After a speedy intro chat we got outside for a warm-up. Thinking about warming up those ankles, shins, calves and hips.

Following that we headed off on the 1.4km run to Star road and Maystar Estate. The Hammersmith and Fulham Goodgym has been back here a few times this year to help out in both the communal areas and some private gardens of older people who aren't able to care for them. This time we were there to dismantle some broken office furniture that had been left in the community hall and plant some daffodil bulbs in the flower beds around the estate.

After leaving a team of 4 to get going with the furniture lead by Jason; Pauline, the lovely task owner took us on a walk through the large estate to pointed out the flower beds.

Unfortunately, the estate's trowels had gone AWOL so the planting crew had to use the handle end of the rack and hoe to make holes in the ground. The method certainly didn't slow them down.

Actually, both the planting gang and the furniture team got their tasks done in no time, which left us enough time for a nice run back via the river. Thanks for wearing your headtorches!!

After getting back to base and doing a warm down, we all trooped down to The Distillers for our October social. Cheers to everyone that came! Sorry to those that got stuck at work, you were missed!

Helen suggested we do the 10k in Putney on 3rd December. Will you join us? Details and RSVP here

Next week, is Halloween and we're helping paint garden furniture and plant MORE bulbs. Sign up here

This week 13 GoodGym-ers ran 5.7km to help Muswell Hill Food Bank weed, vacuum, mop and wipe.

We started with a few warm up drills along the side of the Phoenix that I learnt from the NBMCR middle- and long- distance coach Steve Vernon at the New Balance HQ last week. Nicola was a pro at these straight off the bat!

With our legs all warm and our numbers all counted, it was time to head off towards Muswell Hill. Hazel kept me company leading the pack, while Chris was our trusty back-marker.

On arrival we were greeted by Aimee and Deborah, who dished out the tasks before everyone got to work. We had an outside team weeding the patio, an inside team vacuuming and mopping the floors, a window team wiping the windows and Sarah was a team all on her own cleaning doors.

While all this was going on, a couple practiced their wedding dance inside. Deborah treated us to some bananas.

Once all the working was out of the way, it was time for a few strength drills. Walking pause lunges to improve balance, core stability and single-leg strength, bear and crab crawls to improve core, quad, glute and shoulder strength, and kicking squats - again to build that single-leg strength. Running is a series of single-leg jumps, so you really ought to make sure both legs are holding their own if you want to avoid injury, run faster or ran further.

We then ran back to base, with Nicola helping me lead the way and Freya our trusty back-marker. With Chris and Shawn hot on our tails we ended up running up the hills faster than we ran down them on the way home, which made no sense but was fantastic for everyone's legs and lungs and general levels of awesomeness - so good job!

This week's Barnet Biscuit: Chocolate fingers, courtesy of Freya

This week's pun, courtesy of Damian.

It's Freya's birthday next week, so there will be cakes and merriment to celebrate on Saturday. You can sign up here

We need a couple more volunteers for gardening at the Westminster Drug Project on Saturday. Sign up here

There's also a mission to help Mrs F on Saturday and a mission to help Grange Big Local set up their community festival on Sunday.

This evening we ran around 2km and helped at the annual Health Walk celebrations

This morning 3 runners joined forces with some of the Active Lifestyles team in Croydon Council to set up the gazebo in Queens Gardens for the annual celebratory walk organized by Lauren for the Walking for Health scheme in Croydon. Every year the walkers head off from different locations around Croydon and congregate to drink tea, eat biscuits and catch-up with each other. It is also a chance for them to celebrate the hard work many of the volunteers have done leading walks across the borough in all weathers. Today we also took the opportunity to say thank you to Lauren who has coordinated the scheme for the last three years and who is heading off to pastures new on Monday.

We did have in “interesting” time setting up the gazebo and preparing the refreshments – store cupboards not wanting to open, gazebos trying to fly away and a few random passersby trying out the biscuits! It all worked out in the end though and the walkers seemed to enjoy the refreshments and the live entertainment too.

Neil decided not to come along for the fitness session as he has plantar fasciitis so stayed to help serve the teas and coffees – and sneak in a few jaffa cakes! Jane and I set off to Park Hill Rec for a lovely run and chat before heading back for our stretches, tea and biccies which I felt were well deserved.

During the cool-down we chatted about next week’s session at Park Hill Rec which looks like being a great task.

This week 16 GG-ers ran 6km to deliver flyers for Grange Big Local's community fair on 8 October.

We were joined by a couple of GG newbies: Samantha and Ben. Also recent newbies who started while I was in Spain: Kani and Alice – give 'em all a cheer!

We were also treated to a visit by Gary from Bristol who is starting a 3,000km cycle adventure on Sunday!!

We headed to Cherry Tree Wood for a quick warm up (there'll be a boomerang up on Twitter!) before heading off on our run. Paul helped me lead while Damian was our trusty back-marker, giving his legs a rest after his epic Sunday run.

We soon reached a deadend, which seemed the perfect time to split into our flyering leap frog formation. One team with me, one with Damian. We covered roads we've not often run down, which is always a treat, and took on some mighty hills.

After a quick circuit in a car park hitting the glutes, hammies, core, pecs and shoulders, it was time to head home. We just had to get up the steep car park exit first. Nicola helped me navigate back to the Phoenix at lightning speed.

This week's Barnet Biscuit: The MIGHTY Oreo

Next week we'll be running to help Muswell Hill Food Bank. Sign up here If you have gardening gloves, bring them. And probably a head torch.

On SUNDAY, Jody is organising an ultimate frisbee game and everyone is invited. Sunday 1st October, meeting 11am at the Regents Bar and Kitchen in Regent's Park. The more the merrier!

Apologies for the lack of photos - all the ones I took on the task were rubbish and I forgot to take a group photo! iPhones weren't built for nighttime photography!

Be sure to sign up for the Halloween Run on 24 Sept. We'll be setting up a haunted house. It's all hands on deck with this one, as it's quite far and will need all the help we can get to make sure we finish. 4km each way. Tell your friends.