The nights are getting longer, the temperature is rising (well minimally), and ¬¬¬¬¬the April showers were very much living up to their name on a very wet Monday evening in Worthing – there was certainly no chance of bronzed faces tonight!

Despite the unappealing running conditions, 5 GoodGym runners turned up for another fun-filled evening of puns, fitness and doing good! It was lovely to meet and welcome Barbara along to her second group and fab to see her already repping her new red GG tee! Hopefully there will be a dry task in the near future where it can be properly shown off!

Keefing up appearances!

Following a quick catch-up with everyone, the team set off on a gentle 1.5km warm-up out and around the pier and back to tonight’s task at the Fisherman’s Gardens. We were welcomed by Park Ranger, Keith who was as always overjoyed to see us all and was looking forward to hearing all our puns in the half an hour he got to spend with us (well he didn’t specifically say he was but I’m sure he was…). Keith succinctly explained what needed weeding, pruning and tidying this evening and beautifully laid out all the tools and equipment required.

No spoontaneous bangs!

Everyone chose their tool/weapon of choice to tackle the task and quickly set about weeding and clearing. Gill took her favourite tool, a pair of securters and began expertly chopping back and deadheading the daffodils, Paul proved to be a dab hand with a rake, while Barbara and Belinda took on the task of tidying and weeding amongst the vegetation and stones. So many sticks, so many stones…one fork and knife located, one rogue spoon, and some old fireworks. Thankfully the task passed with no sparks and despite the persistent rain, everyone’s spirits were not dampened; as always half an hour quickly passed and at the end there were two big bags filled with garden waste.

On a fast-paced scallop before squatting it like it’s hot

We posed for the obligatory post-task group photo and selfie in the nearby ‘spruced up’ shelter which provided a welcomed albeit brief break from the rain. Sadly the time had come to say cheerio to Keith and we all headed off East down the promenade on our 3.5km run. The team got in some excellent sprint work along the promenade and a Commonwealth Games themed core exercise session – an ‘Ode to Gleeson’ workout! This involved: jumping jacks, burpees, tricep dips, frog jumps, partner plank taps and squats, with the twist that the team first had to work out how many of each I wanted them to do from some fun Commonwealth trivia and maths – for example, how many events Katie is competing in multiplied by 3 and when the Commonwealth Games was first held divided by 100 plus 0.7. Everyone gave it their best shot and I was thoroughly impressed by everyone’s knowledge, maths skills, and a passing dog was particularly taken by Paul’s impressive squats, or was in training for Crufts as it attempted to sneak through his legs! Sadly the photo of this wasn’t captured as we were all too busy laughing.

”I love burpees” said no one tonight…

With the core exercises completed and the offer of more burpees not taken up – much to my surprise, especially considering Paul’s love of them! – we headed back to base for a quick cool down and stretch, before saying our goodbyes.

Next week’s task is “Byron Road Gardening”! Sign-up here which will be led by the lovely and super speedy GG Brighton trainer Tara – who knows, the sun may even make a guest appearance! See you all in a few weeks, big thanks for all your hard work tonight.

p.s. Julia and Nick we aren’t at all envious of your sunny Brisbane beach, it looks far too sunny, sandy and packed…awful! Seriously, have a fab time, GG Worthing are sending lots of good luck vibes to Katie for this week.