Was a bit enthusiastic about this run, for three reasons:

• Very healthy sign ups, creeping up to pre-virus levels, with some new faces to meet and some old ones to catch up with.

• First time checking out out Print House, what a classy new base it is, fertile ground for socials, nice and spacious inside, warm staff and a handy location to set off from.

• It was a beautiful clear bright sky all day, autumnal temperature sure, but that's perfect for running.

Did our normal warm up at outside Print House, then a run through some race reports from Lil and Siobhan at Hackney. Lil's first one, you can extract huge confidence from that, and Siobhan ticking off another 13.1 miles, not her best, but that's okay. Then our RWQ: "What are you looking forward to this Autumn?" Wearing a thick knitted jumper, a sunny trip to Spain, sporting a new autumn coat, taking in Croatia, running London Marathon, running Chester Marathon, Christmas (!) and riding a new tandem bike. A plethora of excitement in store for GGN runners.

Once at Cody Dock, the inimitable Basia instructed us to assist with some wood based tasks; oiling and sanding. Three groups went off into different stretches of the docks and completed their jobs. Kev, Dan and I were oiling, having less height than the other two, I was deemed the sacrificial lamb to enter the large wooden box, in order to reach the hard to get to places. On all fours head first, and basically trapped in, compromised is the word that springs to mind.

We had a nice trot back to base for our last Weds of the month social. Pizzas and refreshments were had, races tactics were discussed, nutritional strategies analysed - a wholesome evening in all.

We are back on an every Wednesday Group Run schedule, so block out your calendars and let's build some routine. Next week we are at Manorfield Primary School, sign up here, helping them shift 5 tonnes of compost.

Have a great weekend, especially you marathoners.

B