This week marked Norwich GoodyGym’s 1st birthday.

Soon it will be walking, talking and heading off in to the big bad world, forgetting those who raised it, loved it and cared for it. Still we thought we would mark this momentous occasion with a little BBQ. We headed to our Grand Poobah’s home/mini estate and got down to business. Mountains of salad was revealed, from pasta and potato to rice and barley (we are right fancy and varied here in Norfolk). Tonnes of meat and vegan substitute burgers complimented the flowing drinks and witty repartee. With the sun out, the swing ball set up and Steve on the barby, we were all set for the best group task we’ve done to date.

After eating our weight in food we relaxed on blankets, under a shady oak to listen to Steve relive some of our favourite GoodGym moments, puns and runs. After a jog down memory lane Steve awarded Jasmine with “most improved runner”, whilst Bill and Katy won “GoodGym-er of the year”. Well-deserved all around. Unbeknownst to Steve, the team had went behind his back to make him a special card and thank you bag in recognition of all the effort he has put in to help create our wonderful running family.

Leaving the sappy stuff behind, it was time to get stuck into some games. A hybrid game of relay sack croquet was under way, with rules too convoluted for any to follow. However, if you were hungering for drama you need have looked no further than the mӧllky field. No idea what mӧllky is?! Well neither did we. Still it created a level of excitement and drama on par to the most tense world cup final. So if you still haven’t googled mӧllky, you probably should.

With the afternoon finally winding down we unveiled the deserts! A lovely summer pudding was provided by Bill and Katy, and two cakes were baked by Calum. To celebrate Sarah and Tom moving to New Zealand next week (with some travelling first mind you) one of the cakes featured a kiwi. Some say the cake contained actual kiwi bird, but these claims have remained unsubstantiated. Still there were mutters that the GoodGym birthday cake was too delicious for words, and birthday orders have already been placed.

With GoodGym’s birthday well and truly celebrated, the team finished their epic game of mӧllky (because a good mӧllky game takes hours) and retired, weary but happy, to their homes. Resting so they are prepared for tomorrows run.

P.s. – With Tom and Sarah leaving our running family I wanted to leave you with this:

Somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying. You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you'll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you're those kind of a guys. And will they succeed? Yes! They will indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed!)

Calum wrote all of the above by the way.