This evening 19 runners met for GoodGym, eager and excited to be combining their running with doing good in the community

Runners all gathered at Yr Hen Llyfrgell for one final time (we will be changing our meeting point from next week, so make sure you follow the GoodGym Facebook Page to be kept up to date). We were also joined this evening by someone who had never run with GoodGym before, WELCOME SOPHIE! It's always nice to see new faces running with us.

This week we were helping out two tasks, the Cardiff Foodbank and Womens Connect First

Team 1: Running to Cardiff Foodbank we had, Sophie, Emma, Emma, Stuart, Aimee, Charlotte, Andie, Keira, Rosie, Jess and Mikey, led by Ben Team 2: Running to Women Connect First we had, Martin, Welsh Dave, Adam, Gweni, Lydia and Lucy, led by Darren (or Razzle Dazzle as he likes to be known).

Both teams set off in opposite directions at a rate of knots, waving to one another as they parted ways! The run there for each team was quick, with good running form on display.

Arriving at the tasks

Share welcomed everyone to Cardiff Foodbank. She told them a little bit about the Foodbank and about what they do to help the community.

At the Women Connect First allotment runners were greeted by Menaka, she told them a bit about the charity and about the task the runners would be doing that evening.

At the Foodbank runners were cracking on with the task, armed with hammers they were breaking pallet after pallet. Stuart said "It's hammertime" and proceeded to dance! Mikey was in his element, taking the opportunity to use a sledgehammer to break pallets. Sophie looked like a pro, smashing the pallets with all her strength - the pallets didn't stand a chance! Emma was also fierce, using all her upper body strength - she made the task look easy! Everyone was releasing their frustration in this task.

Whilst at the allotment, Lucy and Adam were filling wheelbarrows with compost which they then proceeded to wheel down to the plantation beds. Adam ate a watermelon! Yes, it's true! Martin, Lydia, Dave and Gweni were all weeding the plantation beds. Everyone then joined forces and moved dried up grass which was piled up a few weeks earlier into wheelbarrows and moved into onto the new compost heap. With Darren doing a countdown, the challenge was on to completely move one of the piles. Wheely good work everyone!

Now it's time to run back!

After having 35 minutes of volunteering fun it was time to head back. Share thanked runners for their efforts at the Foodbank and Menaka thanked all of the runners at the allotment - It really was a successful evening and we wish we could do it all again. ONLY 7 sleeps until the GoodGym run next week folks!

Everyone then headed to the Glassworks for drinkypoos!

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This evening 13 runners ran to help out at the Women Connect First allotment in Pengam Green. Keep reading to find out about how it went...

Everyone arrived promptly at 6.15pm ready to run at 6.30pm. There was some chit chat before we set off for our run because we all like to catch up with one another about the weekend and how our week has started off. We welcomed Jane too! Our headcount included naming our favourite vegetable... there were a few mentions of asparagus, a mention of parsnip and much confusion about what was a fruit and what was a vegetable. We also learned that Emma's own allotment is growing fruitfully.

Time to go!

Our task this week was 2 miles away so we quickly got on our way. Crossing, squatting, and hippity hopping as we made our way to Pengam Green allotment.

It's great to see you GoodGym!

Rehana and Kati greeted us with massive smiles! "It's lovely to see you all" they said. It was really clear what needed doing there as the long grass was taking over the allotment and so, true to our name of being 'Speed Volunteers', we got stuck in. Joseph was throwing grass in every direction, Fiona Lucy and Emma found a bath, Darren was pulling (up weeds) and Lisa, Lorena, Keira and Jane were all on fire pulling up the long grass in world record time. After half an hour of helping out we had made a HUGE difference. There were now 3 massive piles of uprooted long grass and the pathways were now visable once again - it's really amazing what a small group of dedicated people can do in such a short space of time!

>Thank you runners. This would have taken forever and a day without support!

The RunPunStiltskin winner this week was Fiona! Well done - you were very punny this evening :) Enjoy keeping this virtual award over the next week, but Don't lose it!

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On a glorious Tuesday evening in Cardiff/Caerdydd, 18 runners joined in with GoodGym, motivated by Mental Health Awareness Day to combine running with helping the community

It’s 6.15pm and runners begin to gather at Yr Hen Lyfrgell. Motivated to socialise, motivated to get fit and motivated to combine the two to help the community! – That’s 3 reasons why people get involved with GoodGym.

