17 runners, 7km, 1 new trainer

This week was a mile stone for GoodGym Newham; it was a type of changing of the guard, as I stood down as coach and welcomed fellow Beagle Andres to the GG runners circle. An accomplished runner and trainer he wasted no time in getting the group warmed up with some not-so average exercises. High knees, sumo squat jumps, supermans....yeah, I herd you all breathing heavy. Forehead down to toes all warm, LET'S GO!

Armed with a 17 strong running pack I feel like we owned Westfield this time round; we stretched out and cruised down to Urban Wilderness at varied speeds. Weaving and dodging people traffic at every turn we arrived at Urban Wilderness where the flower bed plants now stood as tall as us, the number of planters had increased and there was an addition of some pretty looking fairy lights in preparation for Autumn nights.

We split up with some of the group tasked with shovelling soil into a large planter at the far end of the garden and the rest of the group disturbing and pulling up weeds at the other end. Darkness sneakily started to creep up on us making the work a little bit more challenging, but as you know we’re pretty much nocturnal, we work all year round in all conditions, so we accepted the dark. And plus, I brought my ever so bright bike light and strategically placed it around the garden for a bit of help…. I KID, it was pretty much the smallest two LED’s known to man stuck together but it’s all I had….Every little helps and all that.

Time for the return, two groups:

• Group 1 cruised back at a comfy, aka Chatty pace, whereby they would live to fight another day.

• Group 2 went hard….It’s still somewhat of a mystery to me as to what this group did as I was with group 1, but as they sprinted back through the park with a Usain Bolt style arm drive, heavy breathing, and a few grimaces I knew it was serious.

Finishing off with a series of stretches which brought everyone back down to ’Shake Shack prep’ levels we ended the session. Whilst simultaneously contemplating what we order in the Shack. To my suprise the group said a few words and presented me with a few goodies, before I embark on my new adventure.

A massive thank you to everyone who came, and everyone who has supported GoodGym and GoodGym Newham. IN SHORT, YOU ARE ALL SERIOUSLY AMAZING and it has been a pleasure to work alongside you all

Get behind Andres once again this week as he leads you through the bustling streets of Newham, Over and out GG Newham

Kirsty