Jane from our Goodgym team had signed up before we even knew about this event!

MyTime carers are a small local charity supporting young carers.

A bit from the website: With an educational approach driven by charitable action, our mission is to level the playing field for young carers by providing them with the support, friendship and opportunities that every child deserves. There are an estimated 700,000 young carers in the UK.You're a young carer if you're under 18 and help to look after a family member with a disability, illness, mental health condition or drug or alcohol problem.

It was an absolutely hideous weather day, as the marshalls arrived the rain was pouring in and attempt made to keep the marque up! Thankfully after 5pm, before the run started, there was a break in weather overall to allow the event to continue.

Let's hope the charity can put on many more events going forward!

So this is Christmas and what have you done?...

Well quite a lot actually!

We have hacked away tress and bushes, pulled weeds, cleaned windows, painted fences, mopped floors, sorted out growth in pathways and pulled away ivy. We have planted 3000 bluebell bulbs and picked litter from public areas. We have amazed so many task owners with what 10 or so people can do in half an hour and always with a smile and a laugh amongst us.

What a fantastic goodgym we have built up here in Poole!

But whilst all that has been happening something else has happened on this side that no of us knew was happening till it did - a group of people were becoming friends, good friends! We started to get the same faces week by week, the same smiles, chatting people, laughs and jokes being told. The result? A bunch of friends who now attend Goodgym Poole. June 25th was our first task so we have completed 26th Good Deeds as of tonight here in Poole - half the year of tasks!

It was just over a year ago that the role of Goodgym Poole Trainer was offered to me whilst 26 pregnant, really unsure if it was a wise decision taking on a project during my Maternity Leave especially one that involved me having to run at least one a week! Never one to to turn down an opportunity, I thought I would give it a go. Well it was absolutely one of my best decision to say Yes!

Tonights task summed up Goodgym so well. We ran to St Mary's School where we had once again the lovely head, Helen Armstrong. She lives in Dorchester and is on the final week before Christmas, but stayed on to give us guidance about what was needed. In her words - this is what she does! No wonder this school is doing so well with a dedicated head like this!

We arrived at school and the caretaker had planned for us two walls to paint, dust sheets down and paint rollers ready! As there was so many of us tonight, it was half on the paint, and the other half of the runners were great at just finding things to do! Helen found us some extra cleaning materials so the windows were cleaned down and chairs and tables wiped down as well - no guidance needed, the team just get on with it!

Expert painter tonight goes to our newbie, Jason, who was great on the old paint brush! (Great to have you along Jason

Back straight to base tonight as we had mince pies ready!

Nikki surprised us by bringing out cups and huge flask of warm mulled wine - amazing! Whilst we huddled under the canopy at the back of Daveena's, a huge sleet shower battered down, it felt quite biblical whilst sipping a mulled wine! We had a great variety of mince pies and even a little homemade flapjack from Sian to add into the mix. Thanks to Robert for the idea of mince pies on the final night!

It was kick out time at 8pm and it was like being in a pub having to move everyone out onto the road so lock up can happen. But that is amazing as everyone was chattering and wishing a Merry Christmas.

I have to say a massive thank you to everyone that has joined in with Goodgym Poole this year.

Biggest surprise was, after the run I was handed a massive bottle of Good Gin! I am really touched by the lovely words and present so thank you to everyone involved. I will say however this is only possible due to you fantastic people, giving up your time to do a good deed or two, making everyone feel welcome and creating such a great atmosphere!

So Goodgymers - go grab Christmas by the Baubles, jingle till you tingle and have an amazing time with family & friends!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It was disappointing news that our planned task of going to Pennant House was cancelled earlier in the day. Denise, the manager, informed me that residents were unwell so it would not be beneficial to go that evening. We hope we can visit again in future!

So, I knew that Nigel at Branksome centre had wanted his windows cleaned when we were free so a quick email to him and it was all arranged we can let ourselvs into the centre later on and give a good clean.

It was all under the premise that singing was still allowed as requested by Sian although I am not sure I heard her sing at all that evening!

First up it was great to welcome Sean over from Bournemouth Goodgym who had earnt extra kudos before he even started with cycling in from Southbourne. Although it was almost removed as he informed me he was only running next to me for my light - come on Sean, get your own head torch! 😉

Another new face tonight was Gayle who had heard about Goodgym from her sister who had been to one in London. Having completed a marathon in May, Gayle had not run since (😱) so bravely joined us tonight and clearly had plenty of fitness still there. We hope you will keep joining us as part of your training for London Marathon Gayle!

It was so amazing as we all huddled under the cover at the back of Daveena's to hear a lot of chatter, see hugs (usually courtesy of our lovely smiling Ali) and hear the laughter. So many of our runners only met at Goodgym and have become such good friends, it was buzzing! Even had to ask for a bit of quiet whilst the risks were given - thanks for the reminders about names and numbers as it nearly didn't happen!

