A fantastic turn out for our group run to Martin Primary School - 9 Goodgymmers and some new faces!

Joining us for the first time was Ahmad, who - amazingly! - has already done his Taskforce training. Also great to welcome Rosie and Gabrielle (Gabonnet), both on their first group session with us in Barnet, but not their first sessions. And so, our mighty pack warmed up outside the Phoenix, then set off for Martin Primary School, some walking with Rachel leading on the way there and Theodore on the way back, and the rest of us running.

There, met by John the groundskeeper, we took up shovels, rakes and barrows to help mulch the paths from the gate into the forest school. In highly organised teams, we set to refreshing the paths for learners old and young to be able to access the kitchen, orchard and parachute-canopied living classroom in the middle of the forest patch. With so many of us, the work was done in record time, so we jogged back to the Phoenix for a warm down and stretch, with some extra squats thrown in while we waited for the walkers to catch us up.

All round, a solid session, and mulch fun was had by all!

GoodGym Barnet: Helping a Forest School in East Finchley

On a crisp January evening, five dedicated GoodGym members gathered at the Phoenix Cinema for a group run with a mission: helping a forest school in East Finchley. Despite some last-minute dropouts, this hardy team of volunteers was ready to make a difference.

As we assembled, we shared stories of our favourite childhood books, setting a light-hearted tone before the evening’s work. A special mention to Susanna , who joined her first nighttime group run after attending our weekend intro session—she took it all in her stride.

We started with a gentle jog down East Finchley High Street to warm up, stopping midway for some dynamic exercises, including three-step punches, kick-ups, stick strides, and twists. With our heart rates up, we continued to the school, ready for the task ahead.

The Good Deed

At the school, we were greeted by wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes, with instructions from our host, Jon, to spread fresh woodchip over worn and muddy areas. The chilly night air mixed with the dust from the woodchip, creating an almost magical, eerie atmosphere.

Anthony Mak-Fan showed great commitment and determination, tackling the heavy woodchip with focus. Meanwhile, Susanna on her first group run, worked effortlessly, making a strong first impression. Rachel Melinek was her usual reliable self, leading the group back to the Phoenix with energy and enthusiasm. Beattie, always dependable, was an excellent back marker, ensuring everyone stayed together and safe.

Mid-task, I took a moment to show Susanna and Anthony around the rest of the forest school, giving them a sense of the space we were helping to maintain.

After completing the work, we returned via a slightly different route to include a sprint workout. We tackled three sets of sprints with gentle jogs in between, adding an extra fitness boost to the evening. Along the way, we also did press-ups against walls before finishing back at the Phoenix Cinema.

A Bonus Good Deed

While warming down with gentle stretches, an elderly lady approached and asked for assistance retrieving personal items from her car. She needed her credit cards to pay for a film. Without hesitation, we stepped in to help, completing an unexpected but rewarding second good deed to end our session.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and worked hard to help the forest school. Your dedication and teamwork continue to make a difference in our community!

Once more, intrepid Goodgymmers gathered at the Phoenix and rose to the challenge of the forest school paths at Martin School. With the sun having just slunk below a moody autumn horizon and clouds threatening rain, we had the added bonus of it being George's first time leading a group run.

Fortunately with two experienced Goodgymmers running alongside, Paul and Rupesh, nothing could go wrong. We warmed up gamely, sharing exercises and swapping stories of our favourite warming winter food. Then we jogged up the High Road to the school.

There, met by groundskeeper John with flashlight and tools, we got stuck in to the now much-compacted mulch pile. We filled wheelbarrow and wheelie bin, carting woodchips down the path and spreading them with our trusty rakes. Even Gus, our unofficial mascot, eagerly chipped in by keeping foxes at bay while we worked.

We toiled swiftly and fully chipped the path from the gate to arch, where darkness swallowed our feeble torchlight and we were like, nah, maybe stop there, which was fortunate because time had run out and so, after a brief exchange of stories about Shaolin monks and Chinese martial arts with John, we trekked back to the Phoenix Cinema for a gentle warm down, and for Gus to hydrate.

Another great session, the paths well mulched and ready for the forest school's next horizon-expanding experience.

