This week 17 wonderful GoodGym-ers ran 6km to paint a carehome's garden furniture

This is a very special week for GoodGym Barnet. Not only is it our 20th group run! (Applause) But it's also Hazel's 50th good deed. Give her a cheer!

We were joined by GG newbie Thais tonight, who totally smashed her first run with us! Be sure to click her name and give her a cheer!

After a quick warm up and intro outside the Phoenix Cinema we were off on our journey to Dell Fields to finish painting the garden furniture. I stalled for a couple of minutes to wait for Simon who was visiting us from Islington (with CHEESECAKE), but we decided to text him the route so he could catch up. Damian lead the group out while Paul was our trusty back-marker. This gave me the opportunity to float about in the middle and talk to loads of you!

On the final stretch a man stopped me to ask GoodGym and seemed very excited to hear we ran regularly and did good. He promised to tell his wife, so hopefully we see her next week! (This is a great reason to make sure you're wearing your GoodGym shirt!)

As we arrived at the carehome, so did Simon, who must have been running behind us just out of sight!

The group quickly took on sanding and painting roles as we finished varnishing the chairs from our last visit. As GG-ers slowly finished their tasks, they were treated to some strength and mobility drills up the garden path. There were duck walks, bear walks, hops and squats, while the others put in those finishing touches. Then it was a quick tidy, before heading out front for a very brief round of exercise before our run back.

We split into two groups to head home, with Damian, Freya and Paul taking the speedy lot back, and me and Hazel leading the slightly less speedy group.

Back at base there was stretching, cheesecake and, of course, biscuits.

The Barnet Biscuit of the Week: HOMEMADE BISCUITS courtesy of super TF member Heather, who couldn't run with us tonight but still baked us cookies!

We also had a bonus #BarnetBiscuit in the form of cheesecake from Simon AND oreos from Del. There were so many post-run snacks this week we didn't get to the oreos, so Freya has been tasked with keeping those safe for us until next week. Biscuit-sitting is a tough job. Let's hope she doesn't accidentally eat them all after one of her many runs (she's already don't over 60km this month)... Be sure to link strava up with your GG profile so your runs get counted in the heroes section too.

Don't forget we have a starter session THIS SATURDAY at Community Focus in Friary Park at 2pm. It'll be less running than a usual GG run, so definitely one to tell your friends about if they're a bit nervous about keeping up on the group runs. There will also be some running drills and some gardening. And probably biscuits. Meet at the community centre. Sign up here

And be sure to bring along your ID to the next group run or starter session so we can get you mission verified! Just need to see some photo ID and an official letter of some sort with your address on it and a date within three months. Two of one and one of the other. So, for example, a passport, a driver's license and a bank statement from less than 3 months ago – or a passport, a utility bill and a bank statement. We need lots of runners to help Ms F on 22 Jan, so if you're already mission verified you can sign up here.

See you on Saturday!

Pennie

17 GoodGym-er run 6km to varnish a carehome's garden chairs

This week GoodGym Barnet set a new record for attendance (not including launch night), with three brand new people joining us for our run. Massive welcome Rachel, James and Lauren who all made it down to GG Barnet for the first time – give 'em a cheer! And to Beattieand Will who finally returned!

This week a number of people hit 10 GG Barnet runs! Well done to Will, Mark, Heather and Freya. The Phoenix is giving everyone who comes along to 10 GG Barnet runs a free cinema ticket. I have the first 10 already waiting for enough of us to go and watch something awesome together! We are three people away from the first 10!

After a quick warm up along the side of the cinema, I lead the way to Dell Fields Care Home. Heather was my trusty back-marker this week. The 3km route to the carehome took us over the big bright bridge crossing the North Circular again, which Hazel and I agreed was oddly satisfying to run over.

Once we arrived at the home, we were handed some sand paper and paint brushes and set upon getting as many of the garden chairs varnished as we could in the allocated time. Everyone did an amazing job. Within 25 minutes we'd finished eight (or so) chairs – there were only two left. We ran out of paint brushes, so while most of the team worked, people took it in turns to run, side-step, duck walk and high-knee down the garden path.

We then had a quick workout out the front of the home involving some sprints, squats and rocket jumps. It unfortunately also involved Hazel ruining a very nice pair of leggings.

Freya then lead the team back to base along a different route, while I back-marked with Heather, Hazel and Phil. Half way back we split into two groups, with Damian leading the speedy group back to the Phoenix and me taking the less speedy group back. Everybody in the speedy group agreed that it certainly earned its name, with Damian ensuring the pace was kept on zoom.

Back at the Phoenix we were treated to this week's Barnet Biscuit: homemade Jaffa cakes, courtesy of Heather. I'm still blown away that these are even a thing you can make at home. Heather deserves ALL OF THE CHEERS for making these.

Next week we have a nice short run to Newstead Children's Centre in East Finchley to paint the hallways. Sign up here. It's only 1.5km each way and will be indoors – what more could you ask for?

Don't forget to bring your documents along next week if you'd like to be DBS checked – ID + Proof of Address, two of one and one of the other.

See you next week, folks!

This week 13 GoodGym-ers ran 5km to tidy up a nearby park

With the rain upon us this evening, we all gathered inside the wonderful Phoenix Cinema for sign-ins and the intro. Massive welcome to GG newbie Paul who came along to his first run with us this evening – and who acted as a wonder guide as we detoured around to our destination. Be sure to give him a cheer!

After a quick warm up along the road beside the cinema, focussing on ankle, knee and hip mobilisation, we were ready to head off towards this evening's task: litter-picking Glebelands Open Space. Hazel was our trusty back-marker, while Damian and I lead the way, opting for the dark and windy alley ways down the hill.

Once we reached Glebelands, it was time to spread out and clear the main path of any rubbish. The team did great, blitzing the bushes in under 20 minutes, with time to spare for a great photo-shoot running up and down AND a fun little fitness session running up the little hill. I think this week's photos are my favourite of all photos in all the 14 weeks of GoodGym Barnet. I mean, look how incredible Joanna's hair is in that running shot! And those prisoner pulses, which I may just have to include every week for comedic value. And the ridiculous photo of me running in between Freya and Damian – who happen to be GIANTS. I've been laughing for the last 10 minutes sorting through them. Thank you to Hazel for taking some pictures so I got to play too!

We then ran back to base, taking the straight route back up the hill along the high road. A route we're all quite familiar with by now.

Back at base, there was fist-bumping, which Dorian, who was first back after a quick sprint finish, dubbed the Barnet Bump, stretching and biscuits. I'm really enjoying the increased use of alliteration among the team.

The Barnet Biscuit of the week was: Custard Creams.

Impressively, Heather came back with the chocolate bar she accidentally ran away with last week, meaning double treats for the GG Barnet Crew.

We didn't quite make it all the way through the Barnet Biscuits this week, so I gave the rest of the packet to the man who sells the Big Issue on my way home. He was so excited about them that I may have to make that part of the tradition.

Next week we will be running back to Dell Fields carehome to varnish some furniture. Be sure to sign up to run with us!

Don't forget to bring your ID and proof of address if you'd like to get your DBS sorted. Either two letters and one ID or one ID and two letters. Letters have to be under three months old and official-like (utility bills, bank statements, doctor's letters etc).

And finally, be sure to sign up for our last run of the year on 13 December to build Santa's Grotto. It'll be good to get lots of us along, as it's quite far and we won't have as long to get everything finished. Damian has promised to bring a Christmas playlist. It'll be amazing.