At 6.30pm we all headed outside Yr Hen Lyfrgell and lined up ready to begin our warm up. As there were some new faces this week Ben began by briefly explaining about GoodGym (Ben also likes to accompany his explanation with acting… he tries). Then was the headcount. We all introduced our name, our number, whether we had been to GoodGym before and what our favourite movie is. There were some wonderful suggestions, from Lord of the Rings by Ellen to Laurence of Arabia by Adam! I can't remember who said 'Elf' but if you did...GOOD CHOICE! Amongst the crowd were 2 new runners to GoodGym, a HUGE welcome to Holly and Alex, and also Jack; Jack’s first ever GoodGym run was with GoodGym Hackney… and now, returning to his Welsh roots, he has moved back to Wales and will be running regularly with GoodGym Cardiff and making appearances at park runs too. Sorry, not sorry for our crazy ways! :) – We are pleased to have you running with us Jack!. The baguette Hackney sent didn’t arrive, but fortunately Jack wont starve as we gave him some Welsh cakes. (Check out the photos!)

Lets get warmed up and the blood flowing through our bodies

After introductions it was time to get down to business and get warmed up. Ben called upon a sea of lunges to start the warm up – even random members of public joined in! The warm up proceeded with opening of gates, doing hip flexor exercises and finishing off with some high knee drills. Wahoo!

Once warmed up, we began our journey to Leckwith Alottment. Ben led the way and Emma and Lucy volunteered to be the backmarkers. Backmarkers. Well done guys you did a great job at keeping everyone together and safe!

We’re here!! Hello? Helllooo???

When we arrived at the gates to the allotment Rehana was still in the taxi on the way to meet us. However… fear not young minions, for Ben has a bag of tricks up his sleeve and calling on his powers of improvisation he took runners to do some parner fitness excercises, including partner press-ups and claps and squat claps. He then got everyone working on their agile foot work and played a game of knee fencing. Ben was then about to get runners to do some sprit drills, but, fortunately for everyone who groans at sprint drills Rehana arrived in her taxi. Without further ado Rehana let us into the allotment and led us to the plot of Women Connect First at a running pace.

What’s this?... another locked door?

The plot was locked, but this was okay because we quickly played another game whilst waiting for the key. This game was called ‘In the race or Over the finish line’. Basically when Ben said in the race, they would have to jump onto the path and when he said over the finish runners had to jump onto the woodchip – The last two runners in were Claire and Lowri! AWESOME footwork guys! Lowri was also wearing very fashionable running leggings which reflected a whole myriad of colours…

Behold the one key to rule them all

The key had arrived and we managed to get into the plot – Hooray!!! It is safe to say we had no idea whatsoever that this allotment even existed!... Keen to get stuck straight in, runners dived straight into the task; First of all they had to de-weed the plantation beds, then they had to lift and move the beds, after moving the beds they then had to level out the ground, and finally, finish off by moving the beds back.

Some of the runners were also picking runner beans whilst this was going on and getting rid of weeds which were growing out of control in the allotment. Mikey found himself nice shoes with sequins on them. Holly didn't hold back and was getting stuck in with the weeding! Jack was running to and forth to the shed, we even thought he got stuck at one point!

It was safe to say everyone did a fantastic job! Aimee and Ellen were providing a continuous supply of puns too..

TIME IS UP

With beds made everyone got in the beds together for a final group photo… All 18 GoodGym runners and Rehana and Mei from Women Connect First... it was very cosy (and the little one said roll over!) There were many innuendos and puns broadcasted - When Ben innocently said, "what shall we all do in bed together?" he immediately realised what he had said... Jack I hope you didn't think being in bed with us was moving things too quick and we all hope you come back next week! After the group photos Rehana gave us all home made Pakoras to try - These were delicious and were devoured in minutes!

The charity we helped is called Women Connect First – they are a wonderful charity; Their mission is to empower and improve the lives of disadvantaged Black Minority Ethnic women and communities in South Wales. To help them realise their full potential, and make a positive contribution to Welsh Society.

It’s time to go folks!

On the way back we followed a slightly different route. We went via the back of Cardiff train station and this enabled Ben to point out meeting point for the Snowdogathon.

There’s always time for a quick riddle…

What type of tree can you hold in your hand? Well done to Claire who was the first person to come up with the answer!!! She got herself a Virgin Oxford cap! The answer will be revealed at next week’s group run everyone!

Congratulations Aimee… you’re puntastic! You’ve won the RunPunstiltskin award this week! Who’s going to take the punt at winning the RunPunstiltskin award next week?... You have to be in it to win it!

Warm down

We made it back to Yr Hen Lyfrgell. Mikey led the warm down and afforded runners with the stats from the run. Everyone did amazing tonight. Pat yourselves on the back for your hard efforts.

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