Phew it was hot out there today! But not complaining, not after the winter we have had, its good to see a little sunshine. That said, the opportunity to work in the shade was most welcome.

The Real Junk Food Project was a late change to our group run schedule due to an unexpected cancellation, but our task owner for tonight Anna was more than happy to see us.

We were joined on tonights run by Andy Trigg from Radio Leicester. Andy is a runner himself and recently completed the Virgin London Marathon in around 4hours 40 mins (hope I remembered that right Andy) - a marathon is a marathon whatever the time so big respect to Andy for doing it.

Andy was recording a feature to be broadcast later this week - he interviewed me at length and also spoke to runners - I hope you had the odd good word for your trainer!!! - he also spoke with task owner Anna to get her take on what GoodGym does - I look forward to hearing what gets put together.

A dozen showed up and we set off for Bede park for a quick warm up on the steps - ankle strength was tonights focus. An easy jog via Upperton Rd even taking in another set of steps just for the heck of it.

We arrived at TRJFP at about 6:20 and Anna gave us the brief - general tidying and cleaning in the kitchen. Me Mel and Lee went to the cleaning store to get some water in the mop buckets closely followed by Andy getting soundbites of work in progress and our conversation about the colour coding of the mops and just how much Flash does one tip into the bucket.

In the time it took to fill the buckets the group got busy. Hobs were being cleaned, floors being swept, walls being wiped down - all sorts of industry. Thats what I love about this group, everyone just gets on with something useful.

As usual Mel buzzed around taking snaps while Andy did some more interviewing - I was out of earshot when Anna was interviewed but I understand she had some nice things to say about us. She is very keen to have us back in July so I think that speaks volumes.

Time flew and it was soon time to go so with Thanks and Goodbyes said and all equipment neatly put away it was over to Jim to lead us to Fosse Recreation Ground. It was Jims suggestion to check this out and I was happy to oblige. I had intended Bede Park but on the run through earlier the crowds there resembled a small rock concert so we were grateful for somewhere a bit quieter.

Good call Jimmy.... he has actually found us a decent hill! Methinks we shall be using that park more often. However tonights focus was ankle strength so we found a flat bit and went through a series of exercises. Standing on one leg not only strengthens the ankle but works all the little fixater muscles you need to balance. Its one you can do almost any time... washing up, cleaning your teeth, waiting in a queue etc.

we rounded off the session with a perimeter jog and a hill sprint - well, it would have been rude not to use it!

Gentle jog back, stretches, goodbyes said and all home for dinner - see you next week at the Lohana Centre.

As I promised at cool down, I shall start this report by saying I just could not believe how hard my group is prepared to work - both on task and on the fitness session.

I have looked forward to this one ever since I missed out on that dark freezing night when you mulched the Larches.

Tonight was more of the same, but this time in the light so we could see what we were doing and could appreciate the lovely surroundings.

We set off at six with me at the lead and Jim back marking - advance party (Mel) had set off for a walk about 20 minutes before.

We welcomed Serena to her second run - she is the first of our members who comes straight from from work and needs to use the changing facilities at the DMU and it was great to prove that the process works ie DMU will provide a locker key to GG runners to change and leave stuff securely - good to know.

We also welcomed back Sam who has been off doing other stuff for a few weeks but she always promised to be back and here she was. Sam is well known in the Leicester running community and has been a great ambassador for GG - very pleased to have you back with us Sam.

Arriving at Saffron Acres after a 4k jog at a nice easy pace there was the small matter of cracking the code lock on the security gate - I struggled for a few minutes then decided to hand over to "fingers" Mitchinson who sorted it in seconds. Come to think of it, did they ever catch that 5th member of the Hatton Gardens team????

We found our tools and with Michaela leading the way with a barrow full of spades we checked out the mulch pile - half the group "Team Mulch" stayed by the larches and made nice little bark donuts round each sapling to keep the roots moist and the weeds down. The rest "Team Logs" went further up the track to shift some very heavy logs out of the long grass so that it could be mown.

Stu concluded that they were offcuts from the Arc judging on how long they had lain there, they were not so much heavy but more a case burying themselves into the undergrowth. On first sight it looked an impossible job but GG Leicester were not to be beaten. Some of the grunts and screams of effort would have easily graced the shot putt circle on the Gold Coast, particularly from the direction of Jim and Sam who appeared to be trying to out grunt each other. Rachel and Serena worked efficiently together to loosen then roll away some mighty timbers and as we manhandled one particularly large piece, an eagle eyed member spotted a little frog who had been seeking cover in the shade. Careful not to squash him Jim saw him off to safety. Before we knew it all logs had been moved and no frogs harmed in the process.

Team Mulch had also done a great job - must have been 50 or more trees mulched, no one can say we dont make a difference.

