University Challenge

We learned two very important things tonight at our GoodGym Group Run to Newcastle University Students Union:

What Charlotte lacks in patience she makes up for in resilience Rachel did the New York City Marathon! We had no idea! She kept that to herself. (the second one is a lie)

We had a University-themed warm up where we found out the Group has a massive range of skills from ex-paper boy (Peter), Computer Games Designer (Paul) Pilot - possibly- (Dan), two teachers (Katy and me) and two brain boxes from Cambridge and Oxford (Kate and Emma) with everything else in between. Brains and beauty! We said a big hello to Lou on her first ever Group Run and hoped she would have a great evening.

It was our second visit to the Newcastle University Students Union tonight where we completed tasks in the union workshop, helped out with a literary task for the NEST project and everyone's favourite, (except Charlotte) wrapping selection boxes of beer for the students union bar! We love helping out at the University as it's a super-easy run which is perfect for those of us suffering Tin Legs following yesterday's Town Moor Marathon and Half, it's indoors and we are always really looked-after. On the Tin Legs: big shout out to the GoodGym Party gate who kept Ross, Paul, Evan and I entertained on our multi-lap trek around the Moor yesterday. You were amazing!

We split off into three groups for the tasks tonight and as always got straight to work.

Group One: The Shifters Moving items from one end of the university workshop to the other. Nick obviously felt this task was a little too easy and added to the challenge by accidentally dropping a million screws on the floor. This was superb group work for everyone lifting and shifting.

Group Two: The wrappers This group were wrapping a selection of books for the NEST project which works with refugees. The idea was fab, the books are wrapped and quotes about the book written on before being given to the refugees to show you should never judge a book by its cover- something sadly they often face. This laid- back chilled task was ideal for Rachel who is weighed down by her NYC Marathon medal (did she mention she ran that?) and ideal for Katy to showcase her Teacher Writing.

Group Three: The boozers As much as GoodGym is thirsty work, this group weren't there to sample the delicious Stu Brew beer. Their task was to construct then pack little cardboard carriers with four ales for sale for Christmas time. It was this that pushed Charlotte over the edge as it was basically like a cardboard jigsaw where none of the pieces fit. This earned her the name Stroppy Knickers (thanks for this Dan) and made me think this would be a brilliant GoodGym badge. Typical to Charlotte's never-give-up attitude, and Dan and Peter's guidance and encouragement, she cracked on with the job in hand and got several boxes completed!

Jobs done and fitness session ON! Three stations were waiting for the team tonight: stair reps, shuttle runs and ladder drills, all finished off with a wall squat won by King Peter and Queens Ellen and Christina. Another brilliant evening, great encouragement and loads of laughter.

If you fancy helping at Nunsmoor Park it's our monthly mission this Saturday which will be looked after by Katy. You can sign up for that here It will be our last visit there for this year, so get involved if you can. Make your own way there and stay as long as you like.

Our group run next week is a little further so please don't be late! Sign up to help Age UK here

Happy running!