Pun credited to: Michael

And just like that we've reached the end of 2021....at least for GoodGym Southwark Group Runs. It was very fitting to have ten GoodGymers from those joining their first Group Run (Claire and Lucy) to dare I say it, veterans (Anna and Emily). We all met inside the warmer than usual Old Spike Roastery with the smell of coffee giving us that all essential boost of caffeine. After the customary GoodGym speech, announcing milestones (yes, it was my 600th...) and letting everyone know what is happening in Southwark for the festive season, we locked up and dash over to the green for a festive warm-up - The 12 Days of Exercise (Chorus only 😉). It involved 12 jumping jacks, 11 squats, 10 lunges, 9 seconds of high knees, 8 seconds of butt flicks, 7 push ups, 6 mountain climbers, 5 GOLDEN RINGS (ab crunches), 4 big jumps, 3 hip bridges, 2 side plank dips (on each side) and 1 burpee (in a pear tree...optional)! After the mini HIIT / warm-up session, we were good to go! Yet, not before our ice-breaker question: What are you looking forward to this Christmas / Christmas Day traditions?

We had from the likes of Christmas walks, peeling potatoes and cooking the meal to opening up presents, spending time with the family and eating Nan's sausages....👀😂

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Christmas Elves

At the traffic lights, the group split up into two - Nathan led Adam, Emily, Lindy and Michael to Get Rid Of And Donate (GROAD) on a 2.5k run to St. Faith's Community Centre to assist Andrea with packing donated toys to local schools/kids. Sam led Anna and Emma on the shorter 2k run around Peckham Rye Park and into Nunhead to the Salvation Army to sort out donated books in their makeshift book shop. Claire and Lucy were long gone at this point, opting to walk the 1k route to Salvation Army Nunhead as they came straight from work.

If it looks damaged we're recycling them - Polis

Whilst Nathan's team were busy packing away 40+ bags of toys, Sam, Anna, Emma, Claire and Lucy were enjoying Polis' company as he explained the task, which at first confused Sam and Emma as it almost seemed like they were doing the opposite of the time they helped the Salvation Army back in November. However, it was to inspect the books and if they were damaged they were to be thrown away and the good ones that could not be displayed would be stored in cardboard boxes. The 45 minute task vanished in an instant with the help of some cheesy Christmas music to inspecting/being distracted by interesting book (and book titles). By the end of the session, Anna had a little stash of books for herself to give to others for their Christmas gifts. Christmas sorted for FREE!

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But wait - there’s myrrh

It doesn't take a lot to convince GoodGymers to stay for the Christmas Social 🙄 Free pizza? Gifts to be won?

Crossing the road, we made it to a nearly empty Voodoo Ray's, which was great given the circumstance that we're in. We were there for more than a slice of pizza...ordering a 22" Vegan Margherita and 3 x 12" vegan and vegetarian pizzas. With beer, water and the conversation flowing, it was bound to be a great night 🙃

After we polished off the last slices of pizza and had our drinks topped up, it was time for Sam-ta's Spectacular Quiz of the Year! A 20 question quiz (5 x Christmas, 5 x 2021, 5 x GoodGym and 5 x Pick N Mix General Knowledge questions) to determine who picks the first, second, third and so on gifts from the goodie bag Sam brought. There were questions about the most streamed Christmas song, Alpacas, how old is GoodGym and what's in a Long Island Ice Tea to name a few... Anna came up on top (19 out of 26), Lindy (15), Emily (13), Nathan (13), Adam (12.5), Emma (11), Lucy (10), Claire (9) and Michael (8) received one of these gifts:

• A book that features Thorland Garden
• Mindfulness book
• Card game
• Gardening gloves x 4
• Running gloves
• Headtorch x 2
• Coffee from Old Spike Roaster

There were also special shoutouts and gifts to Emma and Adam for being a constant presence in the GoodGym Southwark community. Thank you!

Thank you to all for an amazing night! It was a well deserved treat for all that you have done this past year. It doesn't take a lot to say "Thank You", but it can amplify a million miles away! Have a lovely festive break and stay safe!

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Thank You Polis (Salvation Army Nunhead) and Andrea (GROAD)

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owners and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Polis and Andrea for all that you do to keep the community and humanity going. From everyone at GoodGym Southwark, we wish you a Merry Christmas!