Six runners met on a fabulous Monday summer evening for a short run to the local former Willesden Green police station-cum- future community hub and all-round creative space, followed by a jaunt up to Gladstone Park for a breath-taking relay race!

A smaller group than usual, but no less full of good vibes and energy, Claire was happy to welcome second-timers Jo and Emily, Joe with an 'e', and Brent regulars Liz, Tabitha and Deborah, vying for the 50 good deed black t-shirt, who will be the first...?

We set off down to the High Street with a spring in our step to the task that awaited us - yes that's right, moving old mattresses ready for collection, and stacking up a batch of new ones. There was no sleeping on this job though, we shifted those mattresses quicker than you could say 40 winks and even had time for a cuppa tea.

Meanwhile, out front, Deborah, Tabitha and Jo had set about sprucing up the surroundings, litter picking, weeding and ... oh dear... standing in poo (ever heard of bag it & bin it Brent dog owners?!?). Not one to be a party poo-per (groaaaan!), Tabitha didn't let that take the smile off her face (well, only temporarily!).

With tools packed up and gloves returned, we said our goodbyes and thank you's for the hospitali-tea and ran off towards Gladtstone Park for a tempo relay race, the six were paired up and ran round the bottom of the park in different directions till they met somewhere near the middle, high-fived and changed direction to race back to the start point - competition was fierce and there was only a measley 17 seconds between the first and last finishers, impressive work! We regrouped for a well-deserved stretch out on the grass before heading back to the Queensbury.

Well done everyone! You make Brent Brighter!!!

Wow wow wow. Women of the world did unite on this fine night in Willesdens heart, for an awesome community task! Pow Pow

It was all smiles and sunshine in the midst of a gloriously nearly Indian summer-like day in London. No complaints here, even though it was rather humid, as double digits of my brilliant Brent beauties from all Corners of the globe, rocked up to support the community town team for the second to last Monday in may.

Flame haired lovely Jenny joined me first, who was new to the crew and we welcomed her joyfully with open arms!! shortly after we were joined by always lovely Liz fresh from weekend bridesmaid duties, double double trouble family fun with sister sledge and the Italiano sisters Awesome Amy making the most of the heat wave and dressed for a rave, planking and lightening bolt leggings queen Sadhana and last but not least everyone's favourite Mouse in the House.

So after housekeeping and shares, we wasted not one care and alive and kickin, set out on our mission.

Hot to trot and not half a mile away, the task awaited us in the form of community goodness sprinkler Colin and his glorious crew of merry men, little did they know they were soon to be joined by the equally if not more merry and definitely stronger wonder women from Goodgym Brent!

As we powered down the high road our red tees flashed past locals like lightening bolts crashing through the clouds. And what a joy it was to bear witness to the crowds of head turners who smiled with glee and cheered us on!

Ello ello ello... Arriving in no time at all, we reached our destination for the eve - The Old Police Station and tasking for a Willesden Town Team!!! Yay!

What was once the dominant presence of the local police station, standing all proud with its Victorian bricks in the heart of Willesden since 1801, had been left an abandoned ruin for many a year, in a wanted state of repair. Recently being relinquished as home to squatters, graffiti bandits and litter droppers, the local community had rallied together to take back ownership and begin working on the creation of community hub which will eventually become home to local businesses, hot desks, a community cafe and much much more in the view to bring the good people of this area together in one lovely and lively central community hub. How marvellous!!

So upon arrival Colin gave us the tour and creeping around in an original Victorian prison Cell we were found. Led on further by our very own brave mouse, who wasn't scared by resident cats in the house. Meeooowww.

After the grand tour it was time to get down to work and there was plenty of it let me tell you! Planting and making beautiful the gardens at the front. Shovelling and disposing of exploded soil bags in the main grounds and muchos lifting and shifting of mega heavy wooden panels and sheets of metal. Eliza in particular proving that size and gender means absolutely nothing when it comes to strength and determination because this superwoman held her own with the heaviest piece of metal known to man of womankind!! Even having enough energy to skateboard after the efforts lol!!

