13 was lucky for us tonight, we had a good run and some great fun at a fab task!

We all met at Wholefoods and welcomed Mena, Kate and Brian on their first run.

During the news we spoke of our upcoming 3rd birthday celebrations next week (check out the padlet on whatsapp and let us know what your bringing to the birthday picnic.)

There was a reminder that the Asics 10km still need volunteers - if you volunteer this year you will get a free place in the race next year.

News of a Community Mission based in Kingston and joint long run (12km) on 20th July followed – check that out here

Richmond RunFest are offering GoodGym Richmond runners 30% off of their new 5km race on 14th September (if 5 people register we can also receive a free place) - you can register here , there is a post-race party afterwards! Save 30% by using this code at checkout: GOODGYM30 (all caps)

Tonight we also wished Jason good luck with his 100km run this weekend!

We congratulated Susan on 50 good deeds and awarded her the black sash

Lastly, we applauded our Run Trainer Mark for 200 good deeds and presented him with a homemade cape, each letter hand sewn by Africa to read “Richmond Hero 200”

Our very own superhero! Congratulations Mark #runtrainer #goodgym #200deeds #doinggood #coach #leader #runner #athlete #fitness @PtBarun pic.twitter.com/mJrK5epFG3

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 9, 2019

Back to the night’s task, we were to warm up on Richmond Green, taking advantage of the bright night and withholding rain we jumped, planked and tagged each other until we were ready for the 6km run ahead. We took the route to St Margaret’s and into Marble Hill park, arriving at Marble Hill Play centre.

It wouldn't be GoodGym Richmond without the crazy warmups! #goodgym #richmond #richmondgreen #warmup #fitness #runninggroup #joinus #mondays pic.twitter.com/O6p5RpQA9w

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 9, 2019

This centre is a very special place indeed, it offers inclusive play in their adventure playground for 5 to 15 year olds in the borough as well as drop in sessions for younger children and their families.

We met Esther who instructed us on our tasks for the evening, half of us were to put our painting skills to the test and paint a huge rope swing frame bright yellow , while the rest of us were asked to dig and turn over the ground underneath the other huge rope swing. So we swung into action putting some muscle into turning over the ground and practising our flexibility while painting so that we did not go home with yellow stains on our new running leggings (whoops too late!)

The final 10 minutes of the task was a tense time, Mark challenged us to paint the entire deck leading to the swing – so “all hands on deck then” , we slapped paint down and vigorously covered the entire decking (with the help of Kate who had acquired a large paint roller – we will now nickname her “yellow Kate”) and we did it! All with time to spare so we got to shoot some hoops and take a group photo.

Who gets to do this on a Monday night after a run! #greatfun #adventure #play #painting #therapeutic #gooddeeds #goodgym #runninggroup pic.twitter.com/2BprRrYT0d

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 9, 2019

We made our way back to Wholefoods, yellow and proud of our achievements. The run took us along the river, taking in dinner as we went (those pesky flies!) and then over the bridge and back into Richmond town centre, cooling down at Wholefoods once again.

Welcome again to Mena, Brian and Kate, and well done to Susan for 50 good deeds and Mark for a whopping 200!

See you next week

Happy running