This week 16 wonderful GG-ers ran 4.5km (ish) delivering booklets for our fabulous hosts, The Phoenix. Most were kitted in their Santa hats / outfits, with Graham even riding a reindeer. Paul came armed with extra outfits, including a Santa dress – which Hazel wore with pride.

We were joined by GG newbie tonight, Heather – who moved to London to marry Shawn! Give them both a cheer!

After a quick warm up by the side, we ran off up the hill. After about 1.5km of running, we split into teams and began the leap frog flyering. Damian took one team, while I took the other. We had four bags full of the booklets – and as ever, made quick work of the lot!

Then it was time for a quick fitness session, starting with squats, burpees and lunges; and finishing with a race to 100 step ups on the curb. Graham was the speediest, very quickly followed by Sarah.

Damian then lead us back to base, while Freya and Rupesh took charge of the back-marking.

We then did all the stretches before heading upstairs at the Phoenix for our Christmas celebrations. There were many snacks, some even homemade, and a surprise appearance from Eleanor.

Tonight was Danica's last GG Barnet run before she leaves the country forever (or for ages) to go traveling. Give her all of the cheers and the virtual hugs

Thank you all for a wonderful year of GG Barnet-ing. Next week will be our final run - but I won't be able to make it. You'll be guest lead by the wonderful Camden Paul. See you all in the NEW YEAR!

T'was the last Tuesday in November, which meant it was Shit Prize of the Month (SPOTM) time...who was to bag the goodies such as a notebook in the name of Steve Jenkins, some trolley pound things, a pen, an oven timer and a compass? Why, it was none other than task force member and good deeder extraordinaire Vix, who was on her 11th deed of the month and counting. WHAT?! Top work and may your good deeding be recognised by Father Christmas this year.

It was a chilly evening and so after some lovely warming up, we split into two groups.

Team one conducted Operation Rustle - led by Tom Benson....

A crack team of nine of us decided one task was not enough, so decided to double up our duties. First things first we busted into 4 teams and hit Brixton with loads of flyers to spread the word for a cracking homeless charity who believes everyone should get to open a gift on Christmas day.

After operation flyer was done we regrouped and all agreed it was flipping Baltic, so decided to peg it quick sharp down the road to Hillyard House to meet Julie. She had a special mission for us. In the main garden of this residential home she showed us a large pile of twigs and leaves that required moving into a compost patch. Now for technical reasons outside my knowledge, Julie had been told she was not allowed to move them and wait for someone to decide what to do with them. Well Julie was having none of that and so she may have showed us what to do and somehow all the pile ended up moving, as if by GoodGym magic. A lot of it involved piling leaves into a large pink plastic sheet and moving them that way. After we dusted ourselves down and had a group shot we hopped on our good feet and pegged it back to papas. Well done team, Operation Rustle was a clear success!

Team two conducted Operation Hustle - led by trainer Katie....

We split into two groups - those who wanted a 5km round trip to reach Brixton Youth Club and those who wanted to take the shorter 1-mile stretch down Brixton Road. Once we arrived at the youth club, we all knew what to do! There were many, many leaves to be gathered and bagged ready to be taken away. Armed with an assortment of rakes and brooms, we gathered SUCH LEAVES!

With momentary jumping jacks warm up breaks we finished the job and headed back to base for some stretches and then home for a hot shower to warm back up again!

TOP WORK LAMBETH!

9 GoodGymers ran 6-7km, delivered 150 leaflets for Syrian Refugee & smashed a fitness session!

Lovely to be leading GG Barnet again, you guys are great! The weather was getting wetter all day, thank you for coming along and doing good - means a lot.

Of course a massive well done to Pennie who conquered New York Marathon last Sunday, absolutely amazing work! Give her a cheer when you see her next Tuesday. In other news:

1. It's the last GG Monthly Drinks of the year tomorrow (Thursday 9th) in Stratford - come along!
2. There is gonna be a GG 2018 Calendar, check it out here on the facebook group.
3. GG Raceteam are taking part in Cross-Country this weekend, three more fixtures in the season if you want to join #RedThunder

Right onto to last night, after our intro and chat about upcoming Barnet missions, like this one, we headed off into the night - taking to the back streets to Muswell Hill and into the residential area close to Ally Pally. Splitting into pairs we covered roads in the area to spread the word about a new Syrian Refuge Charity in Finchley.

The event we were promoting was a Syrian Kitchen fundraiser on 30th November, a lovely local event to help a brilliant cause. With all the leaflets distributed we took a group pic before heading back into the night.

Ally Pally fun!

Running over to Ally Pally the rain was getting a little harder but of course that doesn't put off these hardcore Barnetites. Fitness session included:

• Two sets of shuttle runs using lamposts as a marker
• Squats & balancing exercises
• Distance shuttles, for 10 seconds & then 5 seconds

Always brilliant to do speed sessions in groups! After our 2km run home we stretched out and said our goodbyes. Well done all, lovely wet evenings running & good-doing.

Sign up for Barnet next week here, Pennie is back!

PB out.