling over my 'favourite' categories of trash on a litter pick.

1. Rubbish next to a bin (so close to gold, just fails on the dismount)

2. Rubbish in amongst a flower bed (what could make this look worse?)

3. Inventive hiding spots (down any nook and cranny of brick, bench or building. But I worked in a canteen once and have a sixth sense for rubbish).

Included in the more interesting items were a learners 'L' plate, a beanie hat and a worrying amount of the same cocktails in a can along the same street that hosts a high school, an army barracks, a civil service office and a health centre.

Tonight was an evening of celebration.

We welcomed our newest member to the group Jessica

CROESO JESS

Another goodgym baby on the way, we can't wait to meet them Sophie.

And finally, introducing the new Lucy, now with wings....

Happy 100th Deed

Our walkers set off first, a direct route to the task, whilst Michael took the joggers on a slightly lengthened route to the task.

A nice evening for a run, with a good breeze. Once we arrived it was straight to work, the gloves out and the tasks explained.

It has been a while since we were last here, and the genes had certainly bounced back since their last trim. This was the first job for Lucy, to contain the growth and stop it encroaching onto the pathways.

Everybody else, over to the fence, it is time for a fence painting frenzy.

There was no stopping us, even a slight bit of rain fixing halt us. Thankfully the rain passed by quite quickly, so the painting continued along with the conversation of the task.

Have you got your own dabber?

Bingo, well that's the next social sorted then...

Lucy had moved on to dead heading roses and the painting crew had nearly finished the second large fence. No leaving until this parts complete. It was a quick run back, so we stayed on a little longer than usual in order to finish the fence.

Quick group photo, then off we popped.

Next week we head over to global gardens , join us for some active fun.