The British weather is unpredictable and changeable.

Today had given us some longed for rain, with the plants, grass and trees almost breathing a sigh of relief to receive the water and with it they brighten their colour's varying shades of green to show their appreciation.

This evening, the clouds cleared, rain moved away and even the sand had a dampness after several days of burning feet in the heatwave.

We met at the top of the many pathways that lead down onto the beach, this one onto Flaghead Chime, not far from Sandbanks, ready to clean up! It was wonderful to welcome back Hannah with her husband, Patrick as extra pair of hands.

We were pleasantly surprised to find the path to the beach was almost clear of debris. We split into teams, with Robert and Hannah taking the sand whilst Esther, Elizabeth and Christine zig zagged along the beach huts, side paths and promenade.

We had expected a spread of rubbish after a week of hot summer sun and tourists but we were so pleased that only small amounts were hiding in the sides, sand and prom. But we filled a bag with all our contributions so can be pleased with our efforts that it doesn't reach the sea.

We ran along the prom to finish. Elizabeth deserves a massive shout out for her efforts this week - Sunday completing her longest ever run of 18 miles in marathon training for London. Followed by 5 miles last night with another 4 tonight. What a strong pair of lungs and legs Liz has, she is going to smash London!

Just like the changing weather, Goodgym can also bring the clearing of clouds after a difficult day or few weeks. Being around positive, compassionate people with a shared interest can lift the mood to bring out new colours after the intensity of the sun and heat.

Thank you Goodgym runners for bring that to us all!

It's Summer Solstice!

The longest, although not warmest day of the year. It's a time to celebrate the weeks ahead of warm days (hopefully) as the seas warm up around is, giving the earth more warmth!

As Goodgym, we subconsciously decided to follow Pagan traditions and celebrate with a balance of fire and water. The fire was used to cook our pizzas and the water would be much needed after a hot run!

But its Goodgym, so we had a task to do! A litter pick was planned in a local park, where exhibits included an Asda sign, cardboard, cans and dog poo bags! All nicely finished off with a quick hula hoop attempt where Christine showed us all how it was done.

It was a literal hop, skip and jump over the road to join fellow running group, Oakdale Runners! Jason who previously ran often with Oakdale Crew was given a big welcome and headed off at the front with a few other chaps.

A 5k route had been planned so a great opportunity for us all to network and chat to fellow runners!

It was a hot evening as expected and grateful to enjoy a steady pace across the bridges.

We returned to Rob's Filling Station where pizzas were in the oven and cooking up just for us! Robert kept to his usual sprint finish with Elizabeth racing him to the finish!

Topics of conversation was the usual chat about local races, injuries, events coming up and even just getting to know someone a bit more and what makes them tick!

Fire extinguished from the pizza oven, water drank, strawberries handed out courtesy of Christine's garden and it was time for home. Still in full light and warmth!

Bring on the summer!

First at meeting point tonight was our very own cover girl Patricia! Trish as well as just completing 50 good deeds is currently training hard for a cycle challenge with her husband (of 52 years I add!). So maybe there is something in the phrase 'those who train together; stay together ❤️'!

It was the Lytchett 10 race on Sunday. As a result, Robert and Esther showed up with sore legs and tired bodies. Meanwhile Elizabeth still had the spring in her step and bounced up the hills of Parkstone!

We headed around the dark streets, uninspiring but serving a purpose to catch a mile or two before the task and have a chat!

Delighted Laura joined us again, directly at the task this week as its a legs rest day but we are happy for an extra pair of hands and more company where ever they appear!

Onto Langside school and we were absolutely delighted to see how the sensory garden is looking! We last came up just before Christmas and we cleared so many wheel barrows of leaves! We had had a good turn out and many hands had swept, raked and shovelled the leaves off the beds. Since our visit daffodils had come through and there had been care and attention paid to the layout by staff at Langside. It was really taking form!

Tonight we hit the back and sides of the sensory section of the garden. Putting our shovels and rakes onto the back bed and clearing around the table and chairs and along the path. We are definitely looking forward to lighter evenings but meanwhile grateful for torches and lights! There were fragrant smells from herbs and plants, as we piled up wet leaves into the compost area.