While the girls worked tirelessly for 60mins, never once were they distracted..... hummm okay we did laugh our way through most of the task, finding peculiar objects in the grass (the weird exploded foam finger to name one a Sadhana and I finding this most amusing) we planned our summer Brent shindig and discussed the pros and cons of racing in heat!

Before I knew it a time check brought us > crashing down to reality - end of play on this fine day. But we couldn't have tried more, with these plentiful chores!

Saying a quick and fond farewell to the community crew, we booked in our next visit without further a do. and like the lightening bolts once again we blitzed down the road for one final sprint back to base camp, arriving back at the joyful hubbub of the Queensbury our home from home !

What a fabulous evening, well worth the time spent, getting fit, having fun and giving back to the wonderful community of Brent.

See you next time!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE.

Well, maybe not the town but an inside shop wall to help Greenwich & Bexley Hospice get there shop refurbishment a step forward. This week I was so pleased to have three new faces on our run and task. Welcome Mavis, Jane and Caz, I really hope you enjoyed yourselves. We certainly enjoyed having you. After signing in we went into our mandatory pre-run chat and warmup. Well done Fidellis for winning the prize of 10 star jumps In our favourite car competition. Serves you right for having expensive tastes 😂. On warming up (remember we warm up to run, not run to warm up) we headed out of base camp Crooklog and straight up towards Welling. There's something quite satisfying about running and dodging commuters as they head home and we head to do our good deed. On arrival we were greeted with smiling faces and refreshing water, thanks Mandy. It's at this point we go from runners to good deeders and got stuck straight in to the task. With a team cutting in and a team rolling , the hardest part for me was stopping the guys painting my beard whiter then what it all ready is. Little did they know pay back would be on our run home. <Little did they know pay back would be on the run home
With the gang doing a brilliant job it was left to our tallest member Fidellis to finish off all the areas at the top. After admiring our professional workman ship and posing for photo's (think we're getting pretty good at that) it was time to say our good byes and head back to base camp Crooklog. With this weeks runners being of all abilities we set a meet up point at Welling Football Club for our first fitness drill. Thanks Eilleen and Janine for looking after the front group, you guys were brilliant as always. As we arrived at Welling FC, pay back for the attempted beard painting was due and it started in the form of wall squats, ouch!! <As we arrived at Welling FC, pay back for the attempted beard painting was due. After a competitive sit off ** we were off again and to **my delight soon came across perfect walls for my wall press ups and tricep dip drills. Payment was due, and the debt was going to be paid in full 😂 After doing our bingo wing destroying exercises it was just a short run back to Crooklog for our cool down and natter on how it all went. Bexley Goodgymers you were brilliant as always. I really enjoyed your company and can't wait to do it all again next week.............. Last but not least Happy Birthday Tanya hope you had an awesome day 🎉

Twelve runners set out on a beautiful Monday night for short trot down to the Old Harlesden Police Station where a huge task awaited them out the back...

Abraham was there to meet and greet, and introduced us to Colin, who explained that a new art complex called CREATE SPACE will soon be opening there and will be available for local community use, and that they are fighting to make it a great space for everyone, rather than letting it be developed into blocks of flats. Anyone looking for more information about volunteering or signing up as members can contact colinlearatceatespace@outlook.com (0749 232 1626).

Colin led us out to the previously unexplored territory round the back of the station, (where the creepy old Willesden gallows are located!!!) and set us all to work, with Sadhana, our intrepid (and prolific) photographer catching all the best action moments!

There was (quite LITTER-ally) heaps to do;

• moving wood

• weeding

• sawing branches

• moving piles of mattresses

• litter picking

• fighting unruly ivy...

...but the team were undaunted - we had no trouble with the rubble! and cleared some space in that place! Bravely ignoring slugs and wee beasties, brushing past clumps of nettles and thistles and enduring their nasty stings, we worked on for 50 minutes, searching for doc leaves to soothe the pain, but to no avail... We packed up and set off back for the Queensbury with just a sliver of daylight left - yay for spring!

Before you go... The next GoodGym monthly drinks will be on Thursday 6th April from 6.30pm til late, upstairs at the Marquis of Cornwallis, WC1N 1AP (near Russell Sq). All the details are here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/gg-monthly-social-april I hope you can make it!

