Nauti, Nauti very Nautical! High-Kneez are Good!...........No Shamen this task, only pride.

This morning, 7 intrepid Goodgym runners ran 3km along the coastal path at Sully Bay to help paint at Sully Primary School.

They met at Sully Sports Centre where they had a nice hot cuppa before braving the strong sea winds! Darren then took the group outside to do a warm up, which involved some jogging in a circle while performing some swimming strokes. As we were running along the seafront it is best to be prepared for any eventuality! I am sure all the Rugby players playing in the tournament nearby were confused! We were joined by Lucy’s friend Madeleine from Brighton her for her first run with Goodgym – Red lace is in the post MC Luce! Hopefully Madeleine will join Brighton Goodgym on her return home.

The route took us across the playing fields to join the Welsh Coastal path, such a pretty place to run. To our left there was lovely views of Flat Holm, Steep Holm and Sully Island and to our right some stunning seafront properties that Lucy suggested we all chip in to buy!

There was a short stop on a groyne to take some photos with everyone pulling their best nautical pose! (check the pics) As we made our way down to the shoreline (and following the swimming warm up) Madeleine said she did not realise this was going to be a triathlon! We then ran off the path up into Sully and to the school.

We were met by the Headmaster, Steve, who gave us some information about the school, showed us around and got us started on the task. The Goodgymers were assisting some of the teachers, staff and parents in painting the outbuildings. As Sully Primary is right on the sea front the buildings were to be painted with a nautical theme – with more success than our poses!

“Look out………………TIGER!!!”

As we made a start with the work, we had our second greeting, this time from a Tiger………..well the school cat named Tiger! He was in charge of qual-kitty control!!

In the time we were there we painted as much as we could and everyone was very friendly and interested in finding out about Goodgym.

It was a windy day and containing the paint drips was tricky work! Jack, Ben and Fiona worked on the inside of the buildings to avoid the wind. They sang an old sea shanty to keep the spirits up and the work momentum going! Lucy worked on some white stripes – not the band – although we could have done with a 7 Nation army to help us out! Madeleine and Martin were painting sea blue.

Everyone worked very hard and we were kindly kept fuelled with tea, coffee and biscuits. Miss Guy (aka Fiona) was very happy with her apt tea mug - “The Best Teacher Ever”. Maybe she was flashing it around looking to get a transfer to this beautiful and friendly school!

Soon enough it was time to go, we took some group photos and bid farewell to the folks who were carrying on. We ran back to the Sports centre where we did some stretches to cool down. Before we parted, Fiona pointed out the Strava route looked like Santa’s sleigh! Over to you Ben – what shape can you plot for Tuesday?!?!

After the run, Sully Primary school tweeted about the task referring to Goodgym as their “new friends” which was very sweet and touching. Goodgym Cardiff and the Vale will be back for more Group runs and maybe even Community missions.