22 hardcore Hackney GoodGymers braved the threat of rain to run 6k to Hackney Elderly Caribbean Organisation and masterfully finish off a magical painting job with epic roller action.

On a drizzly evening in H-Town the weather fairy proved to be kind and held the rain away for us to get our roll on with some quality painting and mini circuit action. Great to see some super energetic new faces to Hackney GoodGym working hard and being helped along with our experienced core crew! A mini pulse raiser took us to London Fields for our warm up of duck walking and fire avoiding tip toe bouncing. Some skipping and leg swings got us nice and mobilised the action ahead. Setting off at a good lick weaving our way through the back streets of Hackney and out towards Stoke Newington in the close atmosphere we all certainly worked up a serious sweat!! The nearly 3k run zipped by in no time and great to see some big running fitness strides being made by many of the regular runners!! Running efficiency and speed are really improving with your consistent hard work well done!! 👏🏼👏🏻👏🏾👏🏿

With a pretty big group we split into groups to rotate through some physical preparation outside with some body resistance exercises and some super speedy painting. With 5 minutes rotations the pace was kept high both paining, taping up and beautifully executed exercises. We will flew through the task and had the second coat done in no time. To celebrate such a top task performance we finished off with a spectacular Static Squat Off where in a long line held a strong squat position for over 2 minutes!! Great way to Feel the burn!!.

We said our goodbyes and headed off for the race back to base. The Sexy group starting with a 3 minute cushion before being chased down by the Speedy crew great to see some of the Sexy group really pushing on in the last kilometre to really finish off the run strong!

A few static stretches and a mild panic to get back into the Bakehouse saw us end a very successful evening!

Be great to have you along next week as we work our magic at the Rio Olympic festival in Dalston please sign up here.

If you fancy some more running fun join me for a Running Fitness session on Thursday in Islington sign up here

If you are around on Thursday evening and fancy going along to the GoodGym monthly drinks all the info is here.

Big Good Luck shoutout to everyone racing this weekend in the ParkRun tour and in Regents Park 10k!!

Last but not least a huge congratulations to Cecilia on completing her 50th Good Deed!! 🎉🎈🎊🏆🏆🎉

Smooth strength

Joel

16 melting GoodGymers ran 6k to paint the main meeting room of the Hackney Caribbean Eldery Organisation in Stoke Newington.

On the hottest day of the year we knew we were in for a treat when James the new trainer for GoodGym Redbridge joined us to help lead the crew on the evenings group run. A top introduction speak check and we were off! Lead my magnificent task force member Clare we weaved our way through the Hackney back streets to Stoke Newington on a 3k run. We were all happy to make it to the task before we melted in the 30 plus degree evening sun, we met Natasha who set us on or way to mixing a variety of magnolia paint to make the now patented GoodGym White. A big stir and a frenzy of masking taping we go cracking with cutting in and dominating with the wonky rollers! Being a few paint brushes down we were able to switch in and out of jobs filling holes and sanding walls. We were also rather good at spilling paint! James proved his handy skills by removing the paint from chairs and the carpet with the delicate application of white spirit. With a last minute paint brush and roller reinforcement we had a epic sprint finish to get all the walls a good first coat of paint before our return in 2 weeks.

James and Clare lead the first group back to base while the perfectionist crew applied the finishing touches. A series of expert stretches awaited the group on the return to base and a fabulous Outro from James rounded off a top but very warm Group run.

Then it was time for the monthly social and brilliant to see 12 of the crew head over to the local for a very much needed refuel and as always top notch conversation.

Thank you to Cecilia for the Pun this week!

I will be away next week but have arranged a high quality replacement in Paul GoodGym Camden trainer and Hackney resident. You will be visiting the HUG garden and the unmistakable Myra to start preparations for a big festival on Hackney Downs at the end of August. Lots of digging and watering to lay the foundations for some amazing animal sculptures we will be creating in the coming weeks! Sign up here.

Best of luck to James with the brand new GoodGym Redbridge! If you fancy a bit off GG action on a Monday Evening Wanstead will be the place to be so get along and say hello repping Team Hackney

Have abreast couple of weeks, keep running and sunning

Smooth striding

Joel