gRATifying work at Elliott House

We've been wrapped up in layers for so many weeks now I didn't realise the true splendour of seeing so many black GoodGym tshirts in one place! The sun had his hat on and at last it was warm enough to run without layers on.

HELLO SUMMER!

With many nursing tired legs following an epic weekend of running at the Sunderland City Runs for many and the NEMC 50K Ultra at Gosforth Park for a few, I thought we would be down on numbers this evening and I was pleasantly surprised as 25 arrived, happy to see Monday had come round again. We welcomed new runners Jo and Gwyneth with a couple of step-related warm ups that had everyone who ran the Sunderland Half yesterday giving me evil looks. It's for your own good, I promise! We also caught up on a lovely [mission] that Katy and Carol Anne did on Saturday. Check out their report for guaranteed warm and fuzzy feelings.

As well as giving me this week's brilliant pun, Debbie was walk leader for the first time tonight (nice one Deb!) and we gave her group a head start to head off up the great summit of Westgate Road. It was our regular visit to Elliott House for our charity partner Changing Lives where we are helping to make their huge garden a nicer and safer place for the residents. Elliott House is a home to vulnerable men in our community and it's great to lend a hand to make their garden a better place for them to hang out. We were met by Alice who is always super-organised, and got to work picking up where we left off a few weeks go on our last visit clearing out the Poly Tunnels, clearing paths and trying to avoid dead rats. Or at least that was what Nick was doing.

It was a dusty and warm job that involved a few nettle stings for some but everyone happily got stuck in. Louise found the remains of a very squashed rat while Evan sniffed out a smaller one and held it aloft for a Lion King photo. The time seemed to fly over tonight and before long we were on the way to our brand new fitness session area tucked away behind Dance City. Street Circuits were the plan and we did reps of running, steps, tricep dips and marvelled as Emma showed true skill and prowess at leapfrogs. Truly.

You are all my favourite!

The great thing about this area of town is that we are almost back at Hotel Indigo so we were home with very little grumbling from those with tired legs. Brilliant effort, everyone!

It's fantastic to see so many of you already signed up for this weekend's Community Mission - maybe because someone mentioned breakfast? If you can't make it for that, hopefully we will see you for a great new Group Run next Monday for The Spitler

Have a super week knowing you started it off the very best way.

Anji x