Wowwwww the fantastic four ran an amazing 8 (and a bit) kilometres to help out again at St Dunstan's Allotments!!

It was a chilly night when 4 amazing Goodgymmers met including the wonderful Steph on her first ever GG run! We were heading back to St Dunstan's Allotments to meet the lovely Rhea and do what we do best...shovel the heck out of some woodchip!!

We started off with a nice warm up and some dynamic stretches to get the blood pumping and our muscles ready for the 8 (and a bit km) then set of at a nice steady pace. We reached the treacherous Ealing Broadway where dodging skills are tested to the max then we hit the Uxbridge road, staying in group and having a good chinwag...I learned that Martin speaks looooads of languages! Very cool!

Then we arrived at the allotments and got to work shovelling and well, I wish I had taken a before shot of the pile as 4 of us made quick work of getting all the woodchip into bags and into the allotments ready to be spread! We donned some face masks as the mulch was dusty so we looked even more bad ass. And it was quite a tough work out...squatting, shovelling, deadlifting the bags! Rhea filled us in on some of the amazing permaculture she has designed and is working on at the allotments, it sounds amazing and I can't wait to see it all in daylight. Then by the time we were done I for one was shattered! Everyone was amazing and we finished with a lovely group hug and said cheerio to Rhea then we were on our way! What a good days work.

We took a steady pace back, interrupted only by the trainline but there were some sweet choons to keep us entertained as we waited! Then it was a hop, skip and jump (by Mel) and we were back before we knew it. We did a few cool-down stretches including a nice forward fold, great for opening up the hamstrings and down through the back and shoulders (as long as there are no lower back issues) and boom! Another amazing week done. I can't wait to see everyone next week for a much shorter 3km so we'll definitely have time for some fun fitness sessions! Sign up here.

This week 21 glorious GoodGym-ers ran 2.8km/5.2km to sort through a local carehome's DVD collection

This week (the 25th week of GG Barnet) marks the largest ever number on a group run since we started (not including launch day)! Massive shout out to all the new faces this week, helping us smash our PB: Catherine – who actually came last week too, but I wasn't here so still counts as new! Ciara, Jo, Madeleine and Nadia. Give them all a cheer!

Also give a cheer to GG tourists Jessica and Emily! Let's see if we can smash 21 next time!

After a quick warm up by the cinema and several attempts at a number circle, we were off to the Hammerson care home to take on their DVD collection. Damian lead the group up the hill, while I back-marked. It was a real short run but a real steep hill, taking us 1.4km to the home. Once inside, activities co-ordinator Chris offered us water, biscuits and chocolate before telling the team the task. With multiple stations to work through, the team split into groups. Jody took the opportunity to mentally extend her To-Watch list as she sorted through the care home's goldmind of classics.

With such huge numbers we were able to speed through the collection in record time! Heather kindly volunteered to take the team photo as we posed behind our mountain of CDs.

It was then time for the fitness session. Chris let us use the rec room again, which was such a pleasure. Doing the fitness session indoors is wonderful – especially on that soft carpet! A few of the team opted to help some of the residents organise some jewellry, while a couple of the others sat down for a chat. Everyone else joined me for what I like to call the Animal Olympics.

We started nice and gently with the Inch Worm, then worked our way through several different animals, incorporating matching bodyweight exercises at the other side. Chris and Heather were the speediest of the bunch. They picked up some incredible pace on some of those animal walks. Paul requested we include the Aligator Walk (which was actually more like the Spider-Man, if you ask me) and the Shrimp – and even suggested the team all do some burpees. I love when you all request burpees of your own accord. I knew you were learning to love them! Paul also had some smashing plyo pushups, which definitely deserve a cheer!

We soon finished the animal races, said our goodbyes and headed back to base. I took a group back the way we came: 2.8km in total. Damian took the others the scenic route: 5.2km in total. Massive props to Nadia for choosing the long run – today was her first ever run! Super impressive!

Two trusty favourites crowned as this week's Barnet Biscuit: Oreos and Chocolate Chip Cookies. (Thanks, Freya!)

See you next week when we run to Archer Acadamy to build a pond

Pennie

P.S. Thanks for the headline this week, Damian!