With a long run ahead, run leader Sandy Sam tackled the introductions with the efficiency of a Formula One pit crew. We were through the essentials in record time and then we were off, out of the pit lane and into pole position, racing on to Covingham. This was our longest run so far and absolutely nobody (!!) was heard saying "are we nearly there yet?". When we arrived there were cries of false advertising as we'd run a whole .6 of a km further than the advertised distance, but secretly pleased that we'd made it!

St Paul's Church and Community Centre is large multi-functional building which is used by various community groups. There was a last minute change of plan as Just Jive use the hall and kitchen on Tuesday's, where we were due to do some cleaning. So instead we decamped outside to spruce up the flower beds which were weighed down with winter leaves.

With GoodGymers outnumbering the tools by three to one and in the absence of our trusty gardening gloves, we invented new roles of 'Leaf Transporter', 'Leaf Illuminator' and 'Rubber Glove Monitor'.

We busied ourselves with removing as many of the leaves as possible and depositing them round the corner. We'll admit to some counter-productive techniques with some sweeping the odd leaf back into the flower beds, while others were busy tackling the millions that were still in there.

Helen was having a spot of bother with her chest lamp, where it proved impossible to both sweep leaves and illuminate them with her lamps at the same time, so Tracey stepped in with her chest lamp, and full leaf sweeping duties resumed. Meanwhile, Lily who hadn't got the memo that we only had three tools, decided to deploy her infamous metal bending skills on the one and only large rake (arguably the most useful of tools when raking leaves!) and it was soon sporting a perfectly formed 90 degree bend and rendered virtually useless. The rake didn't stand a chance under her magical aura. Uri ..... sorry Lily, will have her tool privileges reinstated when she can demonstrate that she can keep her powers firmly under control.

This is the second time such a scandal has occurred - three strikes and you're out Lily Geller!

By the time we were done, the spring flowers were much more visible for visitors than when we'd started.

We're GoodGym, so we love running, really we do! but some entertainment was needed on the long run back so chatter ranged from favourite pizza toppings to favourite hair removal techniques. Stuart definitely does not shave his legs - he was asked this on account of his being tanned and the question bearer seeming to think that the sun on his recent holiday would not have been able to do that if his legs had been too hairy!?! The run back took us past Swindon football ground where they were playing at home to Scunthorpe. Eagle Eyed Andy spotted a fan who's car had got stuck in the mud. GoodGym to the rescue, and with a bit of muscle power we soon had him and his young passenger out and on their way. We're not copying GoodGym Crewe in their angel-esc car rescuing activity, honest!

With all that to distract us we were back at base in no time. A special mention has to go to Helen who ran her longest distance, enveloped in that GoodGym encouragement which we all know and love! And someone did their 49th good deed tonight! Should we warn GoodGym HQ to have a shiny new black t-shirt on standby?

Next up

On Tuesday 10th March we're returning to Age UK Wiltshire in Toothill, a run of approx. 8km in total, to complete a painting task that we started two weeks ago. We loved our last visit! Sign up here!

Twelve hardy souls braved the back end of storm Dennis to run the 8K to the familiar and a favourite venue, Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball Club for some wheelchair maintenance, touch up painting and a little surprise!

We gathered outside the Oasis to welcome first timer John and celebrate two new inductees, namely Paul and Lily into the 50 deeds club.

One ‘L” of an achievement, as the Romans would say!

The Ice Breaker related around the Magic Roundabout and what magical things brought people to Swindon and what is magical for those born and bred here. Responses, from those who moved to the town, ranged from easy access to countryside, mesmerized by employment opportunities within the council, closing of eyes and sticking a needle into a map to being near to a motorway!

Those born here were struggling to associate magic with Swindon, apart from the Town’s ability to make a lot of friends disappear to other locations when they were old enough.

We set off with ‘Safety First’ Simon leading the run, Jo back marking and plenty of good humour running in between.