We are awaiting storm Dudley here in the south and as we finished up, the rain was beginning to gently fall, reminding us to go home! Tools packed away and checks all ✔️.

We made a rather feeble attempt at a jumping photo - (I'll blame the jumpers and not photographer!) outside the school before we headed off into the darkness, leaving Laura head for home!

Parkstone is an optical illusion, you seem to climb hills wherever you go and rarely find a downhill section - it is also hard to get into it and out of it, but uphill we went (again) to head for cars and home.

Come on February...move along and bring out the spring soon! We are ready for you!

Well done everyone - A delightful crew!

It's heading into the midst of dark, cold February. Christmas festival feelings are long gone, Spring seems so far away and a few of us are still holding tightly onto Covid and Christmas Bellies!

So as the 3 of us met in the large car park, we all had that feeling of actually we'd prefer a sofa, hot cuppa and maybe even a biscuit. Earlier we even tried to consider if we needed to run? Was it going to be awful weather? Were we injured? Did we need to rest our legs?

We'd agreed that we'd do something after our task as it was all about activity, even if that was a gentle 1 mile around block.

Now don't worry, this lethargic, unmotivated feeling passed pretty quickly. We aired how we felt (no harm in that) before grabbing our tools and heading into the community garden to set up our lights. We were here and were going to tackle whatever was needed!

We had planters to clear of old Broccoli 🥦 that needed a weed, turn over and clear.

As there was only 3 of us, we worked together chatting about family and life events. Our lights soon were dying so we finished up 2 beds, and cleared it into compost bins.

After a quick toilet stop at Ferndown Leisure Centre we headed onto the quiet, bungalow strewn roads of Ferndown for a loop.

It was peaceful so we ran in the roads, chatting about how important our own communities are to us, be that our family, Goodgym community or other. Yet until we built these communities, we didn't realise how important they would be to us! We also had some gratitude for where we are and all we have in our little worlds we can easily forget.

Many of us are doing 1 second every day currently, taking a snapshot or 1 sec video of something each day that makes us happy and uploading it. Queue us all having a go at a 1 sec video to add to todays journal! (Check out 1se). Thanks to fella member Trish who inspired us to do this!

We ran over 2 miles and can honestly say its like we were different humans at the end. Energised (although still ready for a cuppa), we felt calmer and a sense of unity as well as gratitude for being able to do this.

Goodgym 1 Unmotivated Lethargy 0

Thank you Elizabeth and Becky for a fab evening!

I end this report with a reminder of how lucky we really are: https://youtu.be/PJAgPF5FNTQ

Twas a quiet night as 3 musketeers took a black bag, pickers and head torches and headed off to a dark park!

These musketeers however were on a fast mission - To find as much rubbish as possible before joining the Green Army for a run!

A run up to St George's Park, a route around in the bushes, a play on the playground and shining a light on darkest corners. Then a run down the streets to spot more cans catching the headlight glare!

Back to Oakdale Park where the assembly of lycra, High vis and torches were all on display.

Oakdale runners are a friendly bunch and welcomed us to join them for their Tuesday night club run around the local roads.

We maybe lacking big tasks currently but make up for it with community spirit in local area. It seemed a shame to not join the group for their friendly run!

It was a quick route check and their weekly amazeballs band shout out (a team member is nominated for being amazing!) before a pounding the streets of Oakdale. Slightly inclining route, it was good to feel a bit of air in lungs!

Great to see everyone and thank you Oakdale Massive for letting us join you!

The first run of 2022!

As we all get back into fitness, new goals and maybe even dry Jan - Poole is spilling with run groups to choose every night! So tonight just two of us able to make the group session with a run and litter pick!

We took a 5k run route to Oakdale Park, seeing one group of lit up runners meeting at The Ark, followed by The Oakdale Crew at Oakdale Park!

With head and chest torches we were pleased to see so many more bins now present and less litter on the ground! We covered the play area and field and filled half a bin liner with odds and ends - No kettles tonight!

We chatted along the way of family news, running plans, training and even pilates!

The moon looked gorgeous tonight, lighting up the clouds trying to hide it. It maybe dark and chilly, but there is still much beauty!

Lovely evening to run and clear the park of any litter!