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 16 fabulous GoodGym-ers ran over 7km to recycle discarded Christmas trees in North Finchley

This week we were joined by two GG newbies: Chris and Darren – give them both a cheer! We were also joined by cousins Maya and Preety who joined us for the starter session on Saturday.

After a quick warm up by the Phoenix we headed the 3km to the Civic Recycling Centre. I lead the pack, while Hazel was my trusty back-marker. We did a couple of run-backs on the way out, where the speedier runners zoomed off ahead to the next bus stop and back to the group.

Once we reached the recycling point we split into groups and ran off in search of discarded Christmas trees. The team did a splendid job, finding a total of four trees – one of which was was still in the net wrapping! Madness.

The group then split into groups for a sprint relay. Some very impressive speeds were hit during this section. Top marks all round!

After a few lengths of road, it was time to run back to base for some stretching and some biscuits. I brought some chocolate bourbons and Chris brought some chocolate chip cookies. Graham says he knows a bakery that does great biscuits, so that'll be next week's treat if we're lucky!

Well done to those of you who brought your docs along this week for DBS checks. You guys are amazing! Don't forget you can bring photo ID and proof of address (two of one and one of the other) along to any group run to get the ball rolling on getting mission verified.

We have a mega mission coming up on Saturday. It's all hands on deck for this one, so if you can make it, sign up here.

Don't forget about our Starter Session on the 28th at Sweettree farms. Sign up here

Well done to Damian for coming up with this week's run report headline. That deserves some applause (or cheers).

See you at next week's run

Pennie

PS. Can we all please take a moment to appreciate that pop band photo!