Wow!

I didn't think GoodGym Leeds could get any better, but it just did today! An amazing 27 runners joined our starter session, including 14 first-timers! You guys are already legends!

This run was all about encouraging some new runners who maybe can't usually make it on a Wednesday evening, find some of the distances a little daunting, or who just wanted to give it a go when they could actually see what they were doing! Hopefully you all got a taste of what GoodGym is all about and we'll be welcoming you back for more!

We started the session with a bit of a fun warm-up called "Aron says". It's essentially Simon says but with a bit more movement and jumping around, and while it took a while to get going the group cracked it in the end. The main thing was that everyone was happy and smiling before we set out on our runs and walks!

Aron took the running group with Helen backmarking to make sure nobody was left behind. We headed a slightly more scenic route as we took advantage of the light to venture onto Woodhouse Ridge. Liz took the walking group and took the most direct route so she even managed to beat us there!

Once we'd all found each other and reconvened at Bedford Fields, Ian ran us through the list of jobs. We were tasked with:

• Consolidating 2-3 piles of wood chip into one big pile.
• Removing old wood chip/soil from a path so we could lay down new wood chip.
• Clearing weeds/brambles/everything else from a section of verge, and putting the cuttings into a dead hedge.

The team quickly split into groups, grabbing the necessary tools and taking instructions from Ian and the other volunteers at Bedford Fields. Everybody got straight to it, with a few of them realising that shovelling in particular is pretty heavy work! Jackets came off as people quickly started to work up a sweat.

Some of the more experienced members of the group were coming to terms with doing a GoodGym activity in the daylight for the first time, and weren't quite sure what to make of it!

"It's a little bit more intimidating doing it in the daylight, you can actually see whether you've done a good job!"

Carol continued her tradition of ending up using one of the least appropriate tools for the task, by trying to clear soil off a two foot wide path using only a trowel! The rest of the group were using shovels and spades, but apparently Carol is so keen to make sure everyone else has a tool she's often left without! So selfless!

Meanwhile, over at the verge clearing, regulars Helen and Anne were getting to grips with brand new tools! As far as we could work out, they were mini scythes used for hand-held cutting of plants. It's a new one to our to our collection anyway. (**edit: apparently this is a sickle. I think I should have known this by now)

The wood chip shifters definitely had the hardest task as it was seriously tough going! However, even when given the option to switch they were having none of it.

"We're just suckers for punishment! We can't give up now, we want to finish it!" Naomi, first timer who was really relishing the challenge!

The verge-clearing crew were also finding it strangely enjoyable, with Joe spending most of his time posing for photos (whether the camera was on him or not) and another GoodGymer finding their own sense of satisfaction in finding space in the dead hedge.

"It's quite fun, it's like a game of Tetris!"

With the piles of woodchip almost completely gone, and the path cleared, there was just enough time to get some new woodchip on the path. Everyone was redistributed to a new role, wheelbarrows were filled, and the most energetic amongst the group ran the wheelbarrows the short distance to the path. With time running out, the last few wheelbarrows were raced into position for a final bit of smoothing out. Phew! We would hate to leave the job unfinished!

After a quick pic under the pagoda, we trotted over to the park, where Aron had a cheeky little fitness session planned. We split into 5 teams, and using the four sides of the monument, we had the following stations:

• Step-ups
• Sit-down squats
• Wall/step press ups
• Tricep dips

The fifth team had a short out and back run which set the time that the rest of the teams would be working for. While there was a suspicion that some groups were running extra slow to make it harder for everyone else, we had a great little workout and really worked up a sweat! Great job everyone!

With that, we were all done for the day, and had a gentle jog back to base, where we had a lovely stretch, and few of us hung around for a sociable drink.

It was absolutely fabulous to welcome so many new faces to GoodGym today, and we really hope you'll be able to make it back again soon.

Thanks for another fab group run, you guys are ace!