We like Ravensknowle Park and the Tolson Memorial Garden. GoodGym Huddersfield have run there a few times over the winter months to assist the “Friends of” group with various tidying tasks which keep the area looking good. And so it was again last night, 6 GoodGymmers set off on the 2K run to the park, eager to get stuck in to the task (and perhaps also the complimentary biscuits we help ourselves to once the job is done!).

This week’s task in the park involved removing fallen leaves from the area around the bowling green, and following the 2K run to the park we were raring to go. GoodGym regulars Chris Green, Heather Wilshaw-Jones, Kati Law, Louise Galvin and myself were joined by Fiona Armitage on only her second run with us. Good to see you back Fiona!

Brooms and shovels at the ready we were soon on with sweeping and scooping the leaves into bin bags, although such was the volume of former foliage the supply of bin bags was quickly exhausted and we had to resort to using dust bins and a handy wheelbarrow Chris found. Despite a forecast of rain it remained dry through the task, and following 45 minutes of hard labour we were all ready to return to the bowlers hut and see what treats could be found.

A selection of biscuits, flapjacks and chocolate rolls did very nicely and provided energy enough for the run back and a little bonus fitness activity beforehand...the inaugural GoodGym Huddersfield Wall Sit Competition. After a quick practice to ensure correct technique it was game on. All the GoodGymmers lined up with their backs against the wall, assumed the seated position and tried as hard as they could to blank out the burn of lactic acid in the quad muscles which this exercise targets so effectively. In the end it was Helen Wilshaw-Jones who was able to resist the pain for the longest, holding the wall sit position for a total of 1 minute 39 seconds, and looking like she could have continued for considerably longer. She did admit on the run back to having had some previous practice, as wall sits had been part of her physio rehab programme.

The run home gave us all opportunity to flush the latic acid from our muscles and the long steady downhill back to the Stadium on Bradley Mills Lane was very welcome.

Thanks once again to all tonight’s GoodGym guys and girls....as ever you all did a stunning job.