Well - Good Gym have only done it again with Vicky doing an excellent job sorting out our (seemingly now annual) August get together. For both those that were there (but bits of it are hazy) and those that sadly want to know what they missed out on read on….

Yet again Vicky had come up trumps with finding us a great place to stay and this campsite even had a shower. With time to go, the spreadsheet was out there to ensure nothing was missed and lifts could be shared. As is always the case everyone mucked in and brought something essential, whether that be a BBQ, food, wood and of course loads of cake. Everyone arrived on Friday safe and well with Rich setting off on a mammoth bike ride whilst Pete, Egg, Nicky G and Egg enjoyed an excellent social ride complete with coffee and ice cream arriving at a similar time to many others.

With plenty of hands available the gazebo was soon up and the BBQ on the go. Relaxing around the fire pit we were surprisingly well behaved eager for activities on the morrow. Rich went off for more biking whilst Steve did battle with the cows on his own run as he trains for Kielder. Everyone else was destined to Buxton Park Run with a running group heading out before the others to complete a roughly 7k route on the way there. Arriving just as Park Run started, Tristan fought through the crowd taking the racing line (although how he did 500m less Vicky according to watches remains a mystery). Meanwhile Ed who had arrived just in time to start at the front, remained (almost) in front and finished second - congrats to him. Then into the centre of Buxton for breakfast ad thanks to David and Laura for finding a most excellent cafe for that could fit us all in. After that it was up the hill to the temple before a running group ran the long way back to camp and the others drove back to eat cake, chill and join the shower queue. The others led by Pete and Nicky managed to time passing a pub bang on opening, provided too good an excuse not to stop. This may have been needed by Nicky W who managed to walk past a dog the size of a small horse without realising it on the way to rehydrate.

Eventually, back at camp, quick showers and cake was followed by most people walking to the pub. A nice walk that included stepping stones (although superfluous given the lack of water !). Pete waited for Rich who had completed an epic biking challenge that he had started a while ago and in cycling 250 km in the last 2 days was not really fit to walk…A nice meal at the pub booked by Vicky - good honest grub with good service although Rich getting his food last and the tip left by Fergie on leaving were perhaps less than ideal. While some intrepid explorers walked back Tristan, Laura, Pete and James S were able to provide the taxi driving for those preferring the extra tipple. Having said that James T and Steve managed to walk back despite being the last to leave. Then it was all around the fire pit with a beverage with Stef acting as resident DJ.

The next morning the offer of a 0700 start for what Egg described as a “punchy” route was only taken by the usual early birds who knew what they would get with Egg. A great mix of trails, ridges and the off flat bit (i.e less than 5% gradient !) they amazingly finished roughly on expected time and distance. However, there are probably better ways of avoiding the clear up ! Nearing the end of their run they passed Phil, Nicky and David making the best of the weather running to the ice cream shop. By the time they got back everyone was leaving the campsite en route to various cafes or the aforementioned ice cream stop

All in all an excellent weekend - big shout particularly to Vicky but also Ed and all of those that went. For those that have not been on a weekend away or have recently joined Good Gym you might want to get the jan weekend pencilled in your diary - there really is something for everyone...

So this week the big bosses Vicky and Ed were away on holiday but GoodGym York keep on running and not only did we have 23 returning GG folk but we welcomed Andrea & Nicola who both joined our group run for the first time.

We saluted David's weekend parkrun PB and celebrated Stefan who had hit a fab milestone of 300 good deeds completed.

Then in honour of the Lionesses victory in the European Cup yesterday we named and numbered with whichever animal we would like to be - mostly cats it turns out although we had a Crane, a Wolf and a Honey Badger!

Captain Pete led off the walking group and the rest of the crew ran a mammoth 900m to meet Charlotte from the York River Art Market at Dame Judy Dench Walk to do a bit of light weeding and litter picking to tidy up the riverside ahead of the next 3 weekends events.

We met Jan at the task and not only had she had arrived armed with her own trowel but she conjured up a wheely bin from somewhere for the rubbish.

