14 brave GoodGym runners contended with treacherous weather conditions (Storm Aileen) to help Keep Wales Tidy

14 runners arrived at Yr Hen Lyfrgell ready for the evening’s run. Some were wearing waterproofs, whereas other runners were prepared to embrace the wrath of Mother Nature and turned up only wearing their GoodGym t-shirts (I salute you brave people! – Fliss, Lexi, Michael, Martin and Mikey).

As the clock struck 6.30pm Ben explained what the night’s session would entail; A warm up, followed with a run to the meeting point of the task where we would spend 30 minutes helping out Keep Wales Tidy in an organised litter pick. This would then be complemented with a 10 minute fitness session, and finish off by running back!

Ben started the warm up session by getting everyone into two teams (two groups of 7) and in their teams they had to come up with a team name and cheer. 60 seconds later, the team names and cheers were decided… we had the Rain Runners and the Balloon Blowers (a few giggles from opposing teams about choice of team names). It’s not possible to really explain how each cheers went - you had to be there – but let’s just say it was original and contained a lot of imagination. The warm up game was about to commence; Each team member had to run with their balloon (without using their hands) around the cone which was about 5 metres away and back and then pass it the next team member. The winning team would be the first team to complete this and doing their team cheer. SOOOOO Who won? The Rain Runners were the cleaner winners however the Balloon Blowers were the loudest team – Kudos to both! Everyone then got their own balloon and we commenced some high knee races. It was clear some people were well practiced at doing high knees with balloons and were big kids at heart!. We then did a quick head count whilst jogging on the spot, saying our name, our number and favourite mode of transport (Pete said UFO – He has an imagination that is out of this world!) – I’m surprised nobody followed this with Doctor Who’s Tardis.

Feeling warmed up and ready to go we made our way outside. We looked at the rain and laughed HAHAHA. Just like how Simba laughed in the face of danger in the Lion King, we laughed at the rain. Ben began trying to light a match outside… “we were all like Ben!?! What on earth are you doing?” – He replied “I’m trying to be Adele and set fire to the rain”… Okay, the weather had affected his ability to thinking logically and rationally, however, fortunately, moments later he was back in reality and appointed a front runner and a back marker, Ellen and Michael respectively – Just to add, you guys did fab!

We ran up to the castle, through Bute Park, over a bridge, navigated the streets and suddenly, we had arrived and Plasturton Gardens, the place of tonight’s task.

Welcome Welcome Welcome

Gareth from Keep Wales Tidy and Barbara from Canna Collective were both waiting for us to arrive. “GoodGymmers, the weather conditions are horrendous so we really appreciate you all coming out to help us. Are you sure you’re okay to help us?” A resounding “Yes, definitely!” came from all 14 runners, and with no further ado Gareth kitted us up with empty bags, handihoops and a grabber each

**Keep Wales Tidy* is the charity that works across Wales to protect our environment for now and for the future. The values of Keep Wales Tidy are: 1.) to take action to make a positive difference 2.) to put people at the heart of everything they do 3.) to protect our environment for now and for the future.Canna Collective are residents from Pontcanna & Canton who work with Cardiff Council & Keep Wales Tidy to improve the local environment & community services*

The challenge was on. In groups of 2 or 3, runners had to find the most interesting pieces of litter and were set the task of collecting at least one bag of litter.

You have 30 minutes guys, go forth and litter pick with all your might

In teams runners spread out to clean as much of the area as they could in the given time. Streets, parks and narrow lanes were covered and any litter discovered was bagged.

So what did everyone find?

• Lucy & Su were extremely pleased with their ‘top’ finds: Flip flop, one sock, coat hanger and nappy.
• Mikey & Jade were jumping for joy after finding a plastic chopping board and a black rubber glove
• Michael & Pete found the SMELLIEST litter, a clottered bevage in a paper cup, the dregs of which made the bag smell like they’d been skimming scum from an open sewer… and a flip flop! When they brought the honking rubbish back with them they were so proud of themselves!
• Fliss & Rachel found a half eaten coronation chicken sandwhich, a pair of pants (They weren’t mine), one googley eye and a glasses lens. Eye can tell they had lots of fun!

Time is up!!! A HUGE well done everyone! You litter-ally cleared those streets!

We had a group photo quickly by the rubbish we had collected, which included the festering beverage which honked to high heaven!

As we were already positioned in a park, Ben seized the opportunity to have us work on our pacing skills. He instructed us to do 3 laps of the park maintaining the same time for each lap. Everyone took on the fitness session really well. Some sped up, some struggled to maintain it and some managed to maintain the same speed throughout. Practicing this will help you find a running pace which you can maintain. This is especially important for long distance races, from 5k’s to ultra-marathons where you have to be mindful of the distance, your ability and adjust your pace accordingly.

As our fitness session ended we saw the local council collecting the rubbish bags we had left behind from the litter pick... they said "we wondered where these had come from" and thanked us for our help. After our fitness session we then headed back. Running and splashing through the streets of Pontcanna as we headed home.

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Riddle of the Run A man died on the Tuesday, however he was buried the day before on the Monday. He wasn’t buried alive so how is this possible?

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Well done to Mikey for coming up with this week’s Pun for the Run and WINNING the RunPunStiltskin award – You should be mighty proud of yourself. You are fab!

We had no new runners this week and we LOVE to have new runners join us, getting fit and doing good. Would you like to join us on our GoodGym run next week? Click here and get signed up