With the threat of a flooded underpass we changed the usual route and ran past the County Ground, along Shrivenham Road, down Drakes Way and along Marlow Avenue to the venue.

We were greeted with a wheely warm welcome from Ben and Basketballer Wes who gave an overview of the club and our jobs for the evening.

We split, with some ad ‘shock’ touching up of the previously painted spectator area while others were given a chair, a pair of wheels, some cleaning equipment for basic wheelchair maintenance. Tracey soon found out the chairs are easier to move once the wheels are on!!

Once all the chairs were wiped, squirted and de-'pubed' we were given the opportunity to have a go for ourselves. Wes put us through our paces with a 'who can push in a straight line going forwards and backwards, before shooting practice'. The basket was not threatened, although Paul ‘the Scientist’ had a nifty ‘chair’ of hands when it came 3 point attempts!!

And then it was time for photos.

We soon realised it was easier for the group to position ourselves around Tracey, than for Tracey to reverse the 6 feet to get herself into position!!!

Next week we are heading to Age UK at Toothill Community Centre for some more painting. Why not check it out here and sign up today!

After all the rain of the last few weeks, which has left the new Seven Fields parkrun in Swindon underwater in parts, we were delighted to see the sun shining brightly this morning! Yes, it was frosty and a wee bit parky but with a GoodGym takeover planned, we knew the Ready Brek like glow of our (mostly) red tops would keep us warm!

This was the 9th Seven Fields parkrun and it was a real privilege for GoodGym Swindon to be asked to launch the pacing team and take over parkrun for the day. Together with friends from GoodGym Bristol – Melanie, Clo, and Darren, and Matt - we joined a Seven Fields record of 45 (yes, in true videprinter style, FORTY FIVE) volunteers who made sure the course was safe, first timers were briefed, and that we had a full complement of enthusiastic marshalls ready to hand out power boosting high fives, tailwalkers who multi-tasked with litter picking, funnel managers, time keepers and barcode scanners. Every week parkrun happens across the world thanks to thousands of volunteers – maybe you would like to be one? You can find out more here.

The first timers briefing on the grassy knoll was by Greg Wells, who also auditioned for the Royal Ballet, photobombing the GoodGym group photo with some very elegant (or so we were told) pirouetting. It was then time for Run Director Emma to bring her famous Lydiard parkrun silence to Seven Fields. Emma welcomed everyone to the run, including tourists and those achieving milestones, including GoodGym’s very own Tracey( who was celebrating her 50th (run, not birthday, just to be clear, Simon Sperring), Jo who was surprised to hear from Run Leader Sam that she had completed 50 good deeds, and Darren who joined the Cowell Club – he clearly likes to moo-ve around!

And with that we were off, 160 people running, jogging and walking the B route. Yes – that’s 160, an attendance record for Seven Fields, with 73 first timers. We hoped you enjoyed Seven Fields as much as we did and if it was your first parkrun, welcome to the family and we hope to see you again soon! Although it was a bit frosty underfoot, the marshalls did a fantastic job of making sure that we all stayed safe and encouraged us on our way. There was the odd bit of ice skating and a triple salchow or two – next call for some might be the Winter Olympics or Dancing on Ice? With Jo Stillman joining us for the day from Lydiard parkrun, every runner was loudly cheered home – I wonder if they could still hear you at Lydiard, Jo?! It must have worked as 25 people recorded new PBs – well done all! And, in case you missed it, though I’m pretty sure she told most people (they are very shy and retiring, the Wells family), Alex got token 106. Now it's in the report, maybe we won't hear any more about it?

Once everyone had made it back to base, it was time for a warming coffee for some while others sensibly decided to head off home into the warm. Fortunately, there were enough people around to help push the coffee van out of the mud – putting the Gym into GoodGym!

It was a fantastic morning – we loved it. Thank you to the Seven Fields Core Team for inviting us to join you, all the GoodGym volunteers, and all the runners, joggers and walkers who made it such a fabulous day. Please, please, please can we come back again soon for another takeover?