Bags of energy but no i(k)ea!

Needed to be wrapped up

One week ago the temperature was in double figures and it was mild and balmy. What a difference a week makes with the beast from the east returning with a vengeance.

There was, however,plenty of warmth in the GoodGym group that trickled into Splashpoint Leisure Centre reception.

It was great to welcome both Ros and Emma back to the group together with regulars Belinda, Sue, Lucy, Paul,Gill, Duncan,Jay, Anne and last but by no means least Tamsin and Jemmie who joined us at the task.

There were apologies from Barbara who ducked out with a migraine and also Michelle who was chasing her tail with Romeo her dog ( Sorry but so not sorry for that pun )

We spent a few minutes with introductions together with catching up on GG central news before heading off for our warm up run along the prom, round the pier and back through the town to our task for this evening.

Tonight was one that I, personally was really excited about and on a freezing cold damp night , it seemed particularly poignant that all the team seemed pleased to be heading inside in the warm to wrap Christmas presents for the homeless at a hostel in Lyndhurst road.

Task of scissors/ paper/rocked tonight

We all piled in a small room which was full of Ikea bags with multiple,hats , brushes, thermals and blankets together with wrapping paper , sellotape and scissors.

The team quickly set to work spreading themselves out around the room and on the main table in the middle. Emma started on thermals, Anne and Paul with the blankets , Lucy , Duncan and Jay on the multiple hats whilst Tamsin , Jemmie, Sue, Ros and Belinda all concentrated on the large pile of brushes.

The Cutting edge

Gill did a great job with cutting up a continuous supply of wrapping paper which reminded me a little of the Michael Mcintyre Christmas sketch. If you fancy having a pre season chuckle have a watch of this (https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMcIntyreFans/videos/1684661478221930/)

After 35 minutes we had accomplished way more than we expected to and finally pushed on with a further 5 bonus minutes to finish the task in style with 5 ikea bags full to the brim of presents ready for distribution to the homeless in Worthing.

Burpees - Love them , hate them ,do them !

The happy group set off with a short run down to the seafront where they eagerly (!) awaited instructions for their fitness session.

We are now into week 3 of the challenge meaning that its 75 burpees a day . Some had saved their daily prescription of exercise for this moment whilst others had completed some earlier in the day and a few at the front end of the group were energetically smashing them out when I arrived . Jay - I'm due at the pub at 8 pm and Duncan - Why didn't I wait :) Boys will be boys

This evening there was a perfect synergy of my 2 daily November challenges. Call me generous if you like but I couldn't wait to share 5 press ups together with inch worm agility followed by 15 burpees. Repeat this 5 times and magically the daily allowance was quickly completed.

With time ticking the group ran off in about 4 different directions with just a small hardcore returning to Splashpoint for stretches.

In summary

A shorter run tonight with a slightly longer task and quality fitness session.I realise that I'm starting to repeat myself but the improvement in the quality of burpees and general fitness levels together with personal best running performances are becoming more notable every week. Well done everyone. Practice makes perfect :)

Social news - Lots of dates for your diary

Friday 30th November - Joint parkrun and GoodGym drinks at The Cow and Oak from 7:30 pm onwards.

Saturday 8th December - Paul and Johns gay mens chorus choir present 'Pull a cracker ' at the Dome in Brighton. An evening of laughter and songs infused with some sparkly spirit (https://www.brightongmc.org/) This sounds fun !

Tuesday 11th December - GoodGym Christmas drink 7 pm at The Libertine , 46-56 Portland Rd, Worthing BN11 1QN followed by a meal opposite at Woods Burger Kitchen at 8 pm. More details to follow.

Wednesday 19th December - Tamsin and Ros host drinks in Worthing town. Time and place TBC

Christmas Day - 9 am Christmas parkrun.Dressing up encouraged.

News Years Day - 9 am Start the year with a hangover parkrun

Love your fitness :)

Julia