On a wet and miserable autumn night, eight of Goodgym's hardiest runners met to do good in the Borough and ran between 6km and 8km in process.

If last week's run was biblical, this was more of Tempest in a Teapot. The rain always threatened but never became harder than drizzle. Far from ideal for outside deeds but GG Redbridge are made of tough stuff and the enthusiasm for running and making things better was high.

With Julia returning to the group for the second time (well done Julia) and Momoko welcomed back before her return to Japan, the squad were soon filling up buckets with hot soapy water and off down the road in the direction of Barnados Charity Shop.

Keeping the windows sparkling clean is a never ending task for high street charity shops and can become a significant expense during the course of a year. As such, we aim to get out on to our high street every six to eight weeks and do what we do best - get hot and sweaty and do if for them.

Task done and tools deposited, the squad headed up the road towards Redbridge roundabout and the site of the evening's run based work out. Using the coloured walkway/cycleway between two underpasses, the team ran for 20 minutes alternating between easy and hard efforts. Cruise intervals can be a fantastic way of building aerobic endurance and with the weather being poor, the runner is always moving.

A short jog back to base and some easy stretching signalled the end of festivities for this week. Well done to all those that came and braved the weather. You are all legends.

SAVE THE DATE. It's a bit early to use the C word but before diaries get booked up, we are going to hold the Goodgym Redbridge Christmas Party on Monday 2 December - after the run and task. I will book a space in The George. All welcome and encouraged. Spread the word.

On a pleasant summer evening, nine of Goodgym's bestest (OK I'm biased) runners met to water plants and say a sad goodbye to Momoko. They even ran 6km in the process.

First things first, a huge WELL DONE to the Goodgym Redbridge team for putting up a brilliant show at the Goodgym Olympics on Saturday. There were podiums for welly-wanging, stilt racing, cake baking and even some actual sports, with Run Leader Peter narrowly being beaten into second in the 100m. A brilliant effort from so many people and it was great to see the new GG Redbridge flag in all its glory! A special shout to Dharmesh for rallying the troops and organising the team ahead of the big day.

Back closer to home, the group met at Wanstead House as usual with a request to water the beds on George Green for Wanstead Community Gardeners. A few new plants had also been planted by the Fish & Chip shop on Wanstead High Street and the decision was made to split into two groups with John leading the way in one and Peter leading the group in the other.

With watering cans full and the group divided in two, the task was soon complete and the plants were saved from the continued warm conditions. Five minutes later watering cans were returned and the group was off up Wanstead High Street, destination Eagle Pond and some trail running adventures.

We're super lucky to have Epping Forest on our doorstep and Eagle Pond is one of our favourite locations for a post run task. The trees provide great shelter from the sun and the rolling terrain makes for a challenging but fun route around the water. It's so pretty right now, it's hard to believe we are only 22 minutes by tube from Liverpool Street.

With the run done all that was left to do was a bit of light stretching followed by a fond farewell to Momoko. Momoko has been an avid part of the group for the last few months but sadly is leaving us to return to Japan. She's been an enthusiastic member of the group and hopefully will head back to Japan and plant the seeds of Goodgym Japan when she gets back. We wish her all the luck for the future and hope our paths cross again in future.

Next week we head back into the mean streets of Wanstead to do more good deeds. You can join us by signing up using the link on the top right of this page. What are you waiting for?

Update: Photos are now ready: Please click this link for the wonderful pictures of the day taken by Tom Hunter and Sarah Rajabalee Photos

Well what a day, on Saturday 3rd August I checked the weather forecast and was relieved to see the chances of rain was limited, however what they failed to say was just over Hampstead heath, there was going to be from 12 o’clock onwards flashes of red thunder would be seen. The local residents should have been warned a sea of red was heading to Hampstead heath armed with cakes, carved vegetables, frying pans and bags full of energy, witnesses said that it was very infectious.

So after lots of emails and badge/medal making the third GoodGym Olympics took place. Over 160 folks from all over the GoodGym community came to London to compete in the annual sports day. Events on offer were classic running events such as the 400m and elimination mile to more novel but just as serious ones such as the egg and spoon and a first time entry the Bucket stilt relay. The day was amazing and brought together some fantastic competition and lovely fun sprint. We saw photo finishes on so many races including a tense 100m to a mass final lap on the 5,000m, the energy and sprite was amazing and just sums up GoodGym.

This years event had a marching band created from a competition I set up to create an Olympic anthem, James and Laura from Lambeth created two entries and Mark, Lambeth leader, joined them together to make an amazing effort and brought together a number of musicians to create a marching band for the day, it was beyond words. Alongside the events we had a loads of lovely baked goods taking part in the bake off and some amazing carved vegetables in the veg competition. I have included a few pictures as they say it better than my typed words. Loads of new things were introduced this year from medals hand made from clay, amazing village games, area badges and temporary tattoos which all look great.

I have organised this for the last three years and every year folks contributions and enthusiasm amazes me and makes it all worth it, although this is a lot of work to put it together there are a number of people whose effort and ensure the days goes on without any hitches, from the first aiders to the commentators, timing team, village games organisers, start of the day setting uppers, marshals, bake off helpers and bakers, loads and loads of people. Also mega shout out to the areas that travel far and wide to come, you made such an effort and it was lovely you made the effort, shout out to Colchester, Bristol, Brighton, Oxford, Portsmouth and York

When I can compile the results I can find I will make them public as with when more photos come available. Anyhow, thank you so much for coming and getting involved it was truly a great day and everyone contributed to it. Next year as we have had three years in London, I am looking for an area outside to host it, stay tunes for announcements coming up in the next few months.

Nice one, Tom

On a pleasant summer's evening, 12 of Goodgym's most committed runners headed out into Wanstead Park to cut down Ivy and ran 6km in the process.

The best thing about the summer months is that we get to run a little further and get more involved in outdoor tasks. For our last run in July, we had a new task in conjunction with Vision RCL - the organisation responsible for maintaining all the leisure and outdoor facilities in the borough - no mean task I can tell you. Big shout to Dharmesh for finding this task! We also welcome back, our glorious leader Ivo and Sophie who joined us for only the second time.

With tools and gloves packed, the group split into two, one opting for a shorter route to Wanstead Park and the other a slightly quicker and longer route. Within 20 minutes both groups were reunited but the overgrown pathways were no where to be seen. In the usual Goodgym way, this didn't prevent us getting stuck in to a task and the decision was made to tackle some of the ivy which suffocates and stunts the growth of trees.

Half an hour after the task began a huge pile of ivy had been prised from the trees with some particularly long creepers pulled from the sky. John and Ivo ran a close competition for 'who has the longest vine' with John's effort winning by around 50cm. Nice work John!

With tired arms and legs, all that was left was an easy jog back to base for some light stretching and catch up chat. Well done to all those that came down and got involved. Sometimes, the more impromtu tasks can be most fun and this one was certainly one we will look to repeat again - we might even find those mythical brambles!

Finally, a good luck cheer to all the Redbridge Goodgymers who are involved in the Goodgym Olympics this weekend. I know you will do us proud!