This week's group run marked the start of GoodGym's new Workout for Nature campaign in association with the WWF. Surprisingly, the campaign does not involve wearing lyrca underwear and pretending fight so we had to give that a miss this week. Instead it aims to get people to take part in physical activity to benefit local green spaces. With that in mind we made the short journey to West Bank Park to help turn their compost bins back into a usable resource.

When we arrived, a fleet of wheelbarrows was waiting, along with a selection of tools. We all initially paired off (not like that) and then split into two groups to attack the different compost bins around the park. A pleasing selection of tools was available enabling us to free-form various methods to break up the compost and get it into the barrows.

The waste compost was barrowed to a giant skip where Pete adopted the role of site foreman and marshaled tipping the waste so it would fill the skip safelt and evenly. Initial skip runs were literally runs but the weight of the compost was such that these soon slowed down to a more sensible pace. Team one kept things interesting and local chiropractors in business by pulling their loaded barrows up some steps. Team two played with a dog. Badly.

The task seemed to fly by, especially for me as for once I was leading and not doing it. We made a good dint in both the compost bins but there is plenty left to go at for next week.

After the task, we did an animal themed group exercise in the park which was honestly much simpler than everyone made it look. Wildlife box ticked we headed back to Priory Street to enjoy the novelty of a cool down in daylight.

Our last head torch group run for a while saw a bumper 26 GG Yorkies turn out for the choice of either soil inversion at Rowntree Park or prepping a flower bed at Southlands Church.

Knowing full well how difficult it can be organising a group of GGers (what is our collective noun?) at the end of a task, tonight started with a warm up which saw Ed introduce some of the exercises the gang would be doing later on as part of the fitness session. We then set off a steady group led by Nick to Southlands church, whilst Laura backmarked the bigger group which headed to Rowntree Park

After the brief run across we met Vicky at the task who had been left instructions by task owner Christine, who unfortunately couldn't be there tonight. Whilst Vicky is confident she got the details about the task correct, we're bot entirely sure that the tools were quite right as there surely must have been better options for shifting wood chip than a small bucket and two children's wheelbarrows! To her credit, Charlotte did make the most of the only full-size barrow, even if it was pretty broken

Whilst one group tackled the wood chipz the rest of the Rowntree Park crew cracked on with soil inversion at two designated areas. One proved significantly easier to get the spades in than the other so there were a few grumblings from Nikki when she was moved over to the tougher area, although her suffering didn't last long as she was handed a tiny wheelbarrow and joined in with the wood chip spreading

Over at Southlands Church....

The two groups came together at the end of the night for a fitness session (with some of the moves we'd rehearsed earlier). The workout featured 10 exercises, with 20 seconds rest between each one, and with each exercise being done for 30 seconds. Vicky was so disappointed that there was no can-can as one of the exercises that Ed caved-in and added a bonus exercise at the end. And this time we were determined to get it right. So after a quick tutorial from Leanne, everyone lined up, linked arms, and performed what felt like a perfect can-can. Although the video tells a much different story!

It was a Milestone Monday at GoodGym tonight as we celebrate some pretty impressive achievements. Earlier in the week Nicky W completed her 400th Good Deed and tonight Vicky completed her 500th!! Give her a huge cheer 🎉

We numbered off by naming some inspirational women in aid of International Women's Day before setting off to the Groves with Ed leading the run out and Abigail bringing up the rear.

At the Groves we were greeted by Tracy who split the group into 5 tasks. The first group (aka the moss bros) tackled an area of tarmac that had become overgrown with moss. Armed with hoes, spades and a broom, the guys scraped and brushed the moss and began filling up a tonne sack.

The second group were tasked with filling up the planters (which GoodGym had helped to build) with soil, making light work of a pretty impressive mound of earth. James B and Emma joined up with the earth movers after completing a mini task of their own which consisted of removing a couple of buddleia bushes

Martin and Jenna also made short work of their job which involved decorating a couple of trees with some fairy lights (and not Tracy's tobacco) before joining up with the final group who were tasked with trimming back some bushes in planters that had probably not had any attention for several years.

Once all the jobs were complete we then joined back up for a tabata style workout on the now moss-free area that group one had been working on. An injured Nick provided the most interesting exercise variations and at one point almost looked like he might take off whilst doing his version of a star jump!

It was then back to CVS for some delicious cookies baked by Vicky before saying our goodbyes

At dusk they wake, no time yet for cake. Laces tight, keep up with Jake (aka Rich). Through mist and chill, no backache shows. Their steady rhythm swiftly flows.

Each footstep sends a gentle quake. As they quickly start to rake the lake. Leaves and twigs the currents take. Drawn from depths they can't forsake.

Vicky laughs aloud 'we'll take a break'. But not just yet, no breath to take. The lake now clear, their work complete. A runner's task, both tough and sweet .

But before they're done, a photo to take. Do good, get fit, have a shake. Finally finished, trot back to base. They have done good and shall now eat cake.

p.s well done to all the Tibthorpe runner, to Paul Kelly for doing his 400th deed and to Rich for being February's awesome goodgymer of the month