Last night’s GoodGym adventure started with an unexpected twist: we arrived at the Phoenix Cinema to find ourselves stepping into what looked suspiciously like a low-budget remake of Men in Black. Black suits, earpieces, security checks… we were only missing Will Smith! (but he could’ve been inside)

I paused at the door—slightly concerned that my bum bag (delicate territory) might be subjected to a full MI5-level inspection. Thankfully, Rachel arrived, and we decided to store our high-risk belongings in my car. Enter our two brave new recruits, Freya and Caitlin, just in time for the action. Caitlin needed a quick change, which meant navigating cinema security like a spy on a mission—successfully in and out without blowing our cover. (I was asked to move away on the basis that a car might mount the pavement towards me! ! bizarre! )

Feeling very protected (by men with clipboards and scanning devices), we did our warm-up next to the cinema, no doubt confusing the surveillance team further. We then boldly stepped into the unguarded wilderness of East Finchley, en route to Martin Primary School.

To pass the time, Rachel suggested some icebreakers. We each shared what we once wanted to be as kids (spoiler: none of us are astronauts now) and played “two truths and a lie” as we trotted along. It turns out runners are surprisingly good liars—or very bad detectives.

At the school, we met Scarlett and reintroduced ourselves, along with our crafted childhood aspirations and deception-based fun. Inside the school grounds, Jon welcomed us to the orchard, where the weeds had staged a full-blown coup. Brambles, bindweed and nettles were suffocating young trees like villains in a botanic thriller.

Armed with rakes and sharp tools (yes, we were trusted with these), we tackled the chaos. I warned the group about rake safety—especially after one of my nearest and dearest had an unfortunate rake-meets-face incident that ended in A&E and a lesson in cartoon physics. Fortunately, no repeats here.

After a heroic tree-rescue effort, we rounded off with a strength circuit: squats, triceps dips, sprints, and press-ups, with a side of motivational chat on the importance of strength training for runners. Gritty, glowy, and weedless, we jogged back to the Phoenix.

The security detail was still there—possibly baffled by our return or wondering if we were all part of some elaborate distraction. Either way, we cooled down before the cinema crowd poured out, said our goodbyes, and went home with that warm, weird feeling only a GoodGym mission can deliver.

Another one for the history books! giveCaitlin a shout out on her first GoodGym mission!