Time to get our run on in Penarth!

We love a good run, and this Saturday sounded like the perfect opportunity. We started with our headcount and there were new faces the week. Welcome to GoodGym, Megan, Ali, Ann and Kerry. It was absolutely lovely to have you join us! Ann shared with the group that she is actually a Welsh tutor, which is serendipitous as Ben shared that he had just started learning Welsh! There was also a very interesting moment in today's headcount when Dave said his name in Welsh, which is 'Dewi', and a few of us thought he had forgotten his name.

Before the walking group headed off and the two running groups, we first had to limber up and get our muscles ready to run. Ben led everyone down to the end of the penarth pier and had everyone doing star jumps, step ups on benches, little jogs to warm up.

Let's make our way to Tenovus to do some good!

Lucy led the walking group, Welsh Dave led the more relaxed paced runners, and Ben led runners who wanted a very hilly run (more than they had anticipated, no doubt!)

Welcome to Tenovus!

Vince, who was working at the shop today, welcomed us to Tenovus. Did you know? Tenovus Cancer Care is a Welsh cancer charity that supports cancer patients and their families, funds cancer research and works to raise awareness of how to prevent cancer. This meant our help was really going to an amazing worthy cause.

We joined forces to sort, hang, tag and steam clothes, sort and measure linen, price CDs and DVDs, and give the shop a spring clean😀👏

Helping at charity shops can often lead to very interesting discoveries. Today Lucy found a Jimmy Choo bag, Llion found Christmas CD's, Lowri found brightly coloured jackets, Welsh Dave found cute teddy bears and toilet golf game and Ben found a babe wig!

Vince was AMAZED by how much we helped in the time we were there for.

That's all, that's all

As much as we would love to help at the Tenovus store all day, we all had to get on! We waved goodbye to one another and bid our friends from GoodGym Bristol a fond farewell.

Some of us then headed to Penarth Pavilion for cups of coffees and avocado cake. Nom nom nom!

A fantastic Penarth run! Thank you everyone for making it so much fun <3

Is it really October20th?

No one told the Vale of Glamorgan! This sunny Saturday morning 8 Goodgym runners met up and the iconic Penarth Pavilion (our Vale home) to run along the coastal path and loop into the town centre to do some steaming, sorting and stocking for Tenovus. It was such a lovely sunny day (check the photos!) and everything was perfect…………..well apart from two runners not arriving which meant we had 8 and not the predicted 10. I could have dined out on the pun of “Ten of us ran to Tenovus” for the rest of my Goodgym career. We will have to go back to help them soon if only for that reason! And if there is more than 10 signed up, I am sorry but some people will get bumped off the list! ;o) 7 of us ran away from the Pier up through the parkland at Windsor Gardens, then along the coastal path towards Lavernock. We took a right and headed down some stairs to run along the disused railway line. This was a lovely quiet and safe place to run back towards the town away from the roads and congestion. The tree line also provided a nice bit of shade to cool down. We made quick time as a group and then cut through town to Windsor road where we arrived at the Tenovus shop and met Vince.

Hold on…. Recount!

The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that 8 has become 7! That is because our cheeky trainer Ben had ran over from posting a new PB at Park run and was waiting for us......hiding in the changing room! Well done on the PB Ben!

Now that we were all accounted for, Vince got us to work upstairs. After some initial confusion over the sorting process Fiona, Marion and Ben got to work sorting donations ready to be priced and sold. They all had to be tagged and bagged correctly so that the Gift Aid could be claimed. They got through a lot whilst giggling like naughty school kids.

Nathan and Martin tackled the steaming of the clothes that were ready to sell. Nathan was a dab hand and said he does all his own ironing at home - but stops short at his underwear! Ellen and Ellie chose items to stock the shelves downstairs in the shop. The items are arranged by colour scheme in this store.

Even though it unseasonably warm, it is almost Halloween so while sorting and steaming the Goodgym team looked for inspiration for the up and coming fancy dress run to the Samye Fondation.

We had:

• Ellie as Tom Cruise in Risky Business
• Martin as a cowboy and army man!
• Ben as a lady and assorted animals
• Ellen as an Ewok!! ;o)

After about 50 minutes at the shop, we finished up and set off for our run back to the Pier. We took a different route – sorry still hills involved! We ran up through town and across Clive Place to the Pier Head Park. The hill was worth it for the stunning views!! We took the opportunity to take some photos and then completed our run (all downhill) back to the Pier. We got chatting to the owner of the Olde Sweet Shop and we bought some doughnuts from him as the smell was too much to resist! We considered that part of our cool down!! ;o)

The runners all then went their separate ways to enjoy the rest of their weekend. Well done all.

The next Penarth run is the 17th November, sign up.