Il pleuvait !

Oh dear ! Worthing is fast beginning to loose its sunny reputation. For the second week in a row we had a rather soggy experience . Our task this evening was painting the fence of the bee hive compound. Unfortunately with the rain,this task just wasn't viable so we had to resort to plan B.

Fresh back from my holiday I was very pleased to see everyone and give a very cheery welcome to our hardy souls that turned out to brave the wind and waves of rain and who also brought lots of humour and good vibes to the evening.

Drum roll on a very special evening for tonights participants. Let's welcome Barbara, Daisy, Sue,Duncan, Lucy,Steve,Belinda, John, Anne and last but not (too) late, a rather damp Jay!

We started with a round up of the weeks news . Belated congratulations to Lucy on her 51st GG task together with John who was tonight completing his September 100 mile running challenge and also to Barbara who was completing her 75 mile September distance challenge too.

We covered all the GG HQ news too with special mention and discussion about national older peoples day tomorrow 1st October . If any of you would like to do a coach run every week lets get those documents checked and get you started.

We are all going on a treasure hunt

With the task cancelled .I explained and handed out instructions for tonights alternative plan . This was a run with a difference . A 5 mile route was interspersed with stopping for some escalating fitness treasure moments labelled 'squat til you drop'

We all started out together with 10 jumping jacks just outside the leisure centre before splitting into groups and heading out in great spirits on our run/ walk adventure.

In total there were 6 stops . Everytime we stopped the team added 10 exercises onto the escalating pyramid culminating in the following

• 10 jumping Jacks
• 10 Squat Jumps
• 10 tuck jumps
• 10 burpees
• 10 squats then up onto tip toes with arms raised
• 10 burpees

The Grand Finale

With walkers and runners convening on the track , some were fairly exhausted after some pacy running and functional moves, whilst others still had some energy left for a few laps .

We all were eagerly awaiting our two September superstars, John and Barbara, to come in for their finale on the track . They had not only achieved their individual challenges, but , thanks to a few bonus miles tonight , both comfortably exceeded their 100 and 75 mile targets. With arms lifted to form finishing arch and much applause it was finished!

Massive kudos to you both and many congratulations:)

The chipping forecast

With so much to celebrate 13 of us headed down to Chipwick for some well deserved fish, chips and, for nearly half of us, delicious halloumi which was all washed down with some very fine beverages .

We also took the opportunity to raise a glass to our very own ultra woman Tracey aka Lucy in recognition of her 50th appearance with GoodGym.

Looking great in her new black t' shirt ( take a look at this weeks photo of her! ) we also presented Lucy with a photo collage of GG memories. This included a spoof, extra touch, that John had created from 'that' photo from last week.

Much laughter, banter and a worried face on my part when 'that' photo fronted the frame instead of the chosen collage, but it was all in very good humour with lots of extremely happy vibes all round.

In other news

• Congratulations to Paul and husband John on his Barnes Green half marathon yesterday.

• Christmas party places at Salsa Viva on 14th December are filling up with only 4 left so please let me or Tamsin know ASAP if you would like to come.

• If any of you have time to give John and Belinda a hand moving the contents of their shop to home this weekend please let them know. All help gratefully received.

• Next week we are at meeeting at Splashpoint LC and then at Heene cemetery.

Lastly The October Fitness Challenge

This month's challenge is a daily strength and core challenge designed to improve both your muscular skeletal and cardio fitness.

Squat and don't stop

• 10 squats
• 10 squat Jumps
• 10 Tuck jumps

• 10 squats pushing up onto your tip toes with arms in the air

  Repeat with 9 of everything then 8 and down to zero.

Core 4 sets of 8 of the following

• Reverse lift
• V sits
• Burpees
• Russian Twist
• Scissor kicks
• Overhead extension

Enjoy :)

Julia x