The next is a 'save the date' for the GoodGym Olympics, which will be held on Saturday 10th June at the Parilament Hill Track from 1-6pm; the idea is that different boroughs compete in events like 400m, and the elimination mile, to more novel events like a welly throwing competition and even hopefully a wheelbarrow race with real wheelbarrows. Each area will be encouraged to make their own flag for the event and even have a GoodGym Bake-off (ala a summer fate style), so hopefully it will be something for everyone.

Bye for now, till next time! XXX

It was all hands on deck, when 18 Brent Goodgymers rolled deep for 5k, in 0 degrees to shovel and roll 15 wheelbarrows of soil, rocks and compost for a Harlesden Town Community Gardens' allotment site. BOOM

Was it cold? - Yes. Was *The Queensbury** and it's open fire inviting us to stick around and chill with a beer or two? UMMMMM Maybe..... *But did that stop us from getting out into our fair old borough of Brent to sprinkle some goodgym charm all over the joint? - Hell No!

Thrown into the mix this Monday eve was a merry band of newcomers - Samuel, Fiona and Vojtech (our new resident chef!!) and of course joining them was my regular squad of lovelies - The Familia Ananda. "Spice up your life" Samina. Sister Sledge Tabitha and Debs. Amy (Pole Fit Goddess) Crawford. Take no prisoners man like Neil. Clairey (Veteran) birthday Bell. All the sass and bringing some Class Liz James. The one and only mouse in the House Clare. Never not smiling Karen and always Awesome speedy Queen Andrea.

Also joining the masses on Monday was one in particular, so happy we were to see for the first time this year was Lucky Enrique back and recovered from a poorly Jan. Also one big fat massive delight for night came in the shape of Sparky Sparkes Irwin a vintage GG Brent original bringing some nostalgic vibes.

So with housekeeping done and welcomes wrapped, we set off into the darkness for our last GG Brent of January. Full speed into the night we dashed along to our how for the night Harlesden Town GardensA green space in the heart of Harlesden where people can grow things, play and learn together while meeting and making friends. Helping the community to grow together this is an amazing community project supported by the Brent arm of the charity Crisis. https://m.facebook.com/harlesdentowngardens

Setting an inspiring pace up front, Irwin proved he'd been keeping up the fitness in honour of his big 2017 return. keeping us all well and truly on our toes for a 7.30min mile pace to base. Wowzer!!

After our very swift cavort we arrived on site and even though we may have been out of puff, we certainly weren't out of energy or enthusiasm for that matter, as we set to mission on the tasks ahead. Waiting for us at the gardens, with his usual good cheer and positive vibe was Gabriel from Crisis who manages the site, dishing out the evening tasks. Before long the team were split into groups and got to work, shifting and wheeling the various piles of soil and rocks to their new homes for use elsewhere in the fantastic community arena.

But while the team were busting it out, I of course (never not one to miss a chance to act the kid) had my eyes on some fitness fun in the playground YAY. So over to the apparatus I did go and breaking off in teams of 4 the crew took turns to join me on the bars for a good old monkey around, practicing all manner of body-weight challenges, in particular testing upper body strength.

We hung, swung and knee tucked our way to a fitness session jungle style, with plenty of Pow Pow along the way!!

With all the excitement and glee, What felt like 5mins of fun was in fact 40mins of graft and even though we wanted to stay (and play) much longer we sadly said our goodbyes and off into the night we flew again.

Staying as a pack we jogged a light foot comfy pace towards Roundwood Park to partake in one last fast fit challenge in the moonlight. Partners squat hold and punch arm challenge, 1 min on and 10squats to rest. Great for muscle condition. Rinse, repeat and don't step on the Shame(dog)poo!!

After the exertions we weren't finished there and after we walking lunged our way towards the gate, there was only one more mile that stood in between us and home. This point in, Enrique took to the helm driving the squad for one last challenge up the infamous "Out of Puffington Hill" Wham bam thank you mam. Eat my dust, now onwards home was a must.

