We had two tasks tonight in different locations but for the same organisation. BHT (Brighton Housing Trust) provide essential services to help prevent homelessness and they had two messy and weedy yards in different locations which were in need of some Goodgym TLC.

Run Leader Helena took the warm up tonight and coped admirably with the unexpected situation of our lovely warm up space having been commandeered by Club Tropicana in preparation for this weekend’s Pride celebrations! On offering the group the options of going long with Helena or short with Tara there was pretty much an even split and those going long headed off to Hove for a 7.5km round trip to BHT Archways project which provides accommodation for people with mental health support needs. By all accounts the task was a great success and the weedy, messy yard was quickly transformed into a neat and tidy one. Gilles did some watering of the hanging baskets, Will pulled up a bush and exposed a gang of snails and no less than 4 bin bags of weeds were pulled up. Great work!

Closer to home those choosing the shorter option had a 3.5km round trip to BHTs Phase One project which is a high support hostel providing accommodation for single, homeless men and women many of whom are dealing with alcohol and substance misuse. We set to work sweeping, weeding and tidying their basement yards and even had time to give the windows a wash. Half an hour later and the yards were transformed. There was even talk of getting some scaffolding put up and doing the whole building!

We had some time to head to Hove Lawns for a fitness session where we worked on our core with a side plank Tabata (20 sec work, 10 sec rest x 8) followed by an ingenious partner workout where partner A holds a plank, thus working on core, whilst partner B, jumps over their legs and gets a great plyometric workout. Just as the group were reaching peak plank they were saved from further planking by the arrival of the long runners from Hove and we all joined up together for the last kilometre back to base.

Sadly no new runners tonight. If you're thinking of coming down, don't be shy, we're very welcoming, I think you'll like us!

Don't forget next week is our first social so we will be staying behind at our fabulous host venue YHA for a drink or 2. Until then Keep On Running!

Blue skies, hot air balloons and a polar bear provided the backdrop for tonights run as nine cheery GoodGym runners negotiated a hot 8k up and down the hills of Bear Flat.

BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS

Our task was to distribute flyers to the residents of Bear Flat to spread the news of the Community Market that’s held every third Saturday morning to promote local food and to provide space where the community can get together and share information.

It was a four vs four head-to-head as Dora, Emma, Sam and Becca (our newest member donning her red t-shirt) took on David, Rob, Steve and Tom to ensure we covered all the households on our trusty map.

SWING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING

We resisted the urge to dash down the stairs and go recce the Two Tunnels route ready for the weekends GoodGym nominated race and instead, as it was such a blooming’ lovely evening, popped in to Bloomfield Park for a quick mid-run play… I mean an impromptu improvised Strength and Conditioning session using the equipment for core stability exercises and pull ups!

A canter back along the canal topped off with a walking lunge lap and we were back to base for a stretch out.

Thanks to Sam & Tom for our pun, Emma for back marking and to everyone for a great run and a task well done.

PARK LIFE

Don’t forget it’s the GoodGym takeover of Park Run this Saturday morning, 9am, wear your GoodGym t-shirt with pride and come represent, whether it’s to run, steward or support.

There’s a task to tackle at the Bath City Farm afterwards so sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/saturday-big-farm-fundraiser-event and join the GG tourists as they sightsee this beautiful city.

Good luck to all who are competing in the Relish Running Races events on Sunday.
Happy running everyone.