I can imagine a lot of the Goodgym reports will be starting the in the same way, WOW THAT WAS HOT!!!!

Well done to the 10 runners that joined in last night for a summer hot run to get beach ready for chelwood.

We set off a few minutes later than planned as we had to get extra water, as when the weather is that hot its really important to stay hydrated, after a water bottle shuffle we set off to run.

Chelwood is 3.5km away, it was very muggy and sweaty, everyone did very well to put up with my moaning…. I tried to be professional and motivating, but WOW it was hot, we did a few little stops on the journey just to check everyone was ok (really it was for me, if I didnt mention it before, I was HOT)

When we arrived at Chelwood tools were handed out, and the first job was to uncover the sand pits so we could pull up the weeds and give the area a clean, however, we were greeted by lots and lots of ants and eggs (photographic evidence in report), and if you were at last weeks run you may remember I got bitten a few times by some angry ants and so the mission got changed.

Bags, gloves, sweeping brushes, buckets of water and music was spread and we set to work clearing and cleaning the area, we moved trees, pulled up weeds, scrubbed the sandpit covers clean, o and then had a cheeky bounce of the space hoppers, they matched our T-Shirts, it would be rude not too!

After 45 minutes of cleaning and tidying the area for Saturdays community beach party it was time to run back, the sun had stopped beaming as hard but it was still pretty warm.

I had spotted a newsagent on the way to Chelwood and so I decided to pop in and treat us all to a ice pop, Oooooooo they were lovely!

We slowly headed back slurping in delight, once we had all finished we put the wrappers in the bin and started up running again, we had 2km left to shuffle run back to base, and we did it!

Well done to everyone who joined in last night, you were A.mazing, it was so SO hot. Even though we didnt sort the ant infestation we still did a great job of clearing and cleaning the area to be beach ready over the weekend! So lots of people will be able to get together, play games and hopefully enjoy some sunshine.

Last night was Emma's final run with Goodgym stockport as she is leaving to go work darrrnnn saaffffth, good luck with the new job, and keep us all posted on your goodgym adventures once your settled.

Remember I'm not here next week, I’m off to melt some more somewhere hot, the wonderful Tom Mutton from Sheffield is coming over to look after you, I’ve drawn him a famous map, so he knows exactly where he is going :)

Have a great 2 weeks running, ill miss you all, Lisa x x

At last we got to distribute the flyers for** Homeinstead!!** Its been a few weeks of bad rain here in sunny Stockport so we have had to have a few quick changes which involved knitting mini hats and litter picking.

But tonight was the night, *it happened! * 8 lovely runners met at Grand central Lifelesiure at 6.30pm, we had a shaking start that involved a quick shoe swap, but then we got cracking.

We had a little warm up, set up running devices, had a number count and shout and off we set.

This week we were promoting the wonderful work of Home Instead in Stockport, they have collated lots of activities that happen in the area weekly, classes from tai-chi, to art classes, to simply having a coffee and catch up, the classes are aimed at making the local community a more involved place, where people can meet and enjoy each others company and hopefully make new friendships, just like we do here at Goodgym!

Between us we posted the full box of flyers, this time we headed towards Davenport/Cale green area to promote. We posted in homes, sheltered accomadation, a few shops and take aways to make the most impact.

Id like to have a few shout outs this week, firstly well done to Pete for beating the train! good going dude. well done to the handful of us (including my 2 kids) who attended Burnage Parkrun this week, it was great running with you all, my kids loved meeting you, and well done to Martin who came 2nd, he was running faaaast in the zone.

Also tonight it was fab to meet Lizzie a tourist goodgymer from Ipswitch and newbie Vicky who did just wonderful listening to me jibber on about all sorts, but mainly dogs! thanks for joining us. And Debs, take lots of photos in the Big Apple!! have a fab time

Have a wonderful week of running, next week were doing a spot of gardening,

see you soon,

Lisa x x

Ball of wool that is.........

We once again had a last minute shuffle as it was raining here in Manchester pretty bad and there were weather warnings that is was to get worse, we were due to distribute leaflets but they would just getting soggy!

