Tonight we ran between just between 6 and 7kmto promote the Clocktower Community Market in South Norwood by delivering over 200 leaflets!

After a sunny day the evening proved a little chilly although the run to Woodside Green where we met Jasmine certainly warmed us up. Tonight’s task was to help promote a local community market held monthly in South Norwood by leafleting the streets in the local area.

We spilt into 4 groups and up and down the streets of Woodside – we’ve still got some leaflets left so the local libraries and cafes will find themselves with some leaflets over the next few days. until we’d run out of leaflets.

We met back up at the war memorial on the green and although we didn’t have much time before we needed to head back we did fit in som fun Suicide Sprints which everybody loved! We did lose 3 runners who headed home as we were close by and then another 2 as we got closer to our finish point. Luckily they all told me they were leaving so we didn’t spend the rest of the evening looking for them!

We also had a new member today Andy - so a big welcome to him and hope to see you in your red t-shirt very soon.

Don’t forget we’ve got the London-wide social on Thursday 4th of May in our very own Croydon at the Bedford Arms close to Solutions. This will be going on the website very soon so you can sign up but in the mean time “save the date”.

Next week we will be heading back to the lovely Grangewood Park in Thornton Heath to work with the Friends Group. Here is the link to sign up.

As always the team gathered at the Phoenix on our first day-lit run of the year! (The first half at least!) We were joined by GG newbie Alexandra and GG tourist Ollie. Give them a cheer!

After a quick warm up by the Phoenix, we split in into two splinter groups and made our way to the Barnet Furniture Centre for some upcycling. Damian lead the speedy group while I took the less speedy group, with Bristol Chris my trusty backmarker.

The others were already hard at work when we arrived on site. Jade, the task host, was very excited to have us all there helping and had plenty for us to do. Chris and Beattie managed to not eat the Lindt chocolate bar casually left behind them, earning them the 'Good' moniker, whilst almost getting their table looking ship-shape. Their smug faces say it all, really.

After 25 mins hard graft, and some dancing, it was time to say our goodbyes. We gathered outside for a quick photo, while I tried to avoid being run over, before splintering off once more for our run back to base.

The speedy team broke GG Barnet records, running the 3.8km back to base in just 21:08mins!

The Barnet Biscuit of the Week: HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES courtesy of Hazel

Next week we will be running back to BFC to carry on upcycling furniture. Tonight we did a week's worth of work in half an hour. Sign up here to help.

See you next week! Pennie

This week 21 glorious GoodGym-ers ran 2.8km/5.2km to sort through a local carehome's DVD collection

This week (the 25th week of GG Barnet) marks the largest ever number on a group run since we started (not including launch day)! Massive shout out to all the new faces this week, helping us smash our PB: Catherine – who actually came last week too, but I wasn't here so still counts as new! Ciara, Jo, Madeleine and Nadia. Give them all a cheer!

Also give a cheer to GG tourists Jessica and Emily! Let's see if we can smash 21 next time!

After a quick warm up by the cinema and several attempts at a number circle, we were off to the Hammerson care home to take on their DVD collection. Damian lead the group up the hill, while I back-marked. It was a real short run but a real steep hill, taking us 1.4km to the home. Once inside, activities co-ordinator Chris offered us water, biscuits and chocolate before telling the team the task. With multiple stations to work through, the team split into groups. Jody took the opportunity to mentally extend her To-Watch list as she sorted through the care home's goldmind of classics.

With such huge numbers we were able to speed through the collection in record time! Heather kindly volunteered to take the team photo as we posed behind our mountain of CDs.

It was then time for the fitness session. Chris let us use the rec room again, which was such a pleasure. Doing the fitness session indoors is wonderful – especially on that soft carpet! A few of the team opted to help some of the residents organise some jewellry, while a couple of the others sat down for a chat. Everyone else joined me for what I like to call the Animal Olympics.

We started nice and gently with the Inch Worm, then worked our way through several different animals, incorporating matching bodyweight exercises at the other side. Chris and Heather were the speediest of the bunch. They picked up some incredible pace on some of those animal walks. Paul requested we include the Aligator Walk (which was actually more like the Spider-Man, if you ask me) and the Shrimp – and even suggested the team all do some burpees. I love when you all request burpees of your own accord. I knew you were learning to love them! Paul also had some smashing plyo pushups, which definitely deserve a cheer!

We soon finished the animal races, said our goodbyes and headed back to base. I took a group back the way we came: 2.8km in total. Damian took the others the scenic route: 5.2km in total. Massive props to Nadia for choosing the long run – today was her first ever run! Super impressive!

Two trusty favourites crowned as this week's Barnet Biscuit: Oreos and Chocolate Chip Cookies. (Thanks, Freya!)

See you next week when we run to Archer Acadamy to build a pond

Pennie

P.S. Thanks for the headline this week, Damian!

WELCOME TO BARNET. You have to shout it cos it's so good. Tonight we welcomed Bryony and Jo along for their first GoodGym runs.

This evening we were delivering flyers for RSPCA clinic. Paul, Heather and Graham led groups around the Oak Lane area, and once we managed to find houses with letterboxes the doing good bit of our evening was done in no time. Which left plenty of time for the getting fit part.

First up it was CIRCLE OF DOOM. Well, circuit of exercises. Each of the 16 GGers in attendance chose their favourite exercise for the group to perform for 20 seconds. This included some classics such as press ups, some evils such as burpees with tuck jumps (thanks, Uncle Albert), and a set of squats in honour of the missing Pennie.

Next up, we got technical with some running drills. We did Leg Cycles, A-Walk and B-walk.

Finally it was time for a step-up challenge. Who can do 50 step ups quickest? While standing on the street explaining a window above us opened and a head popped out. Had we disturbed somebody? Had we annoyed somebody? Of course not, we're GoodGym. Local resident Tania just wondered who we were.

We explained the concept of GoodGym and she was so impressed she joined in the step-up challenge while cute little kitty "Humbug" looked on. She also knows a few folk around the area who might need out help for some missions, so keep your eyes peeled.

Right-leg step-up champion was Hazel and left-leg champion was Chris. Well done, both. These skills will come in handy if you ever have to run for a tube.

Biscuits were provided by Joanna, a deliciously sweet cinnamon mix. And there were plenty to go around. Nice baking.

Thanks for having me, Barnet. I really enjoyed myself. Pennie'll be back next week for a trip to Barnet Furniture Centre.

xxx,
Simon

P.S. did anybody leave a hat behind? Heather has it.

P.P.S thanks again to what is becoming my personal pun mascot Chris for pun report title :-D