One very damp week did not stop 10 GoodGymers getting out in the rain to do some good in the local community!

• It was lovely to have Tatty back for a visit- come and see us again soon :)

  * Don't forget that the entries to the GoodGym Olympics are now officially OPEN! [Here are the details] (https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-goodgym-oiympics) - let's go, Team Hounslow!
  

• Long training run? Check. Range of distances and paces? Check. Pub at the end? Of course. Sign up here for all the details.

Raining squats and dogs

This week our task was back at Chiswick House, which relies on volunteers to be able to stay open to the public, so we waterproofed up and headed outside to warm up. After some dynamic exercises we discussed what we were most looking forward to at the weekend, which included doing nothing, running, watching sport, riding and wedding dresses!

We took the scenic route there and arrived to find the head kitchen gardener there waiting for us with many, many barrows and a list of jobs. We got to work shifting sand, woodchip, raking soil and barrowing soil. One of the ways that the charitable organisation makes money to keep the house and grounds open to the public is by selling produce to local restaurants and the public, and it was amazing opportunity to see the beautiful gardens from the inside!

After 45 minutes of hard work, and an excellent Rather Be rendition from Emily, we washed up our tools, learned the difference between a shovel and a spade, and made our way to a nice bit of the grounds to do our fitness session. OK, it was a bit damp, but the race was on. Pairing up, we faced eight different stations in a race to get back to the start first. The first challenge was to get up from the floor with our partners - easier said than done! - before hitting up various exercises including some very impressive wheelbarrows! It was a close call, but it was the magic pairing of Matt and Andy that came in first in a very strong eight minutes - way to go!

Next week we're back to have another shift at Cavendish School's dipping pond. (Sign up here) [https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/help-out-and-do-good] for more fun, fitness and potential newt sightings!