Remember, remember! The 4th of November, it's the Monday night Group Run slot!

Tonight we headed off to the Groves to help shift a load of bricks, as well as dig out some weeds and re-plant a few bushes. It was a smaller gathering than usual at the Priory Street Centre as a fair few GGers were getting a pre-task good deed in already, but we still had a decent crowd and welcomed back Anne who was returning for her 2nd group run. Give her a big cheer 🎉

Before setting off to the task we warmed up by celebrating the 24th anniversary of the premier of the film 'Dances with Wolves' and naming which animal we would like to dance with and why. There were some very interesting choices including a zebra, a platypus and Siegfried and Roy's white tiger (rather you than me, Graham!). Then it was off to the task ably backmarked by Abigail and Laura.

The other group had already made a good start and helped get the test of us up to speed on what needed doing. So we split off into those shifting bricks and those clearing weeds. Taskowner Tracy also got Ed on hand with a spade to dig out a few bushes that needed to either be shifted elsewhere or just removed entirely. This meant that I'm bot entirely sure what all the various groups were getting up to but excellent progress was obviously made as we managed to complete the task early, meaning we had more time for fitness (aren't we lucky!)

Vicky had created tonight's fireworks-ish themed sesh with people getting into pairs and completing exercises written on a down on a ticket (fit-tix?). The team with the most tickets at the end of the sesh would be declared the winner and tonight's prize went to Mitch and Charlotte who had completed a remarkable 32 tickets! Although anyone who has previously witnessed the speed of Charlotte's burpees won't be surprised in the slightest.

We then made our way back to base and said our goodbyes

The ever hard-working Gary at Park Grove had already dismantled the decking when we arrived so we were able to get stuck straight into the task of shifting it to the skip. Those planks are pretty heavy but we managed to make fairly short work of it and thought we might be in for an early finish. Gary had us covered on that one too though, and quickly unearthed an enormous pile of willow that also needed to go to the skip. The more we shifted, the more willow was unearthed. This kept us busy for a while until the skip could take no more - they don't mean it when they say "level fill only" do they? ;-)

After neatening up the skip to Vicky's satisfaction, we headed off to the next task.

Tonight we started the session by talking about the This Girl Can campaign to Lift The Curfew which highlights how exercising in the dark makes women feel and what they can do to make this better. Throughout the evening we added words to our flag which described different negative feelings which have been experienced.

For the task tonight we split into two group including our first group cycle and headed off to Heworth Stray. We were met there by Roger and split into two teams - one group raking up grass and the other planting trees.

We made quick work of both including Helen rescuing a frog and team trees losing a spade. We attempted TWICE to find it but failed both times! Hopefully Roger will have better luck in daylight.

We then posed for the photo and headed back to base, with the cyclists only marginally beating the runners!

It was medal Monday at GG as we celebrated lots of runners successfully making it round the York 10 Miler including Max who set a new personal best in his first 10 mile race. We kept the applause going for Max who was also celebrating his 300th Good Deed. Amazing effort. Give him a big cheer 🎉

We then warmed up and numbered off by listing our favourite buildings in honour of the birthday of the Guggenheim Museum. With suggestions including people's own homes, Durham Cathedral (but not York Minster?) and lots of love for Gaudi. It was then off to the task with Ed leading the way and Laura and Abigail back marking.

At the task we met Vicky who had already set the Govers and Martin off leafleting. They were joined by two other groups of 3 who were given very strict instructions to be back by 7.20 and take some photos (more on that later). The rest of the gang got to work painting the fence at a lovely shade of blue which happened to match Lyndsey's top perfectly. Who knew you a bright blue running top could act as camouflage!

As time ticked away, the painters realised they could get the whole task completed before the anticipated return of the leafletters so put in a big final effort to make sure no spots were missed before it was time to start the fitness session, little did they know (although they probably could have guessed) that the group of Max, Mitch and Nick would return almost 10mins later, sans photo.

But we didn't have time to wait for them as it was starting to get cold, so we started tonight's fitness session which was a ladder workout involving 30 seconds of an exercise followed by 30 seconds of rest, but adding in a new exercise on top every round. We started with step-ups on the tyres in the playground before adding in standing crunches, squats, tricep dips and of course finishing with burpees. Unfortunately we couldn't add in Abigail's new invention of the reverse star jump as there just wouldn't have been enough time to teach everyone how to do it. Maybe next week!

Then it was back to CVS but only after narrowly avoiding a wandering hedgehog on way out of Park Grove 🦔

Tonight's session was due to be taking place at Ashton Park but we got so much completed in the rain during our last visit that there would be nothing left for us to do. So Kristina from the council rearranged it for us to head to West Bank Park for our wintery staple of leaf clearing.

But before all that there was some serious cheering to do with Steve returning for his first group run since completing the Kielder Marathon, Stef having done his first race of the year at the Hadrian's Wall Half, and the Marvellous Mitch completing his 500th(!) good deed. Give them all a big cheer 🎉

Nikki led a walking group out to the task whilst the rest of the gang warmed up by naming the things that help with our wellbeing in honour of last Thursday's World Mental Health Day. We had some great suggestions including crafting, being silly with friends, spending time in nature and of course, GoodGym! We then set off to the task with Ed leading the way and Laura backmarking.

At the task, Kristina showed us the ropes and set some of the group off with dippers for planting bulbs in the fenced off area. The rest of the group grabbed brooms, shovels and blowers and got to work on shifting as many leaves as possible from the paved areas, before they become too wet and slippery later into the winter.

It's not unusual for our tasks to pique the interest of local youths and tonight was no different. However it's not often we can say that Nikki blowing them seemed to keep them happy. With the leaf blower, of course

The planting gang soon completed their task and so joined up with the leaf gatherers and made great progress both inside and outside of the park. Vicky had also arranged for Kristina to complete some litter picker training with us, so as the task was nearing completion smaller groups would go and receive some training as well as getting their very own litter picker. Who says GoodGym doesn't give you anything!

Then it was time for Vicky's fitness session which involved an exhausting volume of exercises to be completed on the minute every minute, ranging from star jumps through to burpees.

Once we were all suitably shattered it was time to head back and complete some stretches before heading off to the pub to celebrate Mitch's epic 500 🥳