Six delightful GoodGymmers hit the streets of Hounslow last night to run and continue clearing up at Ealing Baptist Church. The Church does lots of good work including serving as a homeless shelter during winter months.

We had Simon and Graham from Islington, Alex from Ealing, and Hounslow regulars Andy, Olivia and Leanne.

After a 2.5k jog we arrived at the church to see work had been in full flow and Roger, the minister, had lashings of Ginger Beer to keep us hydrated while working.

We started by shifting a pile of bags and mattresses upstairs. Then we moved stacks of chairs around (carefully positioned so they would not be spied by the congregation), before finally checking out the basement and removing some debris, including the world's heaviest mini pool table, and having a bit of a sweep up.

Post-task, Roger had a special treat for us. He had gone to the trouble of preparing four chicken and rice dishes to take home for dinner. Roger was previously a chef and it was delicious. There was talk of goat curry for next visit in two weeks' time.....

On the journey home we stopped for a relay time trial. 1 minute 39 was the time. Hmmm, not bad. But how can we improve? Some great suggestions including stretching things out a bit with "open the gate", warming up a bit with high knees and star jumps and practising our standing starts. The second time trial proved beyond a doubt that it's worth preparing because we set a new record of 1:28. There you go.

Great work everybody. It's a trip to Bridgelink Centre next week. It's a long one, so bring your oyster card!

See you there,
Simon

On the last run of 2016, 6 intrepid runners ventured all over Southwark to deliver Christmas leaflets for Time and Talents.

Despite Christmas Party season being well underway and, supposedly, half of London out boozing, we met up at Old Spike anyway. A quick check: one cold and one hangover but lots of enthusiasm between us all.

We were leafleting for Time & Talents, a brilliant community organisation based in Rotherhithe, who run projects for vulnerable people with high levels of need in the area and building a strong community with all of their amazing activities. Jemma gave us the leaflets with a giant hug of gratitude so it was ace to do a task that meant so much to an organisation as our last task of the year.

We had a group who ran the longer route to deliver up to Russia Docks Road Estate and around - an epic effort given that the hangover and illness resided in this group. They totalled an incredible 13.5km GoodGym run...

Superhero Christmas Elves

The second group still totalled an impressive 8.5km around Southwark Park Road and got to admire all of the pretty Christmas wreaths and the view of London's skyline from some of the higher blocks.

Given that it was 14th December, we all arrived back very sweaty but pleased with our efforts. A quick stretch off and then it was off The Rye Pub for our Christmas social. Not so raucous as the Big GoodGym one but a time to be grateful for a wonderful year or running, volunteering and making new friends.

GoodGym Southwark Runners: you rock

xxx

An amazing 23 GoodGymers ran between 4-10km, delivered 150 leaflets for Abbey Community Centre and shifted two tons of gravel for Skip Garden!

Welcome along to Sian and Harriet whose first time it was at GoodGym, great to have you along and seeing you get stuck in!

In the news this week: 1. Well done to all the Regent's Park 10k-ers and Tom Benson for doing the Grim last weekend! Some amazing PBs, first-timers and mud in there! 2. There is the GG London Christmas Party tomorrow and the GG Camden Christmas Party next Wednesday, we are planning to go for a meal after the group run next week. Please sign up by tomorrow so we can book a table. 3. Tom Benson and GG Race Team are organising the first monthly time trial at Battersea Park on Sunday! It's gonna be great! Sign up here

Onto the reports from last night. Skip Garden report below:

After an active warm up 12 of us headed to Skip Garden, which is managed by Global Generation, to help shift 2 tons of (not so pea) gravel around the garden.

Not pea gravel, bean gravel?

Gwen from Skip Garden explained the task and the need for the gravel to be spread over the garden in preparation for their FIRE FEAST this Friday. We particularly had to focus on the entrance, between the skips and around some of the buildings. We split into the following teams - shovellers, lifters and rakers!

