11 people ran 7km to weed, tidy and do some planting for Stanhope Hall Community and Well-being Centre

Tonight, we welcomed Tom and Marlon to the GoodGym Brum crew. Thanks for coming guys and well done on your first GoodGym run. Front and back markers were sorted, I led the way, with Chan back marking, so off we went.

Once arriving at the centre the task was to do a bit of weeding and general tidying followed by planting some lettuces. Everyone mucked in weeding the soil, then Karin and Laura planted the lettuces, while some of the group carried on having a tidy up.

Chan and his big hose

Chan then to his excitement had the job of watering the garden and that was it job done! After Monica thanked us all for our help, Chan took the obligatory selfie and we were on our way.

Short fitness sess

As we had quite a long run to and from our task location tonight the fitness session was a very quick blast, just two Kenyan hill efforts. Basically, running hard up the hill, but also running hard down the hill, with the idea that you naturally recover on the down. Neal and Marlon showed great work at the front, Chloe pushed hard all the way to the top and the group of Laura, Morwenna and Karin helped each other all the way showing great determination.

Once done, we were on our way back to base. Remember next week we will be having our first GoodGym Brum 'social' after the run so please sign up here sign up here.

13 people ran 6km to clean a room at SIFA Fireside

This week it was hello to another GoodGym ‘first timer’. It was great that Laura joined us, everyone give her a cheer! After the ‘intros’ we were on our way down to Digbeth to SIFA Fireside. On arrival, we were greeted by Geoff, who very kindly provided us all with some welcome water on a rather sweaty night.

A load of door knobs

After Geoff told the group a little bit about what SIFA do, it was on with the task, which was to clean all the door knobs in the room, clean the doors, walls, and showers. Everyone looked great in their Florissant green rubber gloves! Once done we had a few quick pictures and we were back on our way!

Car park sess

After setting off back we stopped in a car park, which had some rather spectacular graffiti to do a quick fitness sess. Starting off with wall squats, Sajini, Kate, Morwenna and Charlotte working hard to hold a perfect position, this was followed by some sprints, Graeme, Garry and Neal to the fore. Then chucked in between these were some killer tuck jumps, Laura, Maria and Chloe showing top form. The sess was finished off with some thigh burning high knees running, everyone giving there all!

Two groups better than one?

For the run back we split into two groups, a faster group and a slightly slower one. Everyone was pretty cream crackered after the fitness sess, therefore it did take a little persuading to get a few to join me in the faster group! Once back at base we waited for everyone to arrive and we finished off with the usual stretching.

Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here.

10 people ran 6km to help out at the Birmingham Mission Care Centre by handing out food to the homeless and donating some toiletries and clothes

So, after Aidan kindly took the reins last week while I was enjoying some Tenerife sunshine, I was back this week to put the group through their paces whilst doing a good deed on our way! It was fantastic to meet four brand new ‘GoodGymers’ tonight. Welcome to Kate, Morwenna, Karin and Andy.

Double task

So, after the intro’s we were on our way to the Brum Mission Care Centre. Once we arrived we set about serving food and providing cutlery to the homeless. The group also donated a tremendous number of toiletries to the centre and a few clothes as well, meaning the Mission team were overjoyed with our help. Great work team!

Steps and Hills?!

Once done we were back on our way, stopping outside the Mailbox to do some high intensity work on the steps, concentrating on getting a high knee lift, Andy, John and Chloe showing great technique with Kate and Chan showing great effort. Now this was just a bit of ‘tune up’ for the hill work, so off we popped on the short journey to the Post Office were ‘our hill’ was waiting. Tonight, we went for eight minutes of hardcore hill efforts, the group running as hard as they could to the top and then jogging back down to recover. Now what can I say?! Everyone was fantastic! The group worked so hard, it was a great to see! Obviously, the group split slightly throughout the session, but we still managed to get the group together for a big effort on the last rep and it was a great sight to watch, we even had a rather impressed audience looking on. Let’s hope they sign up!

Once done and everyone exhausted it was time for a gentle run back to base, for a bit of a stretchy stretch! Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here