This evening we ran around 3km to help clear up the litter from last year

At the weekend I was beginning to doubt the wisdom of a run on the 2nd of January especially as only 6 runners had signed up however………… the amazing GoodGym Croydon runners did not let the side down and on the night we had 17 intrepid runners turn up even although rain was forecast – well done everybody!

Off we headed for a warm-up in the nearby carpark and then headed less than 1km to the beginning of our task. Litter picks and bags in hand we split into 4 groups and started to clear the litter from the raised beds along Addiscombe Road where quite a few commuters returning home asked us what we were doing and thanked us too – think they may have been glad they were heading home to a warm house though as none offered to help!

With such a large and efficient group the task was finished early so we headed up to Parkhill where I’d planned a hill training session however with so much extra unexpected time on our hands there was time for a loop of the school (750m) even before the hill sprints. The aim of the loop was to finish as strongly as they started and not to collapse out of breath by the first corner. Everybody seemed to manage really well and still had enough energy for 3 hill sprints. We concentrated on form over speed and in particular using the arms to drive up the hill. There was even some imaginary Pringle action but that did seem to put some runners off – maybe they were hungry. Just as we were coming to the end of the fitness session the rain came down and we headed back to base where we lined the entrance hall and did our stretches inside for a change.

There were 6 new runners to GoodGym Croydon today so welcome to Tracey, Kate C, Reena, Ingrid, Kate P and Erin and we hope to see you back soon.

GoodGym has gone a bit “Facebook” and if you login and look at your profiles you wil see Your GoodGym year in review and see all the runs, good deeds and cheers you had over the last 12 months. Speaking of Facebook when I went on our open page GoodGym Croydon Runners there was a Your year in review post which is worth watching.

Our next run is on Tuesday 9th of January - the full details will be posted soon but it does involve coffee grinds, a van and muscle power!