Sing along….”SLASH….Ahahahaha”

Starter run number 1…done! And I’m now trying to warm up with a delicious hot chocolate from Wholefoods, yum! Being able to take part in GoodGym twice this week has been awesome, washing windows on Monday (which are still sparkling as I past them on the way home today) and then the Starter Run today which saw us clearing bramble and holly in East Sheen Common for Richmond Council. This is the first of GoodGym Richmond Starter Runs, which are designed as taster sessions for GG so that you get a feel of the good we do. The second Starter Run is taking place on 28th January and I am really looking forward to it as we will be doing more of the same that took place today. A different feel today meeting on a Saturday, Wholefoods was buzzing with shoppers all stocking up for their weekend feasts and Richmond was full of rosy cheeked wanderers enjoying milling around the shops. It was soooo cold, I had 5 layers on and only started to warm up as Mark took us through the warm up. We then darted through the streets heading towards Sheen. Our destination was East Sheen Common which leads onto the beautiful Richmond Park. Here as we waited for the task owner, Mark took us through a circuit of dips, press ups, squats and lunges; as well as some running training drills which taught me about the most effective way of running. Once the task owner arrived we were raring to go and we became acquainted with some rather interesting tools... loppers (surely that’s not their proper name!), a rake, and lastly a wonderful piece of equipment called a slasher!! The slasher was great , it took out bramble in one full sweep. With the loppers we attacked the holly bushes. I honestly can say this was a great task, not only was it physical so we got to work our upper body but it was a great mindful activity. Mindfulness allows you to be fully present and in the moment, so you are not thinking or worrying about what has happened or what is to come. This task allowed me to achieve just that, after a stressful week I was able to be fully in the moment, concentrating solely on chopping down a holly bush and not worrying about anything else, I loved it! We were a small group but I was surprised how much we managed to clear. A really big cheer needs to go out to the woman who rolled up her sleeves with me, Victoria. Not only did Victoria come along to the starter run but she had also taken part in Richmond Park Run this morning where Ivo, Founder of GoodGym was there telling all the park runners about GoodGym and GoodGym Richmond as well as fellow GG runner Jane handing out flyers in the cold. Can’t wait to see the new runners from Park Run join us for a GG Richmond task. The pun was the brain child of Mark our Run Trainer who started singing it Queen style as we were running back to Wholefoods, I ran faster when he threatened to play air guitar along the streets of Richmond.

All hail Victoria on her GG day and Jenna for sending in a great run report !!

Roll on Monday people!!