Smashing evening of exercise and volunteering this Monday, at a super local task. 15 smiling Goodgymmers met up at the Emirates Stadium yesterday (including a new runner- welcome Amy!), for our trip to Compton Terrace Gardens, right opposite Highbury and Islington Station.

Before setting off, we had a chat about our weekend activities (a few runners attended the Rother Valley running festival in Sheffield, meeting up with Goodgym legends Paul Bown and Lucy Jeczalik while up North!), and someone mentioned that Goodgym has been featured in the Waitrose newspaper last week- a full article about what we do. We used this as a subject for our count-off, asking the question: "What is your favourite supermarket, and why?".

Answers included:

• Tesco- "Because it's everywhere!"
• Lidl/Aldi- "Because of the magical mystery middle aisle."
• Morrisons- "Because it's from Yorkshire, and everything from Yorkshire is great..."
• Sainsburys- "Because you can really taste the difference."
• Earth in Kentish Town- "Because I like the novelty of saying that I am going to Earth for my shopping"

Since we were treated to a task in close proximity to HQ, we ran a really nice loop around Highbury Fields park before approaching Upper Street. As soon as we arrived, the super efficient task force that is Compton Terrace Gardens Volunteer Team got us straight to work with wheelbarrowing compost across the lovely community space to specific plots. The plan was to maintain the garden with fresh soil during the winter months, ready for spring next year. Our Goodgymmers immediately set to lifting and carrying in a connected chain, and made short work of the gardening. Maybe 50 bags of compost moved in about 30 minutes!

We departed the gardens, and ran a longer route back to the Emirates (past the tennis courts at the top of Highbury Fields, and down to Drayton Park station, via some nice back streets). We finished off our session with a set of hill sprints from the community hub, up to the top of the stadium. 3 repeats, followed by an easy jog down hill between each one- and followed by stretching and biscuits!~

Really excellent work last night, everyone. Looking forward to visiting Octopus Communities next week!

NEWS

Stars in their Eyes event with North London Cares

North London Cares is a wonderful charity, with a similar ethos to Goodgym- connecting people from all generations in the Islington area with fun, interactive social events.

This Saturday, they will be hosting a "Stars in their Eyes" party at Birchmore Hall, Highbury Quandrant at 3-5pm. It would be lovely to have a nice group of Goodgymmers there for the festivities, and hosting duties.

Sign up here!

Mini Mermaids Running Club x Goodgym - Highbury Fields parkrun Takeover

Mini Mermaids Running Club is an amazing charity set-up to encourage girls under the age 11 to engage in phyiscal activity and exercise in fun and engaging ways. Goodgym have been invited to help the Mini Mermaids to complete their 5km challenge (each of the girls have worked towards this over 8 weeks) at Highbury Fields parkrun on Saturday 7th December.

We are looking for:

"Mama Mermaids"- female Goodgym runners who would be willing to be an accompanying adult for a Mini Mermaid during their 5km run. This would include offering support and encouragement to help them achieve their goals.

parkrun Volunteers- Goodgymmers willing to marshal, cheer, support and help with the general running of parkrun from the sidelines. Or to come and run and represent Goodgym!

Sign up here for more details.

Goodgym Islington Christmas Pizza and Drinks

Book this in your diary!

After our task on 9th December, we will be going straight to Zia Lucia on Holloway Road for a meal and good times before we part ways before our Christmas Break. Chosen by popular demand, Zia Lucia does some of the best pizza in Islington (Goodgym Guarantee!).

Sign up to confirm your place here!

Official Goodgym Christmas Party

Huge Christmas Party for all of Goodgym, hosted at Stephen's House (a bar, not the house of a poor guy called Stephen) in Finchley. Drinks, dancing and celebrations- Fancy dress contest included.

Friday 6th December. Only 30 tickets remaining so grab them quick! Sign up here.