SAND of SOAP and Glory

15 runners met at Oxford House, this beautiful community arts centre in the heart of Bethnal Green this evening.

We were lucky enough to be joined by Kate, the new trainer for Trafford GoodGym, who welcomed all our new runners and then gave the runners a fantastic warm up on our hotel steps. Much needed on this chilly June night.

We then headed just a short run down busy Bethnal Green Road to our task to meet Sarah, who was well prepped with three tasks: sanding corridor doors, soaping and scrubbing floors, and washing up after a big event at the centre!

Teams sped to their jobs, wasting no time in filling buckets and getting on hands and knees to lather up 16-year old grime; prepping doors for some gloss work around the corner, and buzzing around the building, gathering up used crockery at the rate of knots.

The only sound you could hear was that of the heavy rain pelting the glass roof, as the GoodGymers busied themselves with getting everything done in time for our 8pm yoga class.

And so the clock struck 8, and tools were downed: Henry Hoovers returned to the basement; sand paper discarded, tea towels wrung, and deep breaths taken as the group prepared themselves for tonight's yoga session taught by Emma Hopkinson.

They slowly made their way through 20 minutes of strength and flexibility poses, from downward dog to boat pose, lengthening out those hamstrings for the day, while also putting their abs through their paces.

And then it was nearly 8.30 and time to say ta-ra to Sarah and brave the downpour to return to our hotel and homes.

Another wonderful night. What a team. What a contribution.

This week's shout out's...

A big, big thank you to Emma, for this week's wonderful yoga class. And a big hello to our new runners Leo, Saorla,and David.

Thank you for Kate, for our great warm up, and for her wonderful contribution to our session, and to task force member Sarah for great back marking.

And a big shout out this week to our fabulous racing runners, including Tracey, Dave and Leanne, who took part in Race the Horse (as it sounds) and the Southend Half, amongst other things, this weekend. You rock.

AAAAND SAVE THIS DATE...

Our very own Olivia is running the most wonderful Community Mission on Sat 22nd July! We're so lucky to be given this opportunity to support Metro Blind Sport with their 43rd Metro Athletics Open.

GoodGymers - we need you. We need you for everything from guiding players around the track and facility, to helping set up competitions and distribute kit throughout the event.

Roll up, roll up and... SIGN UP here.

Well, that's it for this week. Have a great week, everyone, stay dry, and hope to see you soon!