One Goodgymer attended the Luton VI Running Group training session at the track. Supporting a visually impaired runner today was less about guidance and more about offering encouragement and enthusiasm. The track is extremely quiet during the school holidays and the surface and space is safe enough for this particular visually impaired runner to move independently around the track. The freedom of a solo run with less closehand supervision was a confidence builder.

Assisting a visually impaired runner from the Luton VI Running Group with a training session at Stockwood Park athletics track

Another training session this evening at the athletics track went well despite damp and breezy weather conditions. Began with a short sharp warm-up and then guided through a Couch to 5k week 6, which included an 8 minute non stop run. Felt the benefit of a workout while encouraging and enabling a visually impaired runner working towards their fitness goals. Finally we finished with some hamstring and quad stretches before heading for home.

Two of our Goodgym VI Guides met up with two visually impaired runners to support them at Parkrun this morning. It was a lovely morning for it, and the growing enthusiasm of the two runners is really great to see. Will is now on C25K week 5 and has rekindled his motivation, while Simon is storming ahead wanting to get closer to a 35 minute 5k time. Ruth was sporting her new hi-vis guide runner tabard while Gill, in her red Goodgym shirt tried hard to keep her green-eyed monster in check (having also suffered earlier in the week from "blackTshirt-envy”). But jealousy can be a good thing (in moderation) if it helps us find our mojo and spurs us on to more Goodgym good deeds.

This Goodgymer turned out to guide a visually impaired runner at this evening track session, and breezed through the 2.5k run from the Couch to 5k training plan. We took the start of week 5 in our stride despite some initial misgivings about pushing things further. The steady paced session finished with some simple stretching exercises and a plan to tackle parkrun on Saturday.

One Goodgymer turned up on a very icy morning to be a VI Guide for one of the regular VI runners. Unfortunately, due to some excessive exercise he wasn't able to run, but Gill did a great job of guiding him round the Parkrun. Luton Parkrun is notorious for the Hill that Kills, and the fact you have to run or walk up it on each of the three laps, and once more just to finish you off before you get to the finishing line. It was a chilly one, and the double gloves and layers did nothing to stave off the cold while walking the 5km.

And as for the Hill that Kills... it definitely lived up to expectations, as Will found it a struggle this week; but with the encouragement of his Goodgym Guide (I call it encouragement, he may call it chivvying) and the cheers of volunteers at the top and bottom, he managed it each time and was pleased to complete the Parkrun despite his aching legs.