Speedy and agile the team dashed off the last mile with glorious Good(gym) cheer and ample crew love. Even with pace group splits and back markers bringing in the final few, it was a team effort and everyone finished off the night with 5k under their belt, biceps bulging and big fat smiles to boot! HURRAAHHH

Epic night, awesome task and stupendous squad. Just your average Monday night for GG Brent.

Do good. Feel good. Inspire.

Eleven merry GG Brent-ers, ran 5k to Ashford place homeless shelter. Dropped twelve bags of warm clothing donations and finished the night with a bodyweight training session of sprints, box jumps and the 100 SQUAT CHALLENGE Just your average Monday in West London then!!! POW POW

The night was bright and clear and we were full of Goodgym Cheer, as we gathered at our local for the housekeeping and catch up bit. To my absolute delight, we welcomed back into the fold - Regular Neil, back for his first injury-free run this year and the awesome powerhouse fam that is - The Ananda's YIPPPEEEEEEE and joining Dimple and newly engaged Nisha (Yay congratulations!!!) was Jessica too.

Making up the gang this eve was our usual gaggle of gorgeous gals - Sister Sledge/Tabitha and Debs, Epic Eliza, Luscious Liz, Miss smiles and energy - Kapow Karen and the bold and beautiful Beth (who actually loves my mad ranting run reports!!! Yes)

So despite the cold, we courageous crew, head out into the darkness to speed the half mile dash up to Ashford Place Community serving powerhouse and homeless shelter based on Ashford Road Willesden. Serving the community in more ways than one, offering support for carers of dementia sufferers, art class, languages and a warm and safe home for 33 people who are without a permanent home!!

Having spoken to Danny the manager last week, I determined that they have a distinct lack of warm clothing to offer residence and furthermore the people who they cannot actually house for the night..... AHHH HAAAAAAA My brain began to tick....... What if we actually put some of those Christmas and January sale clothes to good use???

So out to the masses I did shout and my red shirted band of Robin Hoods returned my call (just to confirm there was no stealing involved lol) So bags in hands, we ran and soon enough dropped our donations into grateful hands.

After the drop, it was best foot forwards and onto Gladstone Park. With all of my imagination I came up with the most effective combo for my crew that would boost their Jan fitness goals; Fat Burn, condition Muscle and up endurance.

Split into teams, what followed was a 3 x circuit of: Box/Bench jumps, Bodyweight Squats and Sprints. smashing out an impressive 100 Squats!!! 70Jumps and 3X Sprint repeats, this team demonstrated that they can pack a punch when it comes to positive energy - from within and giving back.

A short cruise home, took us the cool down route back to base camp. With chats of nutrition and goals, glad tidings and gains, fitness and fun and with our Goodgym Brent, no one was glum.

Until next time....

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

10 goodgymers met up at the old town hall hotel for the last Tower Hamlets group run of the year. Sadly our task was cancelled (get well soon Mags and Michael!) but there was still plenty of festive cheer, especially from Lucy, Flora and Ditte who were joining us for the first time! With no task but plenty of energy to burn we set off on a steady jog, through the streets and onto the canal before heading up to London fields where Bryon joined us, having done his own warm up after hot footing it from work. Here we ran some intervals and the energy and enthusiasm from all was great to see. A gentle run back to base and a few stretches brought the evening to a close. Have a great break everyone and I look forward to seeing you all for much more goodgyming in the new year!

Sprinkling a special dose of Goodgym cheer, 13 radiant runners, pounded pavements, highjacked hills and put to bed PBs on a marvellous Monday night in Brent.

Full squad on deck for the first Monday in November, GG Brent were thrilled to welcome not one, not two but three newbies into the fold. The Super-Spanish addition - Cecilia and Helena and although new to Brent, a fabulous familiar face - Hazel, doing the famous Goodgym borough rounds tour. Additionally awesome was the fact that Hazel had brought along with her some home-baked treats of Brownies and Biccys for afters YAY!!