For the fitness session it was a Fartlek with a difference. Runners were asked to pick a number between 20 and 90 - when I called their name they shouted their number and that was the number of seconds they had to run hard before turning back to regroup - people who had chosen low numbers were suddenly very popular but Frank and Jen - 55 and 75..... not so much!!!

Once again lots of hard effort and great bit of banter and rivalry between Jim and Frank.

I am blessed with a lovely group of people at GG Leicester - this was our best turn out to date this year and long may it continue.

Well Done All

For once the traffic gods played nicely and we had a full compliment of signed up runners by ten minutes to six.

It was great to see Jodie back with us, a late decision to sign up but always a bonus when we get more runners than expected.

And wasnt it great to be able to set off along the canal again - daylight to start, yipee! Jim led the run, trying very hard to keep Stu from running off too quick - When you consider Stu side by side with his namesake Sebastian, on the one side you have a true running legend, respected by all and an inspiration for us all to follow, and on the other side you have Sebastian Coe!!!

I started off at the tail with Lindsay.

What I noticed tonight was lots of interaction, people chatting to different people at different points - just what GoodGym is meant to be about.

So we arrived at the allotment and Liam was there to meet us - when he emerged from his campervan that is.

We concluded that he was a bit wary of us at first but the clincher was when Lee told him that he has his own allotment.... "Ah so we have someone that knows what they are doing" said Liam.

The group split into three teams...

Team top plot... Jen and Rachel alternating between a spade a shovel and some lethal bit of kit that would not look out of place over the shoulder of the grim reaper. The job was to turn over the soil and make it ready for planting.

Team tree three... Lee, Frank and Lindsay replanting the fruit trees that we had dug up at the old plot a few weeks back. I have to say they made a great job.

Team weed... Jodie, Michaela, Jim and Stu clearing the beds of weeds and roots before turning the soil and taking the spoils to the compost heap.

We have heard this comment once or twice before but Liam was heard to say "I am amazed at how much you have managed to get done" - I got the impression he has high standards and is not easily pleased but I think at the end he was genuinely humbled by our efforts. He told Lindsay and I during the evening that the allotment gets used by Older Folk from Age UK and some people with learning difficulties. Again, this is what GoodGym is all about. "Thanks folks that would have taken me about a week" was Liams parting shot.

The run back was really pleasant as it was all downhill. For the fitness session I ran through a 10 minute all body workout which I will share on the FB page but just a recap. Reverse Lunges, Split Squats, Push Ups, Hip Bridges, Leg Kick Backs (from the kneeling position) then 30 seconds of stair climbers - repeat as many times as you can in ten minutes.

With the mercury just starting to head towards chilly, some quick stretches then home - we get to do it all again next week.

Top run, top task and top company - well done all

Our Friends at the Peepul Centre had a nice indoor task lined up for us - most welcome on what was one of the coldest nights of the year.

When I woke up and saw the snow, I thought the task was touch and go, In Leicester where we take smooth with rough, our team is built of sterner stuff,

Despite the night we had a really good turnout, even with a couple of late pull outs due to illness and a shift change it was our biggest show of the year to date - one of these days everyone is going to be available and then it will be apparent what a great group we have (in case you didnt know already)

It was lovely to welcome Leigh back to the fold, and the ever reliable Nicola even came straight from the airport having spent the weekend in Tenerife. "How was it?" I asked. "Well" said Nicola "I thought it was a bit cold but then I got back here"

Jim had led us a nice quiet and safe route down from town with Katy, and Frank chatting away at the tail.

Time here for a special mention for Rachel whose maiden run was on our starter session in January. Rachel works in Melton Mowbray so thats the thick end of 20 miles to get to GoodGym runs. Thats real dedication. loving having you with us Rachel.

The task was painting a wall in a corridor leading to the gym at the Peepul Centre - the team dont take much organising, with the briefest of briefs we just get stuck in, rollers for Frank, Stu and Jeanette, brushes for Rachel, Jodie, Katy, Leigh and Lee. Me and Jim on shine a light duty and Mel as ever our resident snapper. Nic was fetching and carrying supplies and masking up and towards the end Jodie was on quality control aka "you missed a bit"

Under half an hour and the wall had been coated, time to spare so we found another area that needed doing so we did that too - GoodGym goes the extra mile.

Brushes and Rollers tidied away and spare paint back in the can it was outside into the arctic for a short sprint shuttle session.

The run back was led by Stu and Me - we set the world to rights up front - everyone else in one big group brought up the rear so we only needed the briefest of stops to regroup.

Back to base on time (for a change - oops!) stretch, applause and home - everyone looking forward to getting into the warm.

We did good tonight folks, I am sure they will be pleased - see you next time

D