Three was definitely the magic number in Bromley tonight, as we ran just over 7km, cleared two flower beds at Downham Community Centre and tackled some hills into the bargain.

Is it getting a little warmer? Maybe. Hoorah!

A big thank you to Tom for this week's title pun, good work. It seems Tom likes a pun and starts thinking about it at the beginning of the run. That's impressive, I usually leave it right until the end of the run report, when I'm really tired.

All set to take on a slightly longer run this week, we warmed up our bodies and raised our heart rates with some drills over in the little park across the road - it's good to fire up those muscles and loosen the limbs before heading out on the road. Clutching my scrawled directions (yes, all very high-tech), we ran out along Kentish Way and took a left, back towards the High Street. I know, I know, we should have gone right, but we soon realised and turned to run in the opposite direction (that's the 'and a bit' in the '7 and a bit km'). It's always a treat to have a longer run, where you have a chance to catch up (lots of talk about parkrun, goals and the 'Breaking 2' event last weekend - we all agreed it's incredible to see what the body can achieve and how far we can push ourselves under the right circumstances).

Our outward run wasn't exactly the scenic route, but it did the job and we were soon crossing the road towards Downham Community Centre, which was a-buzz with energy, with lots of different activities going on, including a Taekwondo class, full of children looking very focused and determined. Have a look at the list of activities that happen here, such a great hub for the local community!

How to hoe happily

Our job for the evening was to clear the rear garden of weeds, with Shane handing us some tools, gloves and bags and showing us where to focus our attention. Tom was given some hedge clippers, while I ineptly attempted to demonstrate how to use the hoe that Stania had been given. No, no, no! It seems I've been wrongly judging the usefulness of a hoe until now, as Tom informed us that he grew up with a very large garden and a very particular Dad. Cue an impressively skillful wielding of a very handy tool. We decided to exchange tools and get stuck in. It didn't take long to reveal a flowerbed, which had been hidden beneath brambles, bindweed and goose-grass (thank goodness we all had our long sleeves on, that stuff is evil!).

Once we had cleared this area, we realised, if we were quick, we might just get another area cleared. Quick sticks! With some concerted tugging, chopping and bashing, we had this area taken back to its roots, as it were and it was time to tidy up and hand back our tools.

Having enjoyed a downward pull on our way here, we gritted out teeth to take on Bromley Hill (and yes, it is hilly). How fortuitous to spot a handy borough sign to include in our group selfie (sorry, it's upside-down again), just about halfway up! Time to get our breath back and take a well-earned break :) We had indeed crossed borders on this run, with the boroughs of Lewisham and Bromley merging, but we were now back in Bromley and nearing our start point. Here Stania and I said a brief farewell to Tom , as he stretched his legs on a sprint finish.

A quick stretch and a chat about next week, when I will be leading the run again. Why not sign up and join us?

The Long and Winding Road

Oooooooooh, it was a long one last night to Scadbury Park. 5.5k each way! Would we make it? Who knew? But no messing around: no prolonged briefings or warm ups or any such business, we had to start running.

The Fool On The Hill

Who put this hill here? Who decided it should go on for about a mile?

Norwegian Wood

Norwegian Woods are notoriously dense and difficult to navigate, much like Scadbury Park. OK, it wasn't that difficult because task owner Andrew had given us directions. Across the boardwalk, follow the stream. After a couple of false alarms we found our task.

Trees Trees Me/Log Log Me Do

There was a massive pile of branches, logs and bigger logs to shift. Luckily we are all super strong. BUT some of them were a bit prickly and rough. What could we do....?

All You Need is Gloves

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

With A Little Help From My Friends

Despite there only being four of us and only having twenty minutes to work we made a significant impact.

Get Back

On the way back (where we got to enjoy going down that hill) we discussed Pun of the Month, and how we should engineer a future task and activities to allow us to win it. Get your thinking caps on, Bromley.

A Hard Day's Night

We were also all so hungry from running and shifting so much that we decided on the very first Bromley Social. Taking place next week post-run at Byron Burger. Yum.

(Hello) Goodbye,
Simon

Aah, isn't it lovely to have a light evening?

This week Simon was recovered from chest infection and Tom and Molly were both back for their second GoodGym.

Our job was to hit the streets and let Bromley-ites know that there's a GoodGym happening just round the corner from them. We had a stack of 250 flyers to rid ourselves of and what better way to do it than with a couple of competitions. Each competitor gets 20 flyers each and the first person to get rid of them all wins. Who won? I don't actually know, I was so far behind the others (sniff) that I was too distraught to ask.

But no matter, we managed to distribute the entire lot (apart from the ones that had somehow got mouldy.... no idea) and headed off to the local park for some technical action,

First up was mental imagery. Try and imagine balloons, helicopters, hot plates, thin layers of ice, ninjas and elite runners. Now try and work out how all that could improve your running.

Then we got involved with some "Ministry of Silly Walks" action, also know as A- and B-Drills in some running circles.

Excellent. With a bit of daylight still lingering we headed home, a bit fitter and a bit gooder.

We're back next week for a completely different task. See you there,
Simon

P.S. Sorry for lack of photos. That is the first (and last) time I have ever forgotten!