Onto the lovely warm up in the glam setting of the Sloop Carpark - although we did not recieve such a great welcome from those passing through so it was onto (and Up!) North Road.

Thanks to Julia and Jayne who took a steadier pace at the back allowing another pace option tonight, only just behind the rest of us!

Along Ashley Road there was all the smells of the take aways (twice we had to endure that!) before we could turn into Library Road (conveniently just after the library!) and head down to Branksome.

At Branksome it was all hands in looking for cleaning equipment, bags, cleaning tasks that needed doing. Sean was a pro with the mop, play area was cleaned up and even the teacher in Hilary coming out as she was spotted displaying all the books beautifully on the shelves. Sarah was on the hoover with the sweepers again (!)Jayne and Julia tackling the sports hall.

As usual, we have our bunch of runners who quietly get on with any task they are given - kudos for you guys for not being distracted by photos and the baby shark christmas song - That will be you Tim and Patricia!

Window cleaning team of Melody and Sally were on it inside and out!

Thanks to all the photos sent in - Elizabeth, Patricia and Richard.

I understand there was a recruitment drive on route to the centre - Melanie we hope to see you at Goodgym Poole soon!

Robert great to see you but take a few days break now from activity!

Good luck to the Christmas Pudding Runners on Sunday - Elizabeth will storm her first 10k I have absolutely no doubt about it!

Wow - This was a biggie and it was completed with a lot of help and hard work on the night!

This was a different type of task for Goodgym Poole.

So here is the story - A local gentleman, Mr Couzens asked the council if he could plant a bluebell wood opposite his flat in memory of his wife who had passed away a few years ago. They had done this and a few clumps of bluebells had come up but not the spread he had hoped for. He asked the council if he could have some more planted but they were not able to do this. Mr Couzens was happy to pay for the bulbs but is housebound so unable to plant or assist with planting and so the council approach us at Godogym to see if we can do the planting.

The initial contact came through a runner who also joined us tonight for her first Goodgym run - Judith - who was last seen running into the darkness on the return leg with Richard who I hear was on dinner duty! Even Shelley could not beat these two back to Daveena's even though she did half the distance in her Fiat 500!

For those who have come to Goodgym before, we usually have a task owner who meets us at the task and directs us, so this was a little different and took a lot more planning with equipment and bulbs!

So first of all big shout out to the support crew helping to make this happen tonight! Lisa, who usually goes to Goodgym Bournemouth, came to the task for 6.30 so she could set up the task for us. Patricia, who thought she maybe injured, agreed to take all the bulbs, tools and lights to the task ready for 6.30pm so it could be ready for us all. Thank you for her husband for helping too! Louise, (a qualified leader) who had never yet got to a Goodgym, met a group of runners at a mid way point so they could take a shorter route. Elizabeth, collected a bag of tools from all her gardening friends, labelled them and leaving for me to collect for Pat to take to task. Even my mum's garage was emptied of garden tools (thanks mum!) Both Lisa and Louise met at the task on Saturday so we could take a daylight look at the wood as it was feeling a little overwhelming knowing where to start with this.

To add to the planning, our planned local supplier was not able to give us the bulbs needed and on Saturday it was a last minute order from Amazon Prime to get it delivered in time. The bulbs arrived at 2pm on the day of the task so it was a pretty nerve wracking morning.

Due to the number of bulbs that needed planting it was important to get as many people as possible to attend so there was three groups. An opportunity to come direct to the task for any non runners, A shorter run meeting half way and the usual group going from Daveena's as usual.

It was great to turn up after 5km run to the task, to see already 10 or so runners with lights in the wood working in pairs, planting away! Considering it is halloween this week, there was a slightly creepy air at times to see these moving lights amongst the darkness, not knowing who it was until you were closer. There was a shout from Elizabeth at one point to say, she had still not found the body, lets hope no one was passing at that point! ;) Sam, who had brought along her husband (purely to stand with a light!) was seen holding up a wriggling worm at one point giving a slightly creepy look with the light behind it!

We did have one spectator and that was from the balcony opposite which was Mr Couzens appartment!

It was very much get on and plant tonight and pairs worked closely together, a bag of bulbs between them, a tool or two and a head torch! As we got towards 30 minutes, first timers Mel and Nicki, were a little concerned they were the only ones with a big bag left! But quickly distributed amongst other runners, it was getting apparent that we would be able to finish! Last bag or so left and a handful each and 5 minutes later they were all planted! So there we have it - an empty box, bits of paperbags, a few broken tools from an over zealous runner (Lisa!!!) and 3000 bulbs had been planted!

On the side note - It was a slightly odd look to see Nicki and Judith running down the road, holding their own trowels in their hands!

