Care to party-cipate?

What an evening this proved to be. I was really excited to return to see our friends Claire and Lisa at Breathing Spaces but little did I know about the plans that were about to unfold.

The evening was always going to be celebratory one . GG Worthing's 2nd anniversary , our very own Snowflake's ( aka Jay's ) Birthday, Lucy's recent half marathon and my 100th good deed .The agenda for the evening was all clear in my head. An environmentally friendly task in support of the WWF earth hour, followed by a run and epic 100 fitness session then finishing with a social down at our favourite chippie.

Not even a record turn out of 17 people rang any alarm bells in my head. I just assumed that the lighter evening and beautiful weather had inspired nearly all my team of regulars to turn out on the same evening.

Tonights task was predominantly to shift a ton of manure from a bag to a raised bed in the allotment together with a some digging and weeding thrown in too.

Basking in glorious reflected oblivion

It was an earlier start tonight and everyone (amazingly) managed to arrive directly at the task and not at our regular meeting place at Splashpoint LC.

There were no last minute whats app messages about sitting in reception on their own or even any phone calls of 'I'm lost in Worthing' . The team were on their best behaviour .

Yet not even their 100% attention to detail rang any alarm bells, I just proudly basked in the defining moment that maybe just maybe after 2 years 2 weeks of being the Worthing GG leader that they had all had an epiphany moment or possibly even read my emails,messages or perhaps even, shock horror, found the GG website where the weeks instructions are carefully hidden!

Little did I realise that it was our task force member Belinda who had whipped them into this perfect state of union!

Task dung and dusted

Some of the the team set about shovelling the manure into wheelbarrows whilst others set about digging and weeding this secret garden of an allotment stashed away in the depths of Goring.

It was with some amusement that we observed the steaming warm manure. It drew my memory back to a line in one of my favourite films , Pretty Woman , where in a polo match the crowd are encouraged to help displaced turf but also advised ' Beware of the steaming divet' ( I digress!)

With tonights record attendance we achieved loads in a really short amount of time and still kept the light from the beautiful hue of a setting sunset. There was an electric buzz of energy and chatter too.

As the task was drawing to an end I asked the walkers to gather together and set off on stage 2 of the evening to the WLC track for our fitness session . 5 minutes later there was so much shuffling around but no sign of anyone taking any notice of my repeated requests .

'I'm waiting for Belinda who's by the car' says John. 'You have to walk past Belinda at the car John, there is no other way out so lets be on our way now ' I replied( twice)

Still no obvious move to leave .... and then a few moments later I looked around and suddenly I understood everything....

All You Needle Is Love

Oh my goodness! Coming at me were bags, balloons ,bottles of champagne and a cake too! Suddenly all the team gathered around with a plethora of good wishes and vibes for my 100th good deed .

The team had all pulled together to arrange this mega surprise with an assortment of goodies.

Rosin handed me red balloons with a 100 one flying high. Jay handed me an amazing red GoodGym wings cake that he had arranged to be made and Belinda handed me a bag with a red box in. Later on Duncan presented me with a large rectangular box with a framed canvas of our infamous sea photo from last years long hot summer and Paula a little bag with some stunning iridescent star earrings.Others handed me both written thoughtful cards and extensive good wishes.

Inside the red box John had worked his magic with a needle felt image of me in my red t shirt in a framed red wooden frame that he had also made and painted. This must have taken hours to make and I'm so touched and grateful for the time and love that went into making it.

Advanced In Cheers ( years)

Barbara had previously smuggled in champagne which I'm convinced had been carefully hidden in the manure due to its warmth! To think I thought I had control of this group and yet they managed to pull a stunt like this right under my nose lol.

Duncan and Jay popped the corks and we raised our glasses ( well actually some plastic cups that had miraculously appeared ) several times but encompassing so many celebrations . To GG Worthing being 2 years old , to Snowflakes 32nd Birthday , to all the personal and group achievements,half marathons, personal bests , good friends made and all the good deeds we have done and will continue to do and finally to my 100th which without all of you I would not have achieved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Special mention to Claire and Lisa from Breathing spaces for facilitating this impromptu party in their allotment and for joining in the fun.

To put the lid on my complete lack of control tonight I was informed that the run and fitness were cancelled and that we were heading straight to continue the festivities at Chipwick.

Whilst most of the team disbanded before I changed their minds Jemmie announced her intention to lead a mini fitness session around the green and so for those willing (or unlucky ones that hung just a few minutes too long) we had a quick 10 minute HIIT session.

Bubbles of Love

We all reconvened for a pretty lively Birthday celebration ( massive apologies to the other diners at Chipwick ! )

Roxy arrived with the biggest cake ever that one of her talented house mates had made and that which she had decorated with wings , writing , snowflakes ( No you can't eat the snowflake Jay !) and candles . With a rousing happy Birthday and one off moment of me crushing Jays knee when we blew out the candles, we posed, chinked and cheered our way through the rest of the evening.

With an amusing cake cutting scenario (competition?!) between Jay and me, we somehow managed to give every willing taker a goodie box ( pilfered by Jay from the staff ) of cake to take home . Suddenly the evening was over but I was still buzzing with the surprise and warmth from this special evening.

Roll of honour

It honestly hadn't crossed my mind that any of this would happen. In fact I only noticed it was my 100th last week whilst scrollling through GG profiles whilst I was on holiday . I really could not of dreamed ,imagined or asked for a better surprise than this. I feel so humbled at the pure joy and love that you have all shown tonight.

