Wednesday 17th May 2017
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Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
If we were going to be a bit British about it, we would say that last night's run was a touch on the damp side.
We all turned up already completely sodden, with the rain showing no signs of letting up. But it takes more than that to stop a group of GoodGymers (sidenote; what is the collective noun for a group of GoodGymers? A gaggle? A mob? A flock?) We even had a lovely new face - hello to Jennifer. Let's give her a big GG welcome!
Some of us decided to eschew the layers, given that we were as wet as we could be already, and be done with it. So we needed to warm up and quick. But not without saying a huge well done to Barry (and his boys) who nailed another Park Run on Saturday. Nice one!
With Donna, Barry and Andy leading the way, we set off for a local charity we have been helping out at recently. Friends of Cathja is an amazing organisation for people in the borough with mental health problems which have been ongoing for some time. It helps people to gain confidence and the skills to move into a more active and positive way of living.
During past visits we have been helping sort out the giant back room and yard, but this week Rin must have known we'd be grateful for an indoor task, even before we turned up on the doorstep dripping - thanks Rin! Our job was to clear a corner of the shop of furniture and other bulky items, and take it into the newly painted community room. We shifted it quickly, and admired how the shop is changing. It's great to see the progress the volunteers are making, to discover all the hidden treasures, and even to perhaps be winning over Bruce. Despite his cute kerchief, Bruce takes his duties as shop guard dog very seriously.
It had still not stopped raining as we set off back to the Town Hall, but that did not stop some great running. With some us of keeping steady pace, those that wanted to push themselves as bit harder did some tough fartlek running over the two miles back. Fartlek - Swedish for speed play - means alternating hard running with easier recovery and is brilliant for building strength, endurance and practicing the art of pacing.
Typically the rain eased off just as we got back for some stretches. We had worked hard tonight, and done some good for our local community, so when a rainbow appeared just as we were saying our goodbyes, we knew we had already found the pot of gold....
Cheesy but true! For more rainbows, sign up here for next week's run.
Hounslow
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