🥶 23 brilliant GoodGymmers gathered on a slightly chilly evening for our group run. The jury was out as to whether long-sleeved tops were needed under our GGs (although I think by the end of the evening, the verdict was swaying towards yes!) ❄️

🙌 We were thrilled to welcome back the Go-Go-Govers from their incredible travels and only slightly (aka incredibly) jealous, hearing about their adventures around Europe these past few months. It’s brilliant to have you back guys 😁

🌍 Nick started our session with a little chat about World Mental Health Day, including how GoodGym ticks lots of boxes for supporting our mental wellbeing, as this acronym shows. We introduced our Mental Health First Aiders who were there tonight (Amy, Dom, Nick, Nicky and Richard) – we’d welcome knowing of anyone else with this or equivalent training. We then chatted about GoodGym helps our wellbeing as we named and numbered off. There was a fairly even split between the running, chatting and pub elements of GoodGym (and a few people even mentioned the doing good thing!) ❤️

🚸 With that, it was time to head off, running and talking for World Mental Health Day, to Park Grove Academy. We were met by Vicky who explained our tasks for the evening. Some people (Team Tall) were cutting back a very tall hedge that needed a haircut. Meanwhile, other people were cutting back trees within the wildlife areas from which branches were shorn of extraneous vegetation to create good den-building sticks. The rest of the gang were weeding the raised beds and ferrying the weeds and spare cuttings to the compost area. It was Anna’s first experience of gardening by torchlight so we were pleased to induct her into this vital aspect of GoodGym-ing in the winter months 🌠

🔦 Speaking of which, it got properly dark while we were working, a sign of the torch-lit evenings we have ahead over the next few months. Luckily, lots of people had headtorches (and most people had remembered to charge them, unlike me 🤦🏼‍♀️)

📸 It was soon time to tidy up and gather for/co-ordinate the group photo (creative director positions may soon be available, with extra points for symmetry). Next, it was fitness. With the luxury of the school playing fields to use, we were able to do Rock, Paper, Scissors with extra running and partner-swapping. We then did the Indian snake/chain team race, where some impressive team-working skills were evident 🐍

👋 It was soon time to head back to base for a stretch before heading to the warmth of the pub/home. Thanks everyone, good to see you and don’t forget we’ve got a few things coming up this week 👌

• 🍎 Apple-picking with Abundance York tomorrow (Wednesday), 5-6:30pm.
• 🏃‍♀️🏃☕ York parkrun and coffee/breakfast on Saturday morning.
• 👻 Topping off your Saturday morning by helping at York Cemetery, with the option of a guided tour afterwards, which is apparently very interesting according to folk who’ve done one.
• 🚰 There’s one space on the water station at the York marathon/10 mile. This is always fun so do join us if you can.
• 💪 We’ve got a double-task group run on Monday. If you fancy a longer run, be ready to leave promptly at 6:15pm with Nick who’s leading the group 5k each way to Heworth Without (or you can cycle there if you prefer). The rest of us will be heading to Mayfields Open Space (2k each way).

👍 Thanks again everyone, and see you soon!