18 GoodGymers turned out to litter pick in Sheffield City Centre. Our group run took us from our start location, over to the railway station, through the centre of Sheffield and down the Moor . We collected every empty can, take-away box and sweet wrapper we could find.

The Task

Quite a different task from the previous 2 weeks. It was a simple case of picking up as much litter as we could find to make Sheffield look as pretty as possible in time for the Christmas markets opening. Our loyal Goodgymers donned their gloves and got stuck straight in. We managed to fill 6 bin bags, despite some of the streets being actually very clean.

Session 1

On arriving in the Peace Gardens we spend 10-15 minutes doing some run drills to focus on running form. The main points were:

1. Ensuring body position is tall, head high, no hunching
2. No lateral body movement (side to side)
3. Heel kicks up to the rear - this assists forward thrust, increasing efficiency and speed
4. Knees are raised to the front
5. Elbows at 90 degree angle
6. Use the arms to help create force. pump those bad boys!

Session 2

Our second session was based in a semi empty car park where we did some interval shuttle runs. Despite the efforts being short in time, the intensity was extremely high and the group worked exceptionally hard. The sets were:

1 minute work, 30 seconds rest. 45 seconds work, 45 seconds rest at an increased intensity. 30 seconds work, 1 minute rest - all out. 30 seconds work, then finish.

Then back to base

On arrival back at the hotel we did a few upper body conditioning exercises. Tri dips and press ups, concentrating on form. We then did a thorough warm down and witnessed some unfortunate wind escaping from a certain person who was very embarrassed, but confident enough to style it out.

Next week we are back in to the digging and moving type of task. Over at Heeley City farm again. This time we are helping out on the farm by moving some manure. It will be a great task and we will have lots of fun. You can register for it here Fun at the farm

A huge thanks to everyone once again. We are a great little running community and it will only grow stronger. We salute you!!!

18 Arctic warfare trained GoodGymers turned out to the second group run at Goodgym Sheffield. This week we headed over to a local project next to Heeley City Farm. A company called Strip the Willow is building affordable eco houses that are made from more than 80% recycled materials. Our task was to clear the land at the side of the show home and fill up some planters with the soil which were made from reclaimed timber.

We met at the beautiful Copthorne hotel, had a quick brief and head count, then were away....

The task was just over a kilometer from the start location so we treated it as a warm up and took the opportunity to chat n run. The Sheffield group sure are a sociable lot.

We met Jon, the project manager, who issued our tools and showed us where we needed to dig and where to put the soil. He also explained the nature of the project and his ambitions to provide more and more affordable eco houses across the city. There was a huge pile of building materials we needed to move out of the way which seemed to be cleared in seconds. Jon kindly provided water and juice for our team of merry Goodgymers which was gratefully received.

Hills pay the bills

Once again we had more volunteers than spades, so we split the group in two. Group one started the task and group 2 Joined Tom, a member of Goodgym who happens to be a ninja PT instructor. Tom took each group in turn through some conditioning drills and a few gallops up the steep hill adjoining the farm.

Due to the locality of the task we spent a good 50 minutes digging, barrowing, shifting, talking and stacking. It was immense to see exactly how much we can get done in such a short space of time.

After all that excitement we jogged home and stretched those muscle fibers as Alex told us of his experiences as a coach runner in Sheffield. Thanks, Alex. We can't wait to have you back in Steel City.

Next week we head deep in to Sheffield city centre to clear litter and do a fitness session in the peace gardens (renamed beast gardens). We will also be armed with flyers to help us recruit some more Sheffield Goodgymers among the late night shoppers. This will be a great task once again. Hope to see you there. 6:30pm, Copthorne Hotel, every Monday. Register by clicking here https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/litter-grabbing-flash-mob-followed-by-city-centre-interval-training

Thank you all for coming along in the cold weather. I think you are all amazing