27 people ran 5 km to do good in Hackney

Tonight was my 4th GoodGym run, and unfortunately we did not this time have a community job to target. Instead, we refined and practised all the tips & tricks we had been learning from previous runs. We focussed on improving our technique and personal performance, alongside handing out as many GoodGym flyers as we could, spreading the word about the role of GoodGym within our communities to as many people as possible along the route. The more the community becomes aware of us, the more good deeds come our way, after all!

We ran x3, 1-mile laps, whilst another faster, more experienced group of runners ran x6, 1-mile laps, concentrating on pace, technique, and recording our times at the end of each lap (mine was 11:50 – 12:00 – 11:30 minutes each respectively. I was in the x3-lap group.)

I have to say, I would not get all of this from a regular gym. Perhaps it is my own personal life circumstances & changes at this point in time, perhaps it is because of the trainer's total commitment and enthusiasm toward the group that does it, but there is a certain kind of magic about GoodGym.

The trainer really cares to educate us GoodGymmers on technique, anatomy, performance, etc., no matter where your level of fitness may be. The GoodGym trainers sure do know their stuff!

Other great aspects of GoodGym are:

The links it forges within our communities - communities that are in danger of being overtaken by corporate interests in this current political climate;

The way you get to know the streets of your local area on foot and discover little hidden gems and delights along the way; the moon shining bright beside the silhouettes of the gas holders on Andrews Road tonight, for example, or the beautiful street art down an alleyway we passed.

On my 1st run, people randomly cheered us on in the street with shouts of “Hello, Good-Gymmers!”, which felt great! I hope to hear a lot more of that in the future as our profile rises and people become more aware of the GoodGym and the great good it does within the community, both on a united and on a personal level.

For me, being a part of GoodGym is proving essentially beneficial to my healing and recovery, and I believe that it will equally prove as essentially beneficial in reclaiming our communities.

The more we spread the word, the more Good we GoodGymmers can do. After only my fourth run, I would like to shout out a big Cheer to All those red-runners, and a Huge Thank You to all those who’s dedication, hard work and commitment made it happen in the first place. Good On You, GoodGym!

Andreana Sutherland