Make no bones about it - it looked like a grave task but it wasn't as turf as it looked!

We kicked off the warm up with the biggest group of the year so far: 23 of us including four new recruits! Welcome to Paul, Daniel, Cassandra and Connor on their first GoodGym run and welcome back for a 2nd run to Philippa. After kicking, squatting and burping for a while, we got on with the warm up. Everyone enjoyed a longer warm up this week, honing in our technique and agility.

Off we ran (and walked) around Surbiton and Kingston and up to Surbiton cemetery. The wheelbarrow squeeking around the pitch black cemetery made for an edgy setting as we picked up the tools and got ready to work. Digging things up in a cemetery may sound like grave task but it wasn't an undertaking. 23 of us made light work of edging and removing turf from the paths and we cleared a path in no time.

Well done again GG Kingston runners for making such quick work of clearing a path at Surbiton cemetery this week #kingston #goodgym #surbitoncemetery #volunteering #runninggroup #getfitdogood pic.twitter.com/QFOELypjoa

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) March 6, 2020

Back we ran to the Guildhall - stopping on the way back for an obligatory photo in front of the iconic leaning phone boxes of Kingston, before we dialed up the pace for the final leg. Then back for stretches.

Super effort to all

In the news tonight we mentioned a few things but one we need to think on was the message about reducing the risk of Coronavirus spreading so here is the link to GG's tips on the matter https://www.goodgym.org/stories/coronavirus-information-for-goodgym-activities

What a great turn out of runners for a Tuesday night in Kingston! With 17 runners warming up outside the Guidhall our run leader for the evening, Samia, had us heel flicking, walking our hands out to a plank, lunging and going through the essential pre-run stretches to prevent injury. Before long we were all warmed-up and ready to do our quick run through the market square and off towards Canbury Gardens and on to our task for the evening!

It was to St Luke’s CE Primary School we ran this evening! With a link made by one of our own Kingston Goodgym runners, we were tasked with some clearing of leaves from the scooter and bike racks as well as the cleaning out of gutters and drains outside the classroom’s conservatories. While it seemed like they were big tasks to take on when we arrived, it didn’t take long before we’d divided to conquer our mission and got into the groove (between each rack over the gutters too). With great speed of scooping and sweeping, it wasn’t long before all gutters were cleared on the Key Stage 2 classroom side of the school and our task leader took us over to the Key Stage One side to continue while there was still time to clear as much as we could.

While the gutters were being cleared by half of the group, we couldn’t be’leaf’ how quickly a few bags were filled with the leaves from around the bike stands by the other half! Many hands made light work as the bags of mud and sludge from gutters got heavier! Once the last sweep left little ‘broom’ for improvement where the scooters stood, it was time to ‘leaf’ the bags by the shed and prepare for our run back.

With a final quick monkeying around on the trim trail of the playground, it was time for a group photo and school was out!

Well done to all on this Kingston group run for your support of a local school that has a big part in our local community. We were lucky to meet some new runners this evenings as well and send a big cheer to Scott and Moemen on their first group run with us and Owen and John returning for their second. Huge congratulations to Claire for her achievement of 50 good deeds and to Rob for 100 good deeds in Kingston! And thanks to Caroline for backmarking and Kate for being a wonderful taskowner and writing the run report! Our community is a better place because of your great contributions!

We’re back to school again next week so sign up to join us on a run and task to support St Paul’s CE Primary School next Tuesday!

A team of nine GoodGym-ers decided to put the mince pie delicacies behind them and start 2020 right with a run to Seeability Care Home in Surbiton this evening. It seemed like only yesterday we were there to put the Christmas lights up and help decorate. But, it’s true what they say: ‘what goes up must come down.’ Preferably using pliers.

We met Martel at the task and said a warm hello to the lovely residents before starting work.

From taking down stars to carefully packaging up the lights (we’ll thank ourselves for that later) and even tidying up the mobility van, Mark, Jenna, Charlotte, Dave, Rob, Kate, Claire, Donna, and Martel, did a great job of sprucing up the shared living space in a swift 25 mins.

Then we ran back down the hill in double time to the Guildhall HQ for a warm down. It must have been the new trainers, running watch, running dog tags and even strava socks that made the difference! Thanks Santa!

Chatting throughout the run and task made getting the first GoodGym group run of 2020 under our belts so much easier. So, make the most of the good vibes and sign up for next week - and even bring a friend. I heard the term ‘ball pool’!

See you there!