Then I had a** idea**, whats a good thing to do when its cold and raining? knitting! and with Stepping Hill hospital wanting donations for little preemie hats for the neo natal unit I thought we would whip them up in no time, I was a bit wrong with that, but we all had a good go!

So we now have 6 half made had hats and 1 full hat, everyone has now learnt something new and all for a good cause. A few Goodgymers took away the wool and needles to complete the hats, and I have also added the pattern to our WhatsApp group so if you feel like making one then go for it, I will be taking them to the hospital in a few weeks.

We set off and literally turned a corner to find the "Holiday Inn", we all got comfy, picked a wool colour, grabbed some needles then let the confusion set in.

Luckily a few knew what they were doing so helped the others, we all cast on then set to knit.

It was perfect timing as we came to the end of our knit session as the clouds had parted and there wasn't a rain drop in the sky, so we ran strong and fast just in case.

We had a little warm up of "knit one, purl one" then ran to a local hill for 5 x sets of hill repeats, I'm not sure if people were frustrated with the knitting task or just had lots of energy, but a lot of energy was put into those hills, well done folks.....Then we had a little cool down run around the block before heading back to admire our knitting and do a few stretches.

It was great to see Henry and Ellie back ( Wonder what you had for tea in the end?) And Simone, thank you for your knitting skills and demonstrating, we wouldn't have a hat if it wasn't for you! I'm going to complete the other hats so we have a lovely collection to send to the hospital, don't forget if you want to add to the collection, I will be going in about 2 weeks time? Also don't forget that next Wednesday we have the 5 mile trail run, a few of us are doing that, and I'll be at St Martins this week doing a bit of promotion for Goodgym, and I'll be knitting hats at the same time.

Thank you guys, for again making it a wonderful Tuesday!

Have a great weekend running, especially if your doing any of the Tour of Tameside, Maybe your crazy and your doing all 4 days???

Have a great week guys, next week we should be distributing flyers for Homeinstead, unless it rains again!!!

Happy running,

Lisa x x

Tonight saw 10 runners attend our mixed bag fun run to post leaflets for Chelwood Foodbank, a wonderful charity that helps collect and distribute food in 3 various locations in Stockport. We posted these leaflets a few weeks back but with not such success as we were targeting larger companies that didn't really want us around, so we had a change of tactic and headed to some smaller businesses in a more popular area.

We started at the usual location and time, Stockport Lifeleisure, 6.30pm. This week we did a longer than usual warm up as we waited for one of runners, we never leave anyone behind, we're good like that.

Since we have done a few leaflet drops over the few months and the fact the school games went so well at last weeks task I thought it would be a good idea to make into a game, so as well as running and leaflet posting there were lots of other challenges involved, including squats, lunges, plank holds, tricep dips to name a few, all in the name of fun and fitness. It was a entertaining way to spend the evening, and we got some very funny looks since all of this was done on one of Stockports busiest roads! I'm not sure what got the most attention to be honest, the group squat hold (we all looked like we were having a wee togther) or the yoga tree pose??? (we just looked odd) either way you did well staying grounded in your tree poses with storm Gareth about, nothing can blow us off our feet.

Well done guys, as ever you worked really hard, and there was some great team work. It was lovely to meet Zoe for the first time, hope you enjoyed the evening, thanks for lending Pete your coat, you would think all that hair would keep him warm.......I did offer to share my hot vimto, and my headband. Well done Anne on your 30th good deed, and again Im sorry for not shouting your number, also well done and enjoy the mission this wk end with fellow runner Martin, cant wait to hear all about it.

Also don't forget that you are all invited to the Goodgym shindig, here are the details: https://www.goodgym.org/stories/can-t-stop-addicted-to-the-shindig

and you can sign up here if it tickles your fancy: -https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQ6mnFKG6AILOkQG3AfZ-NTPAjeR57JnZGFHDqbjwUwhQvFg/viewform

We are also going to be having our very own Stockport shindig soon, in fact Im daring to say we may even make it a monthly thing??

Have a wonderful week, Lisa x