Wowwwww the fantastic four ran an amazing 8 (and a bit) kilometres to help out again at St Dunstan's Allotments!!

It was a chilly night when 4 amazing Goodgymmers met including the wonderful Steph on her first ever GG run! We were heading back to St Dunstan's Allotments to meet the lovely Rhea and do what we do best...shovel the heck out of some woodchip!!

We started off with a nice warm up and some dynamic stretches to get the blood pumping and our muscles ready for the 8 (and a bit km) then set of at a nice steady pace. We reached the treacherous Ealing Broadway where dodging skills are tested to the max then we hit the Uxbridge road, staying in group and having a good chinwag...I learned that Martin speaks looooads of languages! Very cool!

Then we arrived at the allotments and got to work shovelling and well, I wish I had taken a before shot of the pile as 4 of us made quick work of getting all the woodchip into bags and into the allotments ready to be spread! We donned some face masks as the mulch was dusty so we looked even more bad ass. And it was quite a tough work out...squatting, shovelling, deadlifting the bags! Rhea filled us in on some of the amazing permaculture she has designed and is working on at the allotments, it sounds amazing and I can't wait to see it all in daylight. Then by the time we were done I for one was shattered! Everyone was amazing and we finished with a lovely group hug and said cheerio to Rhea then we were on our way! What a good days work.

We took a steady pace back, interrupted only by the trainline but there were some sweet choons to keep us entertained as we waited! Then it was a hop, skip and jump (by Mel) and we were back before we knew it. We did a few cool-down stretches including a nice forward fold, great for opening up the hamstrings and down through the back and shoulders (as long as there are no lower back issues) and boom! Another amazing week done. I can't wait to see everyone next week for a much shorter 3km so we'll definitely have time for some fun fitness sessions! Sign up here.

Amazing! 6 awesome runners braved the elements (ok the drizzle) to run a massive 8km to St Dunstan's Allotments in East Acton!

We had two GG noobs, Martin and Mel a huge welcome to you! You made 8km seem like nothing and were a massive help with the heavy bags! Super strength!

We set off at a nice warm-up pace, past the iconic Ealing Broadway station and battled through the crowds to Uxbridge road. It was here we encountered my arch nemesis, the puddle on the junction with the North Circular...yes I was splashed once, it was a harrowing time...there was rather a lot of pancake chat ( I hope you enjoyed the post run pancakes Ian!)and with just a quick stop off at the pub (sadly no drinks involved, just a quick toilet stop) we were there and the lovely Rhea was waiting!

We managed to take the straight route this time (what do you mean you didn't want a scenic tour of the A40?!) and, stops included, we managed 4km in a respectable 30 minutes or so. And then it was time to work! Looooads of woodchip had been dropped off and it was our job to put it into bags and shift it into the allotments. This involved perfection of the squat-fill-mulch technique (correct me if i'm wrong on that one Ankit!) and then there was a back and leg workout as we deadlifted all the bags from outside, into the allotments.

There were some mega strong efforts from everyone, the pile clearing was particularly impressive!

We then sped back to Bodyline Studios in about 25 minutes, a quick stretch and we were done!! It was such a fun evening and the work we did would have taken one person absolutely ages! So nice one for being such a bunch of legends! I'm already looking forward to next week, hopefully see you all then! Sign up to next week here.

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!

11 very soggy GoodGym-ers ran 5km delivering flyers for the Barnet Funiture Centre

This week the bravest of Barnet runners came out to help spread the word about a fabulous local charity doing incredible things in the neighbourhood.

We were joined by special guest trainer Tom, the new Sheffield trainer, who lead the pack to the task with the help of Damian after a fab warm up by the side of the cinema. We were also treated to the return of Stacy, who's finally recovered from injury after her epic running of last year.

Once we reached our starting point, we split into two teams. Team Hazel took one road while Team Freya took another. In the end we covered about six roads then did two rounds of exercise before heading back to base: rocket jumps and 180º squat jumps. GG Barnet has cracked the most efficient of flyer jump-frog systems known to man.

Back at Base, Tom lead us through some very thorough stretching and we all congratulated Hazel on breaking the 100km mark this month – the third Barnet runner to break 100 in Jan. You're all bloody brilliant! (The other two being Damian and Freya.)

We were then treated to TWO sets of Barnet Biscuits. Jody made Jammy Dodgers and Eleanor made Ginger Bread Men. I'm very excited by how the group has really taken on responsibility for the Barnet Biscuit and by how fantastic everyone seems to be at baking. I hereby crown you both The Barnet Bakers of the Week. Because we all know how much I love alliteration. Joanna has promised to bring the Barnet Biscuit next week, which is very exciting! Tom loved the idea so much he'll be taking it up North. The Sheffield Shortbread, perhaps? Sheffield Sweeties. I'll leave the name of that one to you!

Next week we will be helping the RSPCA again with another run nearby to flyer. It'll be a short one: 3km total. Sign up here. And on the 14th we'll be running to the Barnet Furniture Centre in Frien Barnet to paint a wall for them. This will be a long one: 3.5km each way. Sign up here

Well done to Eleanor for bringing her docs along this week to get mission-verified. It's great to see so many of you getting this sorted! If you'd like to help out with missions or become a coach runner, bring your docs along to the next run. You just need some photo ID and proof of address (two of one and one of the other).

See you next week! Pennie

This week 20 GoodGym-ers ran 5km to deliver 600 fliers for the RSPCA

This is THE MOST amount of runners we've had on a run in Barnet ever – not including the launch run when we had lots of tourists.

Everybody welcome GG newbie Sarah to the gang!

After a quick intro and warm up outside the Phoenix, we were off. I lead the way up to Strawberry Vale, while Freya was our trusty back-marker. Once we got there, Damian, Freya and Heather each lead a team around the estate flyering all the houses and flats we could get to. We then ran back up past the Green Man community centre and delivered the remaining flyers along the next road along.

With 600 flyers delivered in record time, using our trusty GG Barnet flyer relay technique, it was time to head back. Joanna suggested we run via the RSPCA clinic to get a photo, which the team all agreed with – meaning this week's run turned out to be just slightly longer than planned. Fab work on the 5km, folks! Well done to Heather for her fab navigational skills. I really enjoy how well everybody knows their way around Finchley – it means I never have to look at a map!

Even with the little detour, we still had plenty of time for a workout. And what better place than a nearby path of grass. Over the wall we went, fully risk-assessed of course, for a few relays in the dark. I used my running light to illuminate my face, so everybody knew what I was saying – which made me feel like I was on a stage dancing in the spotlight. There were some sprints, squat jumps, frog walks, skipping and some bear crawls – which, as far as I could tell, was everybody's fave. More of those then, for sure.

Graham then lead us back to base with Paul our trusty back-marker. Lots of ice along the way tonight, so well done to everyone for staying upright – although it was touch-and-go at a couple of corners.

Props to Del for bringing his docs along for DBS checks this week. All you need to do is bring proof of address and some ID (two of one and one of the other) along to the next run to get the ball rolling. If you already have a DBS with someone else, that won't count. You'll need to get one through GoodGym to be able to do any missions or coach runs.

And finally, the Barnet Biscuits of the week were: homemade chocolate-covered ginger cookies from Freya and bakery-made salted caramel cookies from Graham! Thanks guys! Delicious week! Jody said she was on it for next week, which is very exciting!

Don't forget we have a starter session this Saturday at Sweettree Farms at 11am. Sign up here

And sign up for next week's run here

See you soon, folks! Pennie