Massive thank you to the following ( in no particular order ) who turned out tonight

• Barbara
• Jay
• Duncan
• Lucy
• Tamsin and Jemmie
• Roisin
• Anne
• Roxy
• Ros
• Emma
• Paula
• Belinda
• John R
• Gill
• Paul
• John
• Michelle
• Nick

With huge GG love and massive thanks to you all

GoodGym parkrun ( almost takeover)

Following a very successful parkrun with fantastic support from the (almost) sober and sensible Worthing team of GoodGym volunteers a handful of us met up for the New Year GoodGym starter run.

It was a great delight to welcome our newest member Paula who will soon be modelling her red T shirt with pride. In a few short hours shes already getting a taste of the GG whats app banter ! Surely there cant be many whats app groups within GoodGym that are quite as active,cheeky and funny as ours ?! Maybe the prodigal GG super hero Beth could comment on this please.

There was also a guest appearance from Nick who led the walking group together with Barbara, Paul and John, Roxy , Michelle and Romeo.

Tis the season

Both the walking and running group set off and soon reconvened for a photo on the pier. From here the running front group set off along the seafront to Brooklands for an out and back route and the walk/runners followed until we all met up at the turn around point.

This is where it got rather spooky ! The front runners stopped on the seafront for an impromptu fitness session so that the walkers could catch us up and we could all finish together.

So, te question is, how did 3 walkers miss 5 runners doing a fitness session on exactly the same route along the seafront. The stealthy light footed trio walked right past the focused and fit athletes and neither noticed each other :):):)

When the runners finally decided that the walkers must have gone on a detour we headed back the short distance to the meeting point to find them looking rather smug that they had already finished !

Happy New Year Team Worthing

After some stretches and chatter we all dispersed until next Monday when we will be meeting up with our friendly park ranger for some outside work at Marine Gardens. I decided we needed a cruel to be kind start to 2019 with none of the cushy inside tasks that you have all got used to recently!

I cant wait to deliver another year of fitness and good deeds to you all ..... and speaking of fitness ......

The Daily 10 minute GoodGym January Fitness Challenge

I know that you have all been eagerly awaiting this so here it goes .. Its all about the 10

10 Inchworms 10 Squats 10 Burpees 10 Press ups on toes 10 Jumping Jacks 10 Sit ups

Repeat approximately 3 times to compete the 10 minutes or just keep going until you drop.

Enjoy !

Lots of love and heres to a happy, healthy and fun filled 2019

Julia xxx

Catching the light

On a balmy October evening there was a change to the usual meeting place and we all convened directly at Heene Cemetery for our last visit of the year to assist Peter,Sue and the friends of Heene Cemetery with some much needed leaf and

This walled and fenced graveyard saw its first recorded burial in 1874, and its last in 1977. It was closed to the general public in 1973. In 1992 it was designated a Site of Conservation Importance as old meadow land. From 1995 until 2008 The Sussex Wildlife Trust maintained the cemetery with quarterly cycles of clearance, and in 2015 The Friends of Heene Cemetery was set up to establish a programme of restoration. Fast forward to 2017 to when GoodGym started volunteering which has now rolled into 4 visits in 2018.

The Cutting Crew

Belinda and Michelle wasted no time in raking and loading wheelbarrows of leaves whilst Nick set about the cutting and trimming of the tree branches that had been cut down during the day.

Big shout out and a very welcome back to Roisin. Reaaly great to see tht smiling face and energy again. You get the head line pun today which I'm sure no one will understand at GG HQ :)

Gill with tired legs arrived on her bike to do her usual fine pruning !

It was also great to see Paul and Duncan arrive and pile in to the leaf clearing , barrowing, log carrying and cutting.

Don't follow me I'm lost too !

So Barbara got lost in Worthing this evening. She parked the car on the seafront and then proceeded to do a scenic tour of West Worthing and Goring streets . From her description it sound like she way well be in secret training for the Worthing half marathon in February ?! Luckily after a few phone calls she managed to find her car and got to us with enough time to spare to make up for lost time with great energy and humour despite her weary legs!

Sorry I'm a little latte

It was a complete delight to welcome Jemmie who brought Tamsin too :) Jemmie who was super keen jumped out for some quick tool and broom action whilst we were winding up the task.

Sweep success

As ever the team work worked flat out until it got dark . Thank goodness for the earlier start this evening.

Quote of the night has to go to Belinda who, whilst tidying up and looking at the huge pile of leaves , quite innocently and totally unaware of her pun, said ' Have we buried anyone under the leaves?' Ha ha. Nice one B !

We had a couple of group photos and a vote of thanks from Sue and Peter for all the help we have given this year. With a promise to return in March 2018 and a wave good bye to Gill too who cycled off into the sunset, the group headed off for the run and fitness session on the seafront ( deja vu for Barbara!! )

Gait balls of fire

With the 30 day November Burpee challenge approaching fast,pre event training started tonight.

The team started with 4 squats , 4 burpees and 2 lampost sprints and gradually increased the number of squats and burpees between the sprints until they all looked pretty exhausted. We called it a day and everyone disappeared off in different directions ( as quick as they could before the burpees recommenced! )

Top marks for effort to Jemmie who appeared to be the most enthusiastic of the whole group with some fantastic running . Trainers next please Mummy !

Roisin and I ran on a bit with Belinda towards the pier before a cheery farewell to B and we headed back through the town and back to our start point at the cemetery.

Next week we are working with Lisa and Claire from Breathing spaces. I will be in contact with the meeting point as I know they are hoping for a wood chip delivery from te rangers at May Close so that we can finish what we started there

Next social

Next Monday is Belinda's birthday so we are planning to raise a glass at 7:45pm at the Cow and Oak on Brighton Road. If you cant make the task but can make the drink you are very welcome but hope to see as many of you as possible.

Have a great week everyone :)

Julia