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