The last task of the January challenge brought out double digits of runners. We won't talk about our good deed target, but superb to smash the distance one!

After a discussion about my tiger knees, I performed a seamless introduction and away we went. Really nice to meet Linn, hopefully you enjoyed your first (of many) task and run, and aren't put off by rumours that heel clicks at Parkrun are mandatory.

Birthday boy Ben led us out at a rapid pace and we were at the church in no time.

As there was a limited amount of paint, everyone dug in except the specimens who did some fitness. Andy had a nap on the floor, Russell complained about his back and quit wall sits early, and Rich posed as he loves to do. We were incredulous that Sallyann thought it didn't look intense enough and has challenged anyone to a plank off at the summer beer festival. As you can imagine, Fay was very impressed and filmed us for social media, perhaps a trial run for ITV!

The painting went well, we ran out but managed most of the room. It didn't help that Joel decided to use some of the sacred sauce on his face (great to have him back) and Martin has offered to paint the ceiling when required.

After a brief, totally legit vote, we decided to run a longer way back. Joints creaking we got back to base and chatted about how my acca was going to win loads of money and i would take everyone for dinner. Sadly I got 50% of them wrong. Next time.

Very successful task. Very successful run. Hopefully next week's task will be similarly so (removals and bringing walls down) and so will the pub quiz!

On a cold January evening Jane and I braved the elements and met Leanne at the old factory gym ready for a lovely chatty run to kick start our fitness and get over the lurgy for the new year.

We reached St John's church hall in no time where we met Fay and Sallyann already hard at work painting the skirting board. The plan was to get at least half done before coming back next week, but being the well oiled machine that we are we managed to get a whole coat of paint the whole way round the room.

With that we packed up and said our goodbyes, Fay and Sallyann walking back, Jane running home to get some dinner and Leanne and I running back to base to get a few more running miles in.

We'll be back at the church hall next week to give the skirting board a second coat.

And it will be you last chance to help us reach our target for the January challenge. So please come along if you are free.

Until then.... RUN HAPPY

Rich

As this is one of our furthest tasks we had a mix of runners and meet-you-therers.

Setting off promptly at 6.30, Andy backmarked from the front to save me having to guide us from google maps. Robert told us the unbeelievable requirements for his Guinness World Record attempt for Manchester marathon in a beekeepers suit. Martin went all the way to South America for months and hardly saw any of it? Slacker. Russell confessed all too late that he hates painting and may volunteer for leading to swerve future work.

We got to the community centre and the music was blasting, but we were there to dance with paintbrushes and not each other. Sallyann had picked the most awkward spot and Richard jumped behind the remaining desks to help. Leanne and Fay had started from either end of the room and we all jumped in the middle to get the job done.

More decorating on the cards for next week.