Joining me (coach Ellie) and our new runners in the ranks were a gorgeous gang of regulars including: Clairey-Bell, Mouse in the House Clare, Tabitha and Rebekah (aka sister sledge), Daring Debs, Lovely Liz, Super-dooper (don't forget the first aid bum-bag) marathon trooper Sadhana and... Man alert Monday: Neil and Enrique YAY.

Confessions before sessions, I had to relay the news that all my efforts to rescue the cancelled tasks had been unsuccessful this week. However, with some quick joined up thinking from Hazel and the crew, we turned our misfortune into a chance to spread the message of Goodgym with a handy leaflet drop, while grabbing the opportunity to stretch our legs and tackle a full on fitness fun and run session in the Wonderful streets of Willesden.

With this in mind, the team bounced into action. Led on in the front by the one and only 'Mouse' we set to work on the 1 mile dash to Queens Park, where the, circumference of the park, perfectly offers a one mile timed challenge op for the troops.

So armed with my timer and cheering lungs of steel, it was 3,2,1 AND THEIR OFF Dashing the fastest their legs could carry them, to set the bench mark.... here's lap one!

Breathless and quite literally steaming, the teams raced in, one by one.... under 7mins, under 8 and under 9s AMAZING Shocked at their own speed, there was no resting on our laurels and after a quick catch of breath off they went again. Incredibly, round 2 brought in consistent times for each athlete, proving there was no fluke and thankfully also..... no puke phew

Even after the epic 2 mile dash, this team of warriors finishing off, only the best way they could......squats of course to the glorious chimes of our Balearic beautys..... This will give us the Culos Perfectos in town* and that is a bunch of PERFECT BOTTOMS to you and me..... HA HAAAAAA

So after such an epic achievement of a session, there was only one way to finish, with Hazel's bountiful bake and stuffing our faces with goodies. Hurrah I suppose it goes to show, we will get the rewards when we Pud-in the work

Until next time x x x x

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

Here at BadGym there are three ways to be evil:

1) Group runs. We all meet up once an week and go and make the borough a little bit more dreadful to live in. We find newly-decorated community centres and graffiti the walls; we visit public gardens, pour bleach over the flowers and scatter dandelion seeds everywhere, and we occasionally "give people a bit of a kick-in"

2) Missions. A small group of runners go to a vulnerable person's house, find a job that they struggle to do themselves and make it even harder. Classic example include putting lots of heavy furniture in front of doorways and removing the handles from saucepans.

3) Coach runs. This is where a runner is paired up with an isolated older person that they visit once a week and terrorise. The basic idea is to get as drunk as possible, get a cab to their house, do a runner without paying your fare and then sit and abuse the older person for a good half hour or so.

Four new evil-doers joined us tonight: 'orrible Oscar, Scary Scott, Spirit Sophie and Haunted Hazel. We hope you hated it and never come back.

So, this evening we paid a visit to Barnsbury Community Centre. Our job for the evening was to pull up flowers and plant weeds. We also had to smear lots of dirt around the new floor tiles in reception. We worked hard at generally messing the place up for a good 20 minutes and it look awful when we left. Brilliant!

And there was lots of getting fat tonight. Atrocious Alex provided gummy sweets and chocolate beans, Dastorous Dan provided homemade ghoulish biscuits and Spooky Simon provided the usual biscuits.

Ghoulish Game of the evening was finding three hidden chocolate pumpkins concealed underneath cones. Can't remember who found them now and I don't care cos I'm evil. BTW They were poisonous! Ha ha ha ha ha!

And also lots of dressing up this evening. See main photo for the efforts. Some clever ideas with Frightening Frances dressing up as "plantar fasciitis" and Ghastly Graham as a Trump supporter, but by democratic vote Bella and Hazel were clear winners and fought over their prize: a little millkybar ghost. I hope it rots your teeth.

Our disgusting debate? The best way to murder somebody and get away with it. Notable ideas: Richard suggested reversing over somebody in your driveway and Chilling Charlie like the idea of Ricin. There were other good ones that I forgot. If that makes you feel left out then GOOD!

I hate you all. Please don't come back next week,
Spooky Si

P.S. there's a picture of a mushroom with another mushroom on it in the photos. This is because I accidentally copied it across with the other photos then thought you might want to see it anyway