and so does Worthing GoodGym. 14 goodgymers volunteered to support the 692 parkrun finishers as March arrived bringing with it the feeling that spring may actually be here.

It’s a set up

Sue A, under the close supervision of John, arrived nice and early to help with set up. Poles hammered in, rope and tape installed, it was time for Sue to cast her GoodGym top aside and display her running club allegiance.

Showing the way

There were three GoodGym Marshals out on the course. Ricky found a position along the prom to cheer and support the runners. Paula and Barbara were given bright yellow signs to take out marshalling, basically warning the general public to exercise caution in their vicinity.

Ropey start

No, not Belinda’s RD missive. John P, Daisy, Anne and Sue held the rope that separates parkrunners from those who haven’t found parkrun yet!

Run director, run

It was reported that Belinda’s dulcet tones could be heard from quite a distance away today. It was just at the start she couldn’t be heard due to the constant chat of eager parkrunners who feel they’ve ‘heard it all before’. Belinda took the opportunity to share all about GoodGym and how it contributes to the local community, as well as having fun and getting fit. There was a special shoutout to John P who was volunteering at parkrun for the 25th time. Although not a GoodGymer, we are all very fond of John P. We only have as many socials in the pub as we do because then we get to see John P who is often tempted along to join us.

More than a token gesture

Belinda took the opportunity to spread concern by encouraging Anne in her belief that the tokens may run out. Frankly, we’ve no idea why Anne was concerned - surely if they did run out she would be quick enough to catch up!

As time goes by

One of our elder statesmen, Paul, oversaw the finish line. Clicking his ticker at every passing pair of feet.

Funnel

There was no ducking responsibility for Sue W on funnel management, and no funnel ducking allowed. There is a perverse pleasure in watching an exhausted runner stagger over the finish line to be told to keep on moving through the never-ending funnel created earlier by John and Sue A.

Breaking the Barcode

Roxy, who took a pause in her long, long, run attended the Daisy school of barcode scanning in order to be ready for the steady onslaught of runners finish tokens being thrust eagerly towards them.

Run baby, run….

Sue A, Ryan, Sarah and Craig who ran as well as volunteering were joined on the course by Jay with his juggernaut, Olivia filled, buggy. Gill, as often happens, ran amongst the throng chatting with her running pals.

Post event clowning

As usual when Sarah, Ryan and Craig contribute to closedown they turned the finish area into their own personal playground. No flagfighting this time, just competitive banner folding. Who won? There is no result, the banner remains unfolded.

Taking the biscuit

Results were processed supported by hot chocolate and biscuits. John and Ricky were happy to take responsibility for biscuit demolition whilst Belinda ensured the 692 runners got their correct times.

Half the battle

Our local parkrun is finding it increasingly difficult to fill the roster each week. On a normal Saturday (that is, one that doesn’t happen to be pre half marathon rest day for many) with 14 GoodGymers we would have filled half the roster. Let’s see if we can do even better next month. And don’t forget, parkrun volunteering isn’t just available on our monthly GoodGym promotion occasions.

Last minute change of plan

With the recent rain and subsequent water logged ground I needed to have a change of plan to the original one so we headed to Goring Gap to carry out a litter pick. This is always a great back up plan as, sadly there is always so much litter strewn all over this popular area.

Despite the change of location , I was so grateful for the turn out tonight. Thank you to my team - Paul, Sarah, El, Paula,Ricky, Ryan, Mel and Paul.

We split into two teams so that we weren't all following the same litter trail. Paul disappeared directly into the bushes near where we had parked and proceeded to almost fill a bin liner with discarded cans and bottles. Sad but true.

Paula, Paul,Mel Ryan headed off to do the top end of the task with Ricky in pursuit.

El and I worked as a team and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves chatting and alternating with a huge amount of litter picking. We joined up with Paul and although there was still litter everywhere we had to stop 'seeing' it as our bags were full to bursting !

We will return as there is still loads to do !

Have a great week. Special mention to Mel doing her first half marathon at Brighton on Sunday together with Paul who will hopefully be doing it if he gets better in time. Lets hoe the weather is kind and that we get the sun shining !

Hope to see you all soon.

Julia xx

Thank goodness its February

January is always a long month and today we saw a glimmer of hope for longer days with the daylight stretching out just a tiny bit at both ends.

However ,January wasn't all bad! GG Worthing had the most successful challenge month we had ever had ! I had set challenging targets for both tasks and distance ( 65 good deeds and 2500 km) but we managed to plough on through both ending on a scintillating 99 and 2746 respectively. Many congratulations and thank you to each and every one of you that contributed your time and effort. I'm so proud of our achievements 😇❤️

Byron Road

Turning Tides, our local homeless charity offer a hostel at Byron Road and had requested we do a tidy up of the front garden.

Tonight the group split into two groups with Paul Megan and Sarah heading down to the prom for some fitness and JohnAnneRoxyRyan and Paula cracking on with the task. Special welcome back to Paula - we are so pleased you have returned to your GG family 😀

The fitness team did a combination of sprint drills and functional moves to support running - I absolutely know that Paulis going to be taking my name in vain when he wakes up in the morning for his Tuesday bike ride 😅 Both Sarah and Megan and Paul, all agreed that the interval training is not something they would do on their own so if you fancy getting some training in then come along on a Monday evening!

We returned to pitch in with the tidy up where we filled 4 bags of debris. There was pruning , lots of sweeping , weeding and general debris in the bags which Paula and I subsequently dropped off at the seafront bins where the refuse team will pick them up.

Photos done - thank you to Johns phone, we all headed back to our snug homes! I can't wait for light evenings again ☀️

It’s my life

We all know a runner can never have enough kit, just not enough space to store it all. A runners wardrobe, bursting at the seams, can act like a personal museum of their running journey. Memories of the ups, and the downs. Showing the shape we were, the shape we want to be. Helping us to hold on to our aims and aspirations, remembering where we started and hinting at where we’d like to be.

Just lace up and run

Running is popular due to its simplicity, accessibility, health benefits, and the ability to fit into various lifestyles and fitness levels. It has often been said that at its simplest running is the cheapest way to get fit. Just lace up and run. But not everyone is in the position to be able to access even the most basic of kit.

Community Support

Who better to approach to support disadvantaged groups being able to participate in physical activity than those who both value exercise, and support their communities. GoodGymers never disappoint. 190 items (literally enabling kitting out from head to toe) have been donated, all of which have sufficient life and wear in them to support someone starting out on their fitness journey.

And come on, own up, who has already got their eye on replacements to fill those wardrobe gaps!