On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon caught up with a top crew of Goodgym runners outside the Arsenal Community Hub (including returning Goodgymmer Pete and first time group runner Martin - welcome!). Together, we chatted about our weekends and about favourite biscuits (chocolate hobnob was a clear winner) while warming up for a 1.5 mile run to Thornhill Square Gardens. We also took the opportunity to celebrate the recent birthdays of Caitlin, Dan and Simon!

We enjoyed a social chatty run up McKenzie Road towards Caledonian Road, and rolled into Thornhill Square Gardens in good time. Resident gardening expert Anna was thrilled to see so many runners, walkers and cyclists showing up to help out!

We split into 2 main groups: Group 1 helped used wheel barrows and shovels to gather up donated tree bark to scatter across the flower beds lining the park. The intention is to create a protective layer across the new plants and shrubs while they are growing, and to encourage mini beasts to make homes across the gardens! Group 2 took on the important task of trimming back and weeding out the main flower planters in the centre of the park. Goodgym had actually planted bushes in these beds about 6 months ago, so it was wonderful to see how well everything was growing!

The evening was perfect for slugs and snails (who were happy to enjoy some drizzly weather), but suddenly became excellent weather for ducks. A light rain became heavier towards the end of our session, so we chose to gather up tools and hunker down about 5 minutes early! Easily one of the heaviest rainfalls we had experienced at Goodgym Islington for a long time.

Amazingly, almost every one of our Goodgymmers joined us for a wet (but pleasantly warm) run back to the Emirates Stadium (splashing through huge puddles on route!). And it was wonderful to see so many participants staying behind to enjoy warm pizza and well deserved refreshments at The Victoria Tavern, Holloway Road. Well done everyone!

Next Week's Session

We will be visiting Camden Estate Gardens for a full green space clear up. Super satisfying task on the cards!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-camden-estate-community-food-gardens

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions

Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations

On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.

Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!

Thursday 18th July- Paddington Rec Track

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-7e911e01-1682-4d57-9fbe-fc5eb786ba0e

Thursday 25th July- Battersea Park

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-vi-guide-running-battersea-park-8415b4f1-220e-4ae8-bc80-1e54c58b6971

Thursday 1st August- Arsenal Emirates Stadium

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-106d8484-2ef2-4a3e-9b1c-13684aa1c4e3

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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!

Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green

The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!

Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-volunteer-morning-665b9f59-5b0d-4016-8df7-2650f979aab3

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Barmet AC Golden Stag Mile at Finsbury Park Track

Friday 19th July, 6.30pm onwards, Finsbury Park Track

Come and try the greatest track distance, the mile!

Now in its ninth year, the races are graded so that you get to race people of a similar ability as we love a close finish. Previous editions have seen British, European, and even World age group records.

The races start at 18:30. At the end of the night the final races will decide the Golden Stag Mile titles for 2024.

Entries for the Golden Stag Mile will remain open until 7th July, or until the races are full. Races will be seeded based on your predicted time.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/golden-stag-mile-with-barnet-ac-f838a666-abd3-49b8-a3be-6580f87bb015

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (July)

Saturday 20th July, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens

Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-july-2588de11-fa4e-42cd-9ecd-d3dbdc292bb3

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Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day

Sunday 21st July, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways

Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-july-2024

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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day

Sunday 28th July, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens

Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-july-e0762f5b-09c4-44ce-bb26-a5201d637cb3

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Post Group Run Social- Area Activator Simon celebrates 5 years!

Monday 12th August, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park

Area Activator Simon (formerly Trainer Simon) began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 5 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield).

We invite you for excellent food, great refreshments and good times at Someday Canteen in Finsbury Park!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-session-social-area-activator-simon-celebrates-5-years

Yesterday was Blue Monday - apparently the most depressing day of the year. In Wandsworth last night there was zero evidence of that, with 46 happy GoodGymers running 6km to lend a hand at a children's adventure playground. We even started off the night discussing what cheers us up when we're feeling down; food definitely came out on top along with running (of course), dogs, cat videos, rum and sunshine. If last night is anything to go by, we can most definitely add GoodGym to that list!

With the BAC being shut for the night we were lucky enough to be given a temporary home by the lovely people at Share Community, a brilliant charity that supports local disabled people. Thanks Share!

It was really lovely to see new faces, familiar faces, runners from different areas, from central office and even from Wandsworth council. Everybody is welcome at GoodGym, and always will be. A special welcome to Sara, Alex, Alexa, Becky, Rachel and Jessica who all came for their first group run last night. Give them a cheer, GoodGym!

We started off with a run through of the news - here's a recap:

• The January challenge is in full swing. In Wandsworth we racked up 129 good deeds and run a total of 1,176 kms which is pretty great. There's still a way to go though, so get yourself to as many group runs and missions as possible and don't forget to strava the heck out of every run!

• Looking for a community mission? Then check out this brilliant one next Tuesday lunchtime. The job is shifting furniture for a LGBTQ+ charity which supports young people locally, so not only will you get a great upper body workout but you'll be helping out an important organisation too. What's not to love?

• Like burgers? Feeling social? Want to catch up with other GoodGymers while not trying to trip up on the pavement or elbow deep in mud? Then our monthly port-run social is for you. Every first Monday of the month, just round the corner from our starting place at the Four Thieves. And it's even two for one on the burgers!What more could you ask for? Sign up here to join us at the next one.

After a rather squished warm up, we set off for our task at Oasis adventure playground. This wonderful place is a local charity that has fun facilities and learning opportunities for disabled and non-disabled young people enabling them to lead happy, fulfilled lives and play positive roles in the community.

We arrived to find David, who manages the place, waiting for us with tools and a pretty inspiring welcome. We were only there for 40 minutes, but he reminded us in that time that we would be playing an active role in improving the lives of young people. With that feel good factor, we got straight to work shifting old pallets from an area that needed to be dug over. We got a nice little chain gang going, before the real hard work began digging over the area, as well as creating a firepit. Which sounds about the most excellent and dangerous thing to introduce in to a children's playground.

Meanwhile, some of the group were treated to an extra conditioning session (lucky!), before getting on with weeding the enormous area - as well as testing out the facilities (which GoodGym trainer was spotted having fun on the trampoline cough, Beth?).

After just over half an hour of hard graft, we downed tools and headed over to the neighbouring park for a very short fitness blast. We warmed up with a game of clusters. While I wouldn't like to fling around any wild accusations of cheating, there was definitely some interesting counting going on! We then knocked out a little conditioning versus high intensity drills, with Chi encouraging everybody to work harder as we squatted, lunged, balanced and high kneed.

All that was left was to run the three kms back to base, and stretch out those tired muscles. Well done on working hard for a brilliant charity, getting a good run under your belt in the process, and giving blue Monday a smack about the chops. Next week we're off to clear leaves in a community garden, you can find out all about it right here. Hope to see you, until then, run happy!