Everyone got really stuck in and we were done after 30 minutes of shovel, carry, rake, repeat! Before leaving Gwen explained the amazing work Global Generation do with providing projects for children and an alternative perspective of life in the middle of King's Cross.

Onto to the fitness session, it went something like this:

1. Progression run around Granary 'Rectangle'
2. Three conditioning exercises using the benches
3. Interval run around the fountains
4. Two balancing exercises that engage the glutes
5. Final progression run around Granary 'Rectangle'

Abbey Community Centre report by Pritesh:

On the penultimate GoodGym Camden of 2016 we headed up to one of our favourite places – Abbey Community Centre. Close to the outskirts of Camden borough, ten of us headed out knowing we’d get 10k under our belts tonight and we were going to a party too!

We took our usual route heading over primrose hill, stopped for a breather and took in the view and made it with good time to the centre! Abbey were having their volunteer Christmas party and amid many offers of snacks, water and other more ‘fun’ drinks we found Laura who had our task ready for us! We had 150 leaflets to deliver to a local estate letting them know of the upcoming activities for 2017. We decided we would head on our way and get the task done before we partook in any merriment

Party!

Steve had leafleted on the Rowley Way estate previously so he told us the best way to go about getting the leaflets out and we split into pairs and were off. It didn’t take us long to get them all delivered and after a few photos (including in front of the best Christmas display ever!) we headed back to the community centre.

Christmas display

One of the community centre volunteers told us how much of a difference the work we did for them and that they had seen a number of new faces at the centre since we had helped with some leafleting drives previously – so good to get feedback and to know that we are making a difference.

We had a bit of time so took in some refreshments and then headed back to base! Excellent night and a pleasure to lead as always.

Thanks to everyone that came, next week is the last GG Camden of the year and our Christmas meal, sign up here.

PB out.

12 Goodgymmers run 5km to Emmaus Colchester to sort their clothing display

Colchester GoodGym Gang gathered on a mild but drizzly evening which was to lead to a satisfying mission at the Emmaus Warehouse. This evening we were joined by Kirstie for her maiden GoodGym adventure. Angela welcomed and briefed the group on the running order for our session and after our warm up routine, the ‘Tremendous Twelve’ headed out on our way through Kings Meadow.

The rain which arrived late afternoon made for a slippery run through the paths coated in Autumn leaves and dodging the puddles in the dark added to the fun. We made our way up North Hill, re-grouping by the elephants at the top, then continuing on towards Emmaus. John and Paul who both work at Emmaus during the week explained the layout of the warehouse, leading us through an Aladin’s Cave of furniture, books, pictures and more. To say it was like a scene from Cash in the Attic is an understatement and it would have been no surprise to have had David Dickenson pop up!

We climbed the stairs to the upper floor where all the clothing, shoes and accessories are stored. Our prime aim was to help create a semblance of order which would result in a clothing section which looked appealing and inviting for customers to shop. We had our work cut out when faced with many piles of items and bags of mixed clothing which needed sorting into Gents, Ladies, Kids as well as those pieces which were never ‘gonna cut the cloth’ and would be destined for the reject pile.

To tackle our mission we worked in two groups, one group doing the initial screening, the other tidying and sorting the existing hanging rails. A few of the group couldn’t resist modelling some pieces, Tav taking a shine to a blue dress and Steve was drawn to a floral shirt. Helen did well in getting a hold on the footwear area. Together we made an impact, agreeing that a return mission would be beneficial.

The return leg to Leisure World included a ‘Hump Day hill drill’ workout. Angela gave the group tips on the best technique to tackle this and Tommy and Tav enjoyed a competitive race to the top. All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyable mix of running and retail medicine. What’s not to like? We covered a 5k distance overall but knowing we’d made a difference together, sent us on our way home smiling that we’d done well. Same time, same place next week GoodGymers to blitz the leaves at St Leonards. Sign up here

Run Report by Sue Foley