19 people ran 8k to help some of the group prepare for the Mo Run later this month

Tonight, the plan was to run to the Birmingham Sea Cadets, but unfortunately, we had a last-minute cancellation (hence tonight’s pun kindly provided by Garry)! However not all was lost as the group were very happy to do a longer run as many are running in the 10k Mo run in 11 day’s time, so what great way to prepare. Front and back markers sorted we headed into the damp and rather cold evening keen to get moving.

Squat till you drop

We ran about 2.5k along the canal before stopping at some concrete blocks. This was a great place to do some backside burning Bulgarian split squats, followed by some standard squats and if that wasn’t enough into some held squats. The group definitely were ‘feeling the burn’!

Fartlek

The group then headed for Millennium Point which was a great place to do some Fartlek training. Well lit, and a nice 400 metre circuit, with no traffic to worry about! The session was 10 minutes with a mix of 20, 40 and 60 second efforts. The group were absolutely fantastic! Aaron led the way, with Ken not far behind. Lola and Julien put in some great work. Sam and Andrew dug deep as usual, Hannah and Brett put in some top work in their first GG run since the Brum Half Marathon and Annie showed a great arm action (Mo Farah esk!)

Once done we headed back through the town to 1000 Trades. 8k completed in total, great work everyone!

Next week we will be out doing good (definitely this time)! It would be great if you could join us sign up here.

20 people ran 5k to Birmingham Vernon Sea Cadets to help clean boats and stock take life jackets

Tonight we welcomed Beth, Mark and Axel to the group for the first time. Axel is from the GG Central team and is flying from Birmingham to Doha tomorrow on an exciting two week running trip! Once all the introductions were over and the exciting news that our first Birmingham Mission was going ahead tomorrow was announced we were on our way to a brand-new task.

Sea cadets, but weres the sea?!

You may wonder if you are reading this report how is there a Sea Cadet group in Brum when the sea is so far away, well you would be surprised, there are actually a few groups in the city. The group we were visiting were based by Birmingham Reservoir, so it's not quite the sea, but plenty of water to take their boats out to. On arriving we got a great view over the water with a pink sky (see the pictures) as darkness was falling. Jenn also warmly greeted us. Once on with the task the group had to work as a team to tip the boats over and move them. Everyone showed great team work, whilst a few of the group did the stock taking of the life jackets. I got a great vantage point for some pictures, by walking up the stairs onto the roof, initially it didn’t do my acrophobia much good, but I survived!

Sam got his big hose out

While most of the group turned the boats over Sam and Annie looked very excited to use the power hose, cleaning the boats off! Once done we were on our way back. We stopped at a quiet road no cars could drive down to do some interval work. What we missed in traffic we also missed in lighting meaning the group had to go a little slower than usual. I also had problems taking pictures as I thought I couldn’t unlock my phone, only realising I was trying to use Aaron’s phone which I was also carrying in my bag! Doh! Once nearly back I added in one more sprint up a hill, getting the groups heart rate right up before we finished. Once back it was time for a quick stretch off and we were done.

Next week we will be out doing good again and my mistake we aren’t going to Birmingham Mission Care Centre we are going to do a litter pick on the canal, I forgot that I had bought it forward a week, so we could make good use of the last of the light! sign up here.