Welcome to our other new runners Melody and Sally for finally making it down to join us! Kirsty, another local run leader also joined us at the task (thank goodness as meant she could take all the equipment back!). Finally one of the Poole parkrun core team members Mel came down! Bring a total of 8 new runners tonight.

Well done everyone for all efforts, it really was a complete team effort to make it happen.

We cannot wait till next spring to go back and see how the bluebells are growing!

PS: Once again my photo skills were lacking but it's dark, bulbs aren't pretty and we wanted to plant a lot of them! 😁

AKA Captain Pudwash and 1 shade of Grey!

Another new venue and task tonight!

We set off into the park for a warm up with team relays including hopskotch, skips, fast feet and shaloms! Unfortunately Pat started with warm up with us, but her calf gave out whilst warming up and she had to make the wise decision to go home as it did not like any attempt to run. I hope the principal of RICE will do the trick Pat!

Time flies when you are having fun so it was suddenly off to our local task, via the Quay for a bit of scenery! It is the first time I believe that our entire run was in the dark! Poole Park has a lovely feel to it at night, it feels calm and reflective with the lights across the water.

We arrived at Sea Scouts to Anthony, one of the many volunteers that work to make Sea Scouts run on a weekly basis. There was a clear list to do for us, benches to sand and paint - planters to plant and weed and a sweep up.
So into groups we went and pleased to see that we have many organisers in the group and even a few keen gardeners who know a lot more than I do! Robert and Tim were keen to get on and sand along with Elizabeth. It became even more serious as Julia stepped in face mask and all onto bench number 4! Jayne and Hilary were quite carried away with puns around Mr Grey whilst painting the benches!

Our newbie for tonight was Christine who I hear had been recruited by Robert at the Monday Plod - Well done Rob and tonight was his 11th run - Only the second person to achieve more than 10 in Poole! Christine it appears knows a little about gardening so took a little more thought into those bedding plants along the front so will be interesting to see how they grow! Jane and Sian owned the window boxes at the front so we can drive past and see how they get on!

Great to have Andrea back for third week in a row meaning we have a run / walk group with Jayne as well to backmark.

The benches after the sanding were given a fresh coat of paint - it was all hands in by the end to get all the benches done (I have never seen someones face light up so much over a paintbrush Sarah!)

All done - It was home via the shorterst route through town. A run via the Dolphin Centre for a quick piccy in the shop - no doubt seen on the CCTV in the shopping centre!

Sadly as we were leaving Daveena's tonight, there was a number of youths across the road in the College carpark displaying anti social behaviour. In true Goodgym style, Christine who was due to get a bus home was bundled into Hilary's car and given a lift to ensure that everyone was safe. (Police were contacted and incident raised).

Next week we head off for a task all about Bluebells - More info will follow soon!

We met in the still light of Daveenas and great to welcome back Dan (its your 3rd run Dan!) after a knee injury. Also new tonight was Tim, a regular local parkrunner at Upton! It was great to have you Tim and you worked hard tonight!

Firstly congratulations to Robert who completed his first cross country this weekend! Cross Country is something different and the field is always strong so can be daunting!

Second big shout out to Nicola who tonight was on her 10th Good Deed! (Apologies I did not know this earlier!) and is the first person in Poole Goodgym to hit 10 deeds purely from attending Poole so woop woop!

It was only a mile run to the task tonight and the inclines were barely a mole hill (disappointing for some I know!) so it was straight onto the task area and a chance to do some flying 10's in Oakdale Park. Big Hello to the Oakdale runners out there training tonight too - many familiar faces who attend Goodgym too! There was some great form showing in the flying 10's that we need to carry on creating even when going steady!

At the task tonight we were met by Lesley from ORCA - Oakdale Residents Community Association. She was all prepared for us with compost, tools, wild flowers and bags. It was 2 beds at the front and a long bed at the back that on no one has taken responsibility for in a long time judging by the site of them. The council were more than happy for ORCA to take them on and us to lend a helping hand. They were pretty high with nettles, grass and old roots. It took 20 mins for 12 runners - a lot of pulling, a bag of rubbish (inc windscreen wipers, glasses and a lot of bottles!) and 3 very full bags of green waste to clear the beds. For no apparent reason, it was an all male front with Dan, Tim and Rob all working the front borders. They hosted a huge away of spiders, bugs and insects that left everyone a little itchy at the end! The long bed was cleared with some great chatter (well it was all women!) and the perfect number of runners to clear it all away, plant the wild flowers and clear away finishing the task on time! It was amazing the difference (check out the photos!) a 30 min group can make and it made the area look so much more tidy. The beds had become a litter drop for many and this is likely to reduce as the beds are so clear now. I look forward to driving past and enjoying it!

It is a big weekend ahead with Bournemouth Marathon Festival so good luck to all those doing the 5k - If I can recall correctly it is Julia, Hilary, Jayne, Patricia and for the 10k - Ali. For both 5k and 10k (take it easy!) is our Robert!