Pinch, punch, first of the month, Sam waited for everyone at Old Spike as we had a special celebration tonight, which he announced during his GG speech. Nope, it wasn't the fact we have our monthly social tonight (as it's the first Wednesday of the month), but Maria reached her 50th good deed within 52 days! Almost one a day! Congrats! 🎉

Since it was the 1st of November, Sam's ice-breaker question for tonight was about today: On All Souls Day, please if you would like share a cherish memory of someone you lost? or Tell us your best vegan dish on World Vegan Day?

For World Vegan Day, Mikhail said sweet potato and spinach curry, which was similar to Andrada saying butternut curry. Louise said Mapo tofu with vegan mince and Gemma told us about a lentil style lasagna dish whilst Sam craved Gregg's vegan sausage rolls.

For All Souls Day, Nelly remembered her Dad who sadly passed away earlier this year. David told us about his friend who passed away a few years ago on this day, Emma remembered her best friend, Bo, her beloved dog. Maria told us about her grandmother whom she lost seven years ago and doubled up her ice-breaker with the fact her grandmother would make veggie or vegan alternatives when her family were big meat eaters....yet then lecture her on her low iron levels.

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50 Good Deeds (Maria's Version)

After our warm-up in the alleyway, Sam lead the way whilst Mikhail backmarked as we ran through the backstreets of East Dulwich, up Crystal Palace Road and Lordship Lane to get to the side of Dulwich Park to finally reach Ian and Emma, who met us there. Whilst Andrada walked over to the task, but ran back with us.

Ian had a wheelbarrow full of shears, loppers, rakes and leaf pickers. The task was simple: clear the pedestrian path going along the South Circular of anything protruding through the fence. So, in barber language, short back and sides. Everyone took a tool of choice as we split the group in half quite evenly. Mikhail was our photographer for the night and ensuring he captured the task at hand.

Working our way from two ends of the rugby club along the South Circular by the end of the session, both groups met in the middle fueled by Taylor Swift's version of the 1989 album playing on Sam's speakers.

As the clock hit 20:00, we just about finished the task and Ian kindly gave out a sweet treat before we ran back to Old Spike via Dawson's Hill to take in the night sky of London. Laura backmarked this leg of the run. Everyone was up for our monthly social and another chance to celebrate Maria's 50 good deeds at Jazu bar in Peckham!

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! Unlike people thought, it was just over a 3k run each way (and not closer to 4k...). Thank you for working as a team to complete the task in the time as we worked from two ends to meet the middle (more or less). Thank you for coming out for the monthly social at Jazu bar too, it was great to catch up with you all!

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Thank You to Ian

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for preparing all the tools for us in advance and giving us an achievable task as well as the delicious treats at the end of the session - always appreciated! We have two more sessions this year, both on Sunday mornings, so we will see you then!