We have been talking about going out for a post-run bite to eat for the past few weeks and yesterday, we finally got our act together. After a flurry of WhatsApp messages in the afternoon, a table was booked at Sodo Pizza for 8.30 pm. I avoided my usual afternoon of intermittant snacking, and was particularly looking forward to the evening's activities when I arrived for our weekly Group Run.

To add to the excitement, we welcomed not one but two new runners to our crew with the bonus of a long distance tourist visiting from Liverpool. So welcome again to Rucha, Kelsey and Alison, it was great to see you all.

Before we could scoff pizza, we had some good deeds and exercise to complete. So we wasted no time in heading out on our 2-mile run to Willowbrook Primary School. As soon as you walk into this fantastic school a feeling of instant karma washes over you. I think its a combination of lots of natural light, the comfortable looking sofa that is begging to be sat upon, and the stunning and beautifully presented collection of art, all working in harmony to bring a smile to your face.

This calming feeling is matched when you enter the playground because in addition to a pirate ship, sandpit and other playthings, Willowbrook hosts a lovely collection of trees and plants that instantly connect the whole site to nature. Admittedly, I haven't been there when 600 children have been running around the place, but surely art and nature are two of the most important things we should be treating young people to?

Anyway, I digress. The reason for our visit was that some of nature had got a little out of hand. In addition to the splendid collection of trees, flowers and plants were innumerable less attractive weeds and tree suckers that needed removing. With the help of two of Willowbrook's finest, Alison and Alfonso, we were quickly set-up with the tools and equipment we needed to rid this place of its turbulent weeds.

Forty minutes later, we left an almost weed free Willowbrook and headed back for pizza. I have to say Sodo did not disappoint. They were very understanding that our numbers had swollen from ten to thirteen and the pizza was superb.

Talking of superb, we will be back to old favorite St Mary's Churchyard next week so do join us. Sign-up here

Nine nifty runners ran 6km to lend a hand at south Liverpool's cancer care centre, Sunflowers.

The team felt quids in when I announced that contrary to expectations, we had an indoors task. That said, the night was still and not too cold in comparison to what we faced at last week's Group Run and during Sunday's Liverpool Half Marathon.

Sunflowers is a centre that supports people whose lives have been touched by cancer. It is a steady 3km run from our Hope Street base and we've helped them a few times now. So they knew that they could count on GoodGym for help with another task.

Tonight's task was to count small change collected by Sunflowers' fundraisers at events over the weekend. The team got stuck in penny picking and 5p shuffling. In the end, we counted well over £200.

This week's shout out goes to John, who we're super glad to have back after surgery.

But the bottom line is that you all did a cracking job.

Even though I was very achy after Sunday's brutal Liverpool Half, I encouraged the team to do a quick fitness session thinking about balance and how we can incorporate little bits of training into the everyday. Because running can change your life; after all the best things in life are free.

NEXT WEEK we've got a nice run to a hidden burial ground/community garden and then on 25 March it is our special birthday run followed by CAKE. So get signing up.

P.S. Details about Liverpool Spring 10km are here and info about the GoodGym Olympics is here.

They say the sun always shines on GoodGym. But what they say isn't always true. Last night 8 brave runners ran 5km to help a community sports centre.

In almost a year of Group Runs here in Liverpool, we have had just one really bad weather day. Until last night. The runners who joined me beat heavy rain, gail-force winds, a hail storm and plenty of mud, all in the name of doing good and getting fit. They are my heroes.

The short but very soggy run took us back to Jubilee Sports Bank, a community sports centre in Kensington. This was the same tasks as last week, when we made a good start clearing an old flower bed. Then with Mat and Sam doing a little extra over the weekend, there wasn't a great amount of foliage left to clear. But when we arrived at the task, due to some mix up, there were only four tools available. In true GoodGym style, we made do and did our best with the resources we had. Meanwhile, those of us who were tool-less took part in a fitness session with the main aim of staying warm.

We left with one large flower bed, totally cleared and ready for a community planting project come spring - great work team!

This week's shout outs are for everyone, for showing up and being cheerful in that awful weather. You are amazing!

But also a "hello and welcome" to newbie Katie and tourist kudos to Leanne who was visiting from the mighty GG York. It was great to run with you both :)

Here's hoping for better weather next week. But GoodGym stops for no one, so we'll be out doing good each Monday evening, come rain, shine or hail.

Happy running!

On a strangely mild February evening, our excellent 11 ran just over 4km to help out a community sports centre.

It was always going to be a gamble to organise outdoor tasks in February, but this unseasonably mild weather has certainly worked in GG Lpool's advantage. While we still needed headtorches, the hardier folk amongst us even worked with bare arms. In Liverpool. In February!

After a 2km run, whose democratically chosen route included a short sharp hill, we arrived at Jubilee Sports Bank - a community leisure centre based in an underpriviledged area of the city. We picked up our tools and headed to the centre's overgrown flowerbeds. It was tough work, but the team fought hard against weeds and dead plants, turning over the grassy soil with the hope that the centre can put the fresh bed to use as part of a new community growing project.

A big shout out to newbies Alice and Lilian - well done for getting stuck in at the task and during the fitness session too - we hope to see you again soon.

After the task, we did a quick fitness session running fartleks, which proved a) this lot have a real kick when they push their pace and b) GoodGym Liverpool enjoys toilet humour (farts, farts, farts).

The run home was all downhill and we hit an impressive pace - a huge well done to everyone. We'll return to Jubilee next week to finish the job we started. Are you coming? Lemme know here.