Twelve terrific runners made the most of a balmy summer evening to head to Cator Park to help the wonderful Friends of Cator and Alexandra Parks.

A huge Bromley welcome to Gary who joined us for his first foray in GoodGym, and massive congratulations to Hannah who celebrated her 100th good deed tonight, honoured with a slightly ropey pun... Helena's suggestion of Cator-aid would have been the undisputed winner if not for the special occasion.

We popped over to Crystal Palace Park for a quick warm-up, the runners splitting into 2 teams for a 'flip the cones' relay race, before heading off through Penge to Cator Park. We were welcomed by Millie, Siobhan and Penny and given our list of tasks for the evening, along with a magnificent selection of gloves and tools to work with. We soon set to work cutting back the dreaded brambles and wayward shrubs, and giving the beds a good tidy-up. A vigilant Mark spotted some courgettes growing in one bed, not your usual park find! The big red 'hands' went down a treat, with Georgina modeling them with some panache.

//Watch out for the big red ali-cator!

The mosquitoes were unfortunately out in force so there was much arm waving and leg slapping to try to ward off the blighters. After we had created several satisfyingly large mounds of cuttings with the aid of the big red 'hands', wielded with panache by Georgina, we downed tools, but not before giving Hannah a guard of honour, cunningly creating a '100' with the aid of the 'hands' and a broom. Well done everyone!

Cake was calling so we set off back to our start point, but not before a sideways diversion into another of Penge's green spaces for a mini strength session. The plank caterpillar was a good idea in theory but who put those rose bushes there?! A few rose bushes weren't going to put off the resourceful runners though, who created a new game of plank roundabout. The arms had been given a good workout with the task and the plank, so I decided it was the turn of the legs, with everyone's favourite Moby song.

//Did somebody say cake?

After what seemed like a never-ending squat-athon, we headed back to the Bridge House for not one, not two, but THREE celebratory sweet treats to enjoy. My effort of shop-bought gingerbread men (with Blue Peter-esque red t-shirts) paled into insignificance when compared with the amazing banana and chai cake whipped up by our very own masterchef Bradley, and some fabulous sticky ginger cake lovingly baked by the lady of the moment, Hannah. What a great end to the night!

Next week we return to the Living Well foodbank, which is always a popular task.

Don't forget to enter the ballot for the £10 community places in next year's Big Half on Sunday 1st March, entries close on Friday 23rd August. Email bighalf@goodgym.org if you fancy challenging yourself to a half marathon around the streets of London.

A little closer to our Bromley home is the Conquer Crystal Palace half marathon on Saturday 7th September, which also has 5km, 10km and 15km options. Check it out here

8 fabulous runners ran 6km to help the Friends of Forest Hill Station prepare for the InBloom judges.

A big welcome to Sandy who arrived resplendent in his red top to join us for his first ever group run.

The garden was full of post-work revelers enjoying a drink in the sun but, as tempting as it was to stay and join them, we headed over to the park for a quick warm up and introduction before making our way to Forest Hill station. Thanks to Stuart for back-marking the group (and for the pun). We were joined at the station by Vic, Clare and Darryl, who were waiting with Quetta who had a list of jobs for us to do. Top of the list was watering the plants in front of the station, in the planters on the platforms and across the road from the station. The last time we visited mother nature had taken care of this, but we have been more fortunate with the weather this week so they were in need of a good soaking. Darryl took control of the hose and gave the plants a good drink, trying not to squirt Stuart who set to work on pruning some unruly plants. Amongst them we found some wild strawberries, it's amazing what you can find in the most unlikely of places.

Amongst the throng of commuters coming and going a lady stopped to tell us that seeing us had put a smile on her face, a lovely comment that put a smile on ours too.

Sandy, Mark and Clare headed off to clear the weeds from the garden on the platform, which is thriving and smells fabulous, thanks to the herb garden. They had soon tidied the space and set to work watering the planters on the platform. Tim added to his mileage by making several journeys over the bridge, watering can in hand, much to the bemusement of the commuters.

When the chips are down

Vic soon regretted volunteering to clear some chips that had been thrown onto a cobbled area. Who knew chips could be so difficult to sweep and could smell so bad?! She wished she'd packed a clothes-peg amongst everything else she'd stashed down the front of her top. GoodGymer's are a hardy bunch though, good work Vic!

It's amazing how much work 8 people can do in half an hour, and we had soon watered, weeded and tidied everywhere. Time for us to down tools and to head back to the park, waving goodbye to Vic, Clare and Darryl.

For my first fitness session as run leader, I had chosen a mysterious-sounding Indian relay. Stuart, Sandy, Mark and Tim soon set off at a gentle pace around a 1km loop, in a line about 5m in-front of each other. Once they had got their rhythm, the person at the back sprinted to the front and, once back in step, yelled or signalled for the next person to repeat. There was some impressive sprinting to be seen, great work guys!

It was soon time for a stretch and a chat before heading off to watch the second half of the England world cup semi-final.

Next week we are heading up to the Upper Norwood Library Hub to clear their outside space. Excitingly, this will be our second Pengiversary, and Adele has promised cake (she does great cake). Further details are on the run-page, have a look and sign-up here. Did I mention there'll be cake?!

We have been invited to take part in Alexandra Rec's 'Physicality in the Park' on 28th July, where we will be tidying a few flower beds and spreading the word about GoodGym. It has been listed as a community mission, have a look and sign-up here.

Thanks for making my first outing as run leader go so smoothly, I hope I passed muster.