A night of fashion

Firstly, a big welcome to our newcomers Katie and James, great to have you as part of the gang! Go along to their profiles to give them a cheer.

Secondly, Happy New Year and welcome back to GoodGym Wednesday! I think this is the first week in a few that I've actually known what day it is and the week feels more normal.

Tonight I thought I'd add to the complexity of the headcount by finding out what running related Christmas presents everyone got. Turns out, we can relate pretty much anything to running. Everything from a long list of running accessories to some shower products for afterwards. Tim got a PB at parkrun and did his 100th parkrun over the festive period so kudos for that and a big congratulations to Ellie for her collecting her Mr Bump certificate (2019 award for most random injury), oh and for getting engaged while she was away! Also great to have Angela back running after her injury - she's been religiously following her rehab programme and doing lots of strength and conditioning work (full marks from me).

After a short warm up we ran to Naomi House. Less than 5 minutes into our run we came across a man who had collapsed by the bus stop. He clearly needed help but didn't need 21 people around him so everyone went off to the task while Lucy and I stayed with him - Lucy demonstrating some excellent first aid skills and calling an ambulance. While we were waiting for an ambulance to be dispatched we flagged down a passing police car and got help from the 2 police officers in it. Eventually he regained consciousness enough to get himself off the floor and we were able to continue our run & join everyone else at the shop. (James and Katie, I can assure you the run to the task is not normally this dramatic!)

With apologies to David Bowie... the theme song at Naomi House tonight was Fashion!

"Fashion! Turn to the left.

Fashion! Turn to the right.

Oooh, fashion!

We are the GoodGym squad and we're coming to town.

Beep-beep Beep-beep"

There were so many great finds this evening and in the downstairs group Jen was eager to model as many bits as possible in one go including some towering heels for most of the night which did result in her trainers being accidentally sorted into the donations bag - luckily we found them again before we left. There was plenty of bag tipping and sorting and the donation pen was half emptied by the time we finished. Not too much went to rags although there was a worrying amount of underwear donated!

Upstairs the group were hanging and tagging clothes ready to go out into the shop so a bit less modeling although Angela couldn't resist a couple of the ballgowns / prom dresses! Jo also got herself a super bargain when some women's motorbike leathers that fit her came out of the donation bag... she'll be going back to buy those later this week along with Jen who put aside a couple of bits and Lucy who managed to make a purchase there and then and ran home swinging a carrier bag (or did you make Duncan carry it?).

Back at the community centre it was a five minute five exercise circuit including one that made everyone look like graceful sea birds (if you squinted hard enough), Pippa enjoyed those so much she added the arms to the squats too. Lynn was let off the hook as she was off to a legs, bums and tums class straight afterwards (keen). Top tip of the night: only squeeze your own cheeks. We were then in from the drizzle to grab one of the chocolates Maxine had kindly brought back from Belgium to scupper everyone's new year diet plans!

Big thanks to Tony for back marking tonight as the person who'd signed up to back mark was poorly and to Maxine and Jo for stepping in to take photos when I was otherwise occupied.

There are lots of other weekday and weekend GoodGym community missions coming up so plenty of chances to bag some of those good deeds and make us look great on the January Challenge leader board! Check out the listings here

Hope to see you all very soon!