16 signed …. Only 7 dared to feel the heat. No one can blame them, it was a scorcher, a magnificent day! But with a task that had slipped from our grip the most magnificent seven ventured into the oven baked Richmond town to get some good done.

So school was out…sadly our task owner had cancelled at very short notice and the best use for the forecast 16 runners was work in progress right up until 30 minutes before we started the warm up. After much debate and some pre-running around the fences on Richmond Green seemed to be the place that we could make the most difference. This was supported later by the fact that a tourist runner expressed how appalled they were on initial viewing of the fence when we arrived… “I am disappointed in Richmond” was what was actually said.

So being quite patriotic about Richmond, I imagine there are some of you reading this that are already in tears, but fear not the run report is not over yet.

A big salute to the 7 that made it tonight and a particular welcome to one runner visiting, our very own founder, Ivo - It was lovely to have you join us.

Last night we celebrated “I Am Team GB”, Saturday 24th August was the nation’s biggest sports day, aiming to continue to inspire more people to be active; so, with banners and badges and our own relay race we played our part.

Richmond green was a buzz with many lounging in the sun and even though it was warm there was always room for a warm up. We kept it quite brief as we didn’t want to peak to early - we were keen to save enough juice for the 5km run ahead and still squeeze in our shuttle run competition where the winners got to blast the rest with some leaky pistols!

Feeling energised and a tad refreshed we took a tourist approach to the run, capturing Richmond Hill, the scenes from the top, a quick wave to Richmond park and then down to say hello to the cows on Petersham Common before making our way back along the river to the fences on Richmond Green.

Not only is Richmond Green famous for many a red headed orchestrated warm up, but it used to host Jousting tournaments in the Middle Ages (I feel the knights would be proud of our own tournaments) ,when English monarchs were living in or visiting what is now called Richmond. For over 400 years, Richmond Green has been edged by houses and commercial premises – built to provide accommodation for people serving or visiting Richmond Palace. In 1625 Charles I brought his court here to escape the plague in London and by the early 18th century these had become the homes of "minor nobility, diplomats, and court hangers-on.

So for this awesome community space in Richmond our task was to keep up appearances and address the not so white fences on the edge of the green. It started with a quick trip to the pub to ask the landlord for half a bucket (no it’s not what you think) …of hot water, and we had 3 rounds of this.

Back on the green we added some soapy flash and then armed with a small number of sponges and cloths we blitzed through as many of the posts as we could and all the while against the setting sun. It was lovely to hear a few passes by thanking us for our efforts and one couldn’t help feeling huge satisfaction in seeing the transformation in the colour of the fences by the time we had finished.

One can only hope too that in the brilliant light of day with fences now sparkling the words “I am disappointed in Richmond” will never be heard again.

All that was left to do was take our last photo in the dark and have a quick re-warm up to cool down…oh and of course, mull over a pun, quite painfully and then debate as ever who would like to write the run report (there was no jousting to determine the answer to this one.)

Next week we are running to Vineyard and hopefully all will be a little less chaotic so looking forward to seeing you then.

In the meantime, please consider how you think we should celebrate GoodGym’s birthday, we can share ideas over a drink next week after the run.

6 runners stepped out into the beautiful spring sunshine.....oh no wait ...that's not right, silly me.

6 runners braved the rain, some making a risky decision of abandoning water proofs ...we soon regretted it!

We ran to Thomson House School, a firm favourite in the GG calendar. Once there we swept any rubbish in the playground we could find....only pausing to race one another with our brooms...watch out for us in a curling competition in the next Olympics. We then moved onto weeding hoping that we wouldn't unearth frogs under what looked like a lost boys camp fire in the playground.

After a photo in front of the daffodils ....with us asking Mark to self impose a photo of the sun behind us as we hide our shivers.

We ran back with the task of not only thinking of a pun but also to discuss our favourite summer running song....someone really want's to see those rays eh Mark???

So 6 runners ran 6km and we did it with passion and enthusiasm even without the sunshine and to celebrate we went for a short in the pub (Ok maybe not quite a short ...but there was talk about the impressive whiskey selection.)

Thank you to all for making Mondays that little bit brighter..... laughing in the rain and great tales in the pub after

News! Don't forget Tug of War is taking place in June, let Mark know if you are interested...we could win a night worth of drinking.

Well that’s what we thought the loud dog was trying to say to us when it was making all that noise during the warm up outside Wholefoods! After a quick briefing from Mark we got on with our stretching and lunging paying particular attention to our leg muscles today. Tibialis muscles and gastrocnemius to be specific as well as those that lead down into the foot. This is our second week into exploring some strength exercises specific for running.....guess we just need to start incorporating them into our routines. Definitely by February anyway once the Jan Challenge is complete!

Jason and David started us off at a brisk pace straight away and we all somehow managed to keep up as we raced through the streets of Richmond and East Sheen. We were greeted at the door of Thomson House School by the very lovely Jeremy, who wasn’t expecting so many of us to turn up ready for some physical education! After a brief moment of disbelief he swiftly put the kettle on before handing out cloths, mops and all purpose cleaner. There was heaps to do in this 200 year old (approx) converted Church which now houses some of the older years in this growing Mortlake school. Before long the muddy shoe rack had gone from NO to GLOW, the windows from SMEAR to CLEAR and the floor from NEIN to SHINE. We mopped, we hoovered and we polished, stopping only for a cup of tea and a chocolate digestive. Except for Vicky, who didn’t even stop, but continued with a tea in one hand and Henry hoover in the other. Time was up, and if Mark hadn’t told us that, the confused zumba class that walked in definitely meant that we were on our last number. Turning our backs on the empty mugs and dancers, off we headed back along Upper Richmond Road and back to Wholefoods in another fast-paced jog. Seems the biscuits were fuel injected judging some of the speeds we were seeing.

Welcome to Aran on his first run and what a pace too! Also Sundara and Jules joining us again on the second run out to do good with Richmond ....great stuff!

News and updates ... Last call for anyone interested in a London Marathon Slot running for the Poppy Factory! Let me know if interested

Next week is leaflets with a difference..it's a race 3 teams - 3 locations and we race the clock and each other. Speed training for all levels!! (ooohh so exciting!) Please bring a head torch and a small back pack will be most useful for you - or a coat with big pockets - Your call!!

As it stands we sit at 51 deeds out of a 120 target....this will be at 65 by end of today. I thought we were slightly further along so all hinges on next week...bring a friend eh! Also we are at 556km's and target was estimated at 840. We still have 10 days so log every step you take Richmond ; )

Have a great week Richmond and happy running!