The sun, in its usual nonchalant manner, was beginning to take its evening bow as seven of GoodGym's stalwart members embarked on a mission that combined the heroic with the horticultural. Beattie, John, Rachel, Moya, Lucinda and Michaela had one single objective: to lay down wood chipping on the forest path at Martin Primary School. This was not merely a whimsical endeavor but a preemptive strike of sorts, ensuring that when September rolled around, the returning children would have a path as smooth as a duke’s handshake, well... or some other minor royal...

But our intrepid heroes were not content with just securing the future of these young scholars’ footwear. No, they had a plan so cunning it could have been devised by a fox with a degree in strategy. Along with the wood chipping, at the end of heir task they carried a bounty of apples, freshly picked from the ground, if one can combine 'freshly' and 'ground' in a single sentence.

As they reached the school, the scene was one of industrious delight. The air was filled with the mingling scents of freshly chipped wood, very hot underneath, and the crisp, tangy aroma of apples that would have had even the most jaded of noses twitching in appreciation. With the precision of landscape artists, they spread the wood chippings, transforming the once earthy track into a path fit for the most discerning of schoolchildren.

And the apples? Well, they were carefully stowed away, ready for the day when one of their number would be seized by the irresistible urge to turn them into something far greater than the sum of their parts. A crumble, perhaps, that would one day be enjoyed with the same satisfaction as a job well done.

So it was that the GoodGym runners departed, leaving behind a path as welcoming as an old friend and a stash of apples with potential yet untapped. The children will return in September to a pathway worthy of a fairy tale, and one day, perhaps, that apple crumble would come to pass—a fitting end to a fruit-ful day. Well done everyone!

On that blustery wet summer day, I joined George and Valeria for a GoodGym mission from the Phoenix Cinema to Martin Primary School in East Finchley. Despite the unusual weather conditions, we tackled the large pile of woodchip for the school path. The Orchard looked promising, with plenty of apples on the trees. Armed with a wheelbarrow, two wheelie bins, shovels, and a rake, we patched up holes in the forest paths and improved areas under the trees. During our efforts, we also had a chat with John, who facilitates after-hours use of the school. keep running walking or cycling and doing good.

Greetings, GoodGym enthusiasts! Last night's escapade was nothing short of a woodland wonderland adventure at Martin Primary School's enchanted forest paths. Our mission? To spruce up those trails so the kiddos can frolic freely amidst nature's embrace.

We rendezvoused at the bustling Phoenix Cinema, amidst the buzz of a new NHS film echoing through the halls. But fear not, for our hearts were set on a different kind of rescue mission: to save Martin Primary's forest paths from the clutches of neglect.

As the cool evening ended, we kicked off with a vigorous warm-up routine - lifting knees, back kicks, and even a spot of skipping (a skill I've yet to master, I must confess). Alas, a pesky injury confined me to two wheels, but fear not, I pedaled alongside, cheering on our gallant runners.

Under the adept leadership of Beattie ,and with Rachel as our trusty rear guard, our spirited squad embarked on our woodland odyssey. And lo and behold, we welcomed Asia our newest recruit, who bravely tackled the trails with aplomb, proving that running prowess knows no bounds.

Upon meeting John, our woodland wizard, we delved into the task at hand - excavating woodchip, ferrying it in wheelbarrows and wheelie bins, and sprinkling it like forest fairy dust over the paths. With every scoop and rake, we carved out paths fit for the wildest of adventures.

But our work was not done yet! With the cool evening air invigorating our spirits, we indulged in a brief but exhilarating HIIT session - press-ups, squats, and Kubilay sprints, oh my! Great effort from Tom and Two sets later, our muscles tingling with satisfaction, we bid adieu to our woodland haven and made a beeline for the Phoenix.

With weary limbs and contented hearts, we gathered in the foyer for a final stretch, the echoes of cinema-goers' laughter fading into the night. And as we toasted to another successful mission, I couldn't help but marvel at the magic we conjured amidst the trees, and the camaraderie that binds us together in our noble quest.

Until next time, dear comrades, keep on running, keep on giving, and keep on spreading the GoodGym love!