Running x Happiness

11 GoodGymers made their way 7.7km to help the WAND UK in Hammersmith and Fulham.

  • Polly Skeats-Beswick
  • Catriona Sibert
  • Hammersmith and Fulham runner
  • Hammersmith and Fulham runner
  • Bexley runner
  • Justine De Mones
  • Alice Gregson
  • Rebecca Corbett
  • Arba
  • Claire Murphy
  • Tom Clough
 
Tuesday, 20th of March 2018
 
Led by Polly Skeats-Beswick

This week we celebrated International Day of Happiness by learning some new things, running 7.6km and celebrating with cake.

So we started the night off a bit differently - by writing down things that make us happy. Suggestions included swimming, doing something to make others smile and good company.

Action for Happiness says there are 10 keys ingredients to happier living.

Here how we ticked them off on our group run.

1 - Do things for others

We were delivering flyers for Wand UK. A tiny, yet fantastic charity who addresses the problems facing women in isolated and excluded communities through drop-in sessions, outreach services and networking events.

2 - Connect with people

11 of us ran together as a group, catching up as usual with how everyone’s week had been and welcomed Catriona who is new to the area, but not Goodgym.

3 - Take care of your body

Our gentle run took us to the World’s End Estate. one group even ran up the 16 floors of the tower blocks to deliver the WAND leaflets and Goodgym mission flyers.

4 - Live mindfully

After our warm-up, we tried experiencing a mindful run. For the first five minutes we ran in silence tuning into how our bodies were feeling and see where our thoughts wondered to. Tom said 5 mins wasn’t long enough.

5 - Keep learning

On the way back from the task, we tried out different running techniques. Keeping our fingers pointed forward and arms not crossing the body on the flat. Driving our arms running up hill and then leaning a bit forward going down the hill.

6 - Goals to look forward to

We talked briefly about running goals being a great aim to work towards. Having a regular event like Goodgym is a great way to form a healthy habit and stay on course.

7 - Find ways to be resilient

Running is great for many things. It actually helps lower stress, boosts mental wellness and builds up physical strength.

8 - Look for what’s good

At the end of the run, our last task was to think of something that we appreciated today. Practicing gratitude is a great way of training the brain to be focus on positives.

9 - Be comfortable with who you are

Not something I can teach on a run, but hopefully joining a Goodgym run is where someone can feel themselves - as it seems to attract such nice people.

10 - Be part of something bigger

Our run was just part of the hundreds of good deeds now being done by Goodgym runners across the country. Be it on group runs like ours, on missions or coach running.

Well done everyone and happy running.

PSB OUT.

Report written by Polly Skeats-Beswick


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Polly Skeats-Beswick
Led by Polly Skeats-Beswick

The old Hammersmith & Fulham Trainer. LiRF qualified and proud GG'er since Jan 2015. Lover of countryside running and coffeee.

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    • Hammersmith and Fulham runner

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