Not content with weeding around the trees Becca instigated some weeding of the very steep bank - no one fell in so all good and we even managed to enlist a kindly random passing tourist who joined despite not seeming to know what we were up to or being able to speak much English!

We were soon all done and away for a double dose of fitness at Memorial Gardens - first we had 'serious' fitness followed by a couple of rounds of Amoeba Tag in which those tagged joined hands to capture the other players splitting into pairs once they got to a chain of 4. I think Charlotte & Mitch were the last players not caught by an Amoeba.

The runners took the 'long' way round managing to make it a full 1.5km back to base before we rounded off at the pub

Normal service will be restored next week!

We started the session tonight by celebrating some fantastic running achievements over the weekend, which were even more remarkable given the heatwave. Paul Kelly completed Lakeland trail 55km, with Max also doing 35 of it! Steve raced to the stones - completing a 100km ultra, and Becky, Nikki, Ed, Tristan and Nikki's brother attempted the Snowden challenge. This got canceled so they ran up and down twice each anyway!

We then welcomed Kit for his second task, warmed up then headed over to Scarcroft Allotments with Ed leading the way, Pete backmarking and Nikki and Abi with the walking group.

When we arrived, the plot we were asked to clear was so overgrown we barely all get in but armed with a wide selection of tools we soon started clearing space. Jan joined us there for her second task too, welcome back! Eventually we got to ground level then a team took to having a go at mattocking out some large roots. One mattock and seven observers seemed to be the mist effective method!

Before we knew it it was time for the team photo and to head to the grassy patch for fun fitness. This got quite competitive and folk worked hard. Good job it was only a km back to base!

Another good job and another plot ready for new tenants!

No Ox but quite a few cows to be seen, although we had all met at the the Spotted Ox before the run. Although we had planned 3 different routes there were only 3 takers for the middle distance of 7.5k so we split into 2 groups. Vicky set off with her crew and all enjoyed a good run with only a slight deviation to cater for Niel who had dropped down from the mid distance to ensure no-one felt short changed. The others set off on their run in the opposite direction at a nice pace that allowed for plenty of chatting and allowing us to quiz Tristan about how he proposed and which of the multiple laps at endure recently completed by James were the worst. We all met back at the pub for nice grub, a drink or two and typical GG chat. Roll on the next one and thankyou all for coming out on a school day ... :-). Another successful evening out...

Another impressive turnout tonight for the forth installment of barrowing compost at West Bank Park, despite the very hot weather.

We started by saying our favourite hot thing and these included baths, tea, the sun, Pete's chocolate and Nick and Vick!

We also celebrated Rich's epic cycle ride in the peaks and James' 50 miles at endure, in their absence, plus Lucy's round sheffield run.

Top news of the night was undoubtedly Tristan's announcement that he proposed to Christine and she said yes!! Huge congratulations to a lovely couple. Tristan was also crowned goodgymer of the month for May!

We then set off with Barbara and Deb leading a walking group, Nick with the runners and Vicky with a cycling group.

We quickly got to work when we arrived and managed a fair few barrow loads despite the heat! Thankfully Christina brought water and the working areas were shaded.

To end we had a game if walking football- caps v non caps. Some walking styles were a bit questionable!

Another good Monday. Thank you guys!

3 tasks in 1 today. Starting off by helping West Bank Park set up their summer fair. We were quickly issued with high vis & directed to set up the St Johns Ambulance gazebo. Luckily Leanne is an old hand at this & it was erect in seconds. Ed & Laura Ba were busy shifting tables & chairs around the park. After some initial location confusion three more gazebos went up in quick succession. Chairs were set up for the orchestra & audience with Laura Be, Leanne & Ed demonstrating air bassoon, guitar & knee drums. The 2nd task was setting up the Good Gym stand with Sam demonstrating how to use a sledgehammer for fitness. 3rd & last but not least was helping Laura Ba with the gazebo & setting up the Brunswick stand. Some of us headed home whilst some stayed to man their stalls.