Twelve brave goodgym runners gathered at the Phoenix cinema warmed up and chatted about their favourite books. The weather forecast was poor with the prospect of icy rain and wind. But the sleet never did come as we headed off on the our usual route through the back streets and alley ways of East Finchley. We stopped to do some paired exercises including squat holds and arm presses before reaching the gardens of Stephens house. We were there to meet Peter the gardener who quickly set us to work cutting wood and branches down for the shredder. This involved the use of saws and clippers. Nikki and Katie also went off litter picking. ( Although I think I caught them fencing with the litter pickers!) When complete we headed off down the hill to the house and cafe ( worth a visit). We then did a couple of paired sprints up the hill followed by a group HIT session to music. ( my latest track) One more final run up the hill and a bit of yogic breathing before heading back to the phoenix.

Thanks for coming and doing so good. Keep on being active, helpful and healthy.

Seventeen scintillating goodgymmers ran 2k to transport wood chip and build a path at Martin Primary.

Meeting at the Phoenix, we were joined by Mansi for her first ever good deed! Give her a cheer.

With Abi back marking we set off to Summers Lane. It's about 1km so we got there in no time at all.

Arriving at the school we were met by our task owner Tristan who explained that we would be building a new path tonight. We would need to shift woodchip across the field to make a path from the (very muddy) entrance to the shed to the road. This would help the school's continued use of their outdoor spaces throughout the winter.

We propped up torches, handed out gloves, and got to work. Dividing into teams, we had shovellers, rakers, and transporters using the assortment of wheelbarrows and wheely bins to shift vast amounts of woodchip.

With 30 minutes effort we had shifted a whole load of wood chip and created a neat pathway through a boggy bit of field. Brilliant work team!

It was then time for our fitness session. Using the car park we mapped out a 60m running track and divided into teams for some shuttle runs! The four teams of four took turns to run hard for sixty metres before their recovery runs back. In between we talked about strength work for speed and long runs and practiced squats and calf raises together. Well done all: it will come in handy when the spring half marathons and 10ks kick in!

From there it was a nice short run back for stretches and high fives. Thanks all and I'll see you again soon.

D

Sixteen keen goodgym runners gathered on one of the coldest days of the year to support Stephens House and Gardens by working with the park keeper Peter. We gathered out side the Phoenix for a warm up and chat. Sally(soon to be a barnet member) was congratulated on surpassing her 200 good deeds and presented with a 200 cape( plus other gifts). Fantastic effort give her a cheer! Barnet also topped the Silver league with 87 good deeds. 667km runs and 34 individuals involved in the January Challenge. Big cheer for Abi, Kat and Vicki with great efforts in the month. (There are four community missions over the weekend if you get a spare moment to help Barnets total.) We set off through the streets of east finchley, with Sallys cape streaming in her wake, and people bowing low in appreciation of her new royal status. (see photo) Thanks to Laura for back marking and for starting her coach running career. We met with Peter who split us into teams to wash down the play ground as well as the park signs and Spikes statue. Others also chopped wood and did litter picking in the grounds. After completing our tasks we gathered again for for a right royal knees up! Country dancing with Sally. We finished with some yogic breathing and a fast run home to the Phoenix. Well done every one..... you did good!

Twenty Five (25!) tremendous GoodGymmers ran 6k in the wind and the rain to clear Christmas Trees from the streets of Barnet.

Meeting at the Phoenix, we were joined by:

🏅 Tom, Jenni, and Bec for their first ever good deeds!

🏅 Sophie, Siobhan, and Lauren for their second ever Good Deeds!

🏅 And Super Charlotte for her 50th Good Deed! Well done all - give them a cheer!

We set off from the Phoenix with Abi backmarking and quickly encountered Storm Brendan's wind and rain. It doesn't stop us though and soon we were at Summers Lane. We divided into teams and spread around the residential streets nearby to look for trees. Once we found them we brought them back to the Summers Lane disposal depot.

The team found an incredible 12 trees overall! 🎄🎄

Special mention for:

First back, Rita and Rachel with a strangely tall tree; Sally's team who brought FOUR trees; Sophie, who managed an entire tree herself and is the person behind the walking tree in the pictures above(!).

A great effort. We ran back, with Paul leading a faster group, and were back at the Phoenix in no time. We had our reward ready too: the first GGB social of the year, organised by Mumtaz, at the Bald Faced Stag. With a brilliant turn out, we tucked into some millionaire shortbread and chocolate brownies courtsey of Mumtaz, and presented her with a card from GGB and beyond to thank her for her efforts with the GG Christmas party and all the GGB socials. Thanks everyone!

See you next week in some hopefully more hospitable weather..

D