Last night 18 GoodGymers - including two new runners - ran 6k to sand some furniture at Barnet Furniture Centre.

We set off whilst it was still light with Hazel leading and Freya backmarking. Arriving at BFC, Jade dolled out the sandpaper and we got to work - a bench, a table top and legs that needed smoothing down, and some red drawers with hundreds of coats of different colours that needed some serious elbow grease. The group got stuck in and Jade was so thrilled with how much we managed to get done. She'll update us on just how many different colours there were on the red drawers - there at least 5 we could find!

Jade showed us more of the treasure trove that is BFC and explained that they upcycle furniture and either sell it on privately or provide it for free to those in need.

'I like to think of us as the Robin Hood of Furniture!' She said

It's an amazing place and a great opportunity to blow off some steam with a serious bit of elbow grease!

It began drizzling as we warmed ourselves back up for the run home and it didn't stop! Happy and quite sodden the first group to arrive home put on a sterling sprint finish before some stretching and a well deserved biscuit from Hazel.

Shoutout to Shawn who did his first mission this weekend and told us all about it. Missions are a fantastic way to make an impact in a different way to a group run - there is one happening this Sunday (17th) that you don't need to be document checked for - it's a gardening day at St Stephen's House. It's going to be brilliant, make your Saturday even more special by signing up here.

Looking forward to being back at the BFC soon. Well done everyone, a cracking run and task. May the rest of your week unfold just as well!

Lucy J

17 GG Brenters, took on 2 storage rooms for Ashford place homeless shelter. Dashed off 5k. Killed 20minutes of plyometrics, sprints, walking lunges and killer squat combos and got home in time for sexy stretch time. All in an evenings work! Pow Pow!

The Queensbury Pub on Walm Lane was bursting at the seams with another full squad on deck at GG Brent. Joining the ranks of the fabulous familiar faces were 2 newbies in the mix this eve- Thais and Bharian YAY. I was also dizzy with excitement when old school original, none other than Sadhana rocked up with her signature sexy socks and beaming grin under cap!! This boost, got me hyper beyond belief and ready to roll out with my crew, fresh with spring in step.

No further than 0.6 miles to go, we cruised down to Ashford Place where the awesome Alan welcomed us in for the task at hand - clearing and sorting 2 donations rooms. Ashford Place is a firm friend of GG Brent and we are always delighted to volunteer our time there, to support their tireless work in the community. All year round they offer 30 long stay hostel rooms to local people who had been living on the street and work towards finding them permanent residence in the future. They also work to make services better for homeless people in Brent, campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness and innovate and develop tools to help their patrons work their way out of homelessness indefinitely. An absolutely incredible organisation and one that deserves all of Goodgym's support.

So stepping our best feet forwards, we jumped into the task quick smart. But because our crew was so large and epic this eve, it didn't take long before the jobs were done and rooms were packed and sorted. So taking advantage of the gifted time, the team wasted none and ran the infamous Ashford Place stairs, 4 flights, top to bottom, not once, not twice but thrice times over!!! AMAZING!!

After the stair-runs and standard photo shoot (Ovs!) It was back on the streets to keep the running mojo cooking. Gradual tempo runs led us down to Gladstone Park where more fitness fun was the order for the night.

The teams split into 4 and worked their way through a medley of sprints, squat jumps, tuck jumps and walking lunges and if that wasn't enough there was just enough time for a combined group hammer of the circuit for one more round.

Cheered on by nominated ambassadors - Enrique, Claire, Samuel and Mouse, the shouting and encouragement echoed through the park like thunder, with fellow runners stopping in their tracks to check the commotion and admire the efforts!

After a swift recovery (that's huffing, puffing, panting and sweating to you) the crew were back on the road for the last cool down mile back to base and it wasn't long before the lights of high road twinkled in our sights and lit the path home.

One last thing before we depart - Delicious stretching and a massive applause

Determination, motivation, good vibes and good deeds, sprinkled with the always raucous laughter and weird and wonderful chats, this is a crew that never fails to turn Monday from manic to marvellous!

See you next time!!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

Eleven merry GG Brent-ers, ran 5k to Ashford place homeless shelter. Dropped twelve bags of warm clothing donations and finished the night with a bodyweight training session of sprints, box jumps and the 100 SQUAT CHALLENGE Just your average Monday in West London then!!! POW POW

The night was bright and clear and we were full of Goodgym Cheer, as we gathered at our local for the housekeeping and catch up bit. To my absolute delight, we welcomed back into the fold - Regular Neil, back for his first injury-free run this year and the awesome powerhouse fam that is - The Ananda's YIPPPEEEEEEE and joining Dimple and newly engaged Nisha (Yay congratulations!!!) was Jessica too.

Making up the gang this eve was our usual gaggle of gorgeous gals - Sister Sledge/Tabitha and Debs, Epic Eliza, Luscious Liz, Miss smiles and energy - Kapow Karen and the bold and beautiful Beth (who actually loves my mad ranting run reports!!! Yes)

So despite the cold, we courageous crew, head out into the darkness to speed the half mile dash up to Ashford Place Community serving powerhouse and homeless shelter based on Ashford Road Willesden. Serving the community in more ways than one, offering support for carers of dementia sufferers, art class, languages and a warm and safe home for 33 people who are without a permanent home!!

Having spoken to Danny the manager last week, I determined that they have a distinct lack of warm clothing to offer residence and furthermore the people who they cannot actually house for the night..... AHHH HAAAAAAA My brain began to tick....... What if we actually put some of those Christmas and January sale clothes to good use???

So out to the masses I did shout and my red shirted band of Robin Hoods returned my call (just to confirm there was no stealing involved lol) So bags in hands, we ran and soon enough dropped our donations into grateful hands.

After the drop, it was best foot forwards and onto Gladstone Park. With all of my imagination I came up with the most effective combo for my crew that would boost their Jan fitness goals; Fat Burn, condition Muscle and up endurance.

Split into teams, what followed was a 3 x circuit of: Box/Bench jumps, Bodyweight Squats and Sprints. smashing out an impressive 100 Squats!!! 70Jumps and 3X Sprint repeats, this team demonstrated that they can pack a punch when it comes to positive energy - from within and giving back.

A short cruise home, took us the cool down route back to base camp. With chats of nutrition and goals, glad tidings and gains, fitness and fun and with our Goodgym Brent, no one was glum.

Until next time....

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE