17 ran to Ormiston Families at HMP Chelmsford to paint and clear leaves

A slightly chilly but dry evening saw 17 runners meet up at the University to run the short distance to the prison to help the Ormiston families clear leaves from their foot paths and to complete the paintwork.

Ormiston families are a charity who help those visiting people in prison, helping to make their visits less stressful. They have a small play area with a wooden fence around it, which we painted a few weeks ago and we came back to complete the job. This was achieved with great enthusiasm and probably looks great, although it was a little bit dark to tell if there were any missed bits! I am confident the job was immaculate and the fence is now weather proofed and all the same colour!

Whilst the painting was being completed the rest of us cleared leaves. I am not sure how they got this many leaves into the area from the trees around the site, but bag after bag was filled and the ground changed from an autumnal brown back to the intended concrete colour. This will mke access much easier for those with buggys and will make for an all round safer environment.

As the leaf collectors competed their task just before the painters, we collected in the car park and began some running drills to keep warm! Some ankle flexes, high knees and some sprints later we split into two groups for the run back. One group insisting on adding a little extra distance back to base.

Another really good session, great to see some faces return for a run and to see our regulars working their way towards a black tee shirt!

13 Ran to help Interact build a bonfire

Another fun session saw us return to Interact to help them build their bonfire for their annual bonfire party. Interact help young people with learning difficulties by helping them get used to socal situations and this is an important event for them and thisr families.

We also helped move loads of top soil across the car park to make room for another parking space. The car park was very full so this is important for them and the rest of the activity at moulsham mill. As usual the girls led the way, digging, carrying and breaking up the crates for more firewood. We were soon on our way to completing the task and even had time for a quick drink and a biscuit before our run back to base. We celebrated our first black Tee shirt to arrive in the group with Joel rocking the look! Laurie will be wearing hers at a run soon! Really nice to see so many red tee's in the crew too.

Next week I will be leading another run to help a good cause and don't forget we have our social on Thursday in the Golden Fleece!

On a dark and drizzly Wednesday evening Issy and I met in Brixton as Ms M wanted to get her garden tidied up before the winter. There was plenty of pruning to be done, Issy concentrated on a small spiky bush, I tackled a very tall non-spiky one and there were a few rose bushes that also needed a trim. In the darkness it was quite hard to tell how we were doing but by the end we’d filled 5 bags and Ms M seemed to like what she could see, hopefully it’s just as beautiful in the daylight!

One month since GoodGym launched in Cardiff... It's time to celebrate and paarrrtttyyyyy

GoodGym Cardiff launched on May 23rd 2017 and since then we have completed 7 group runs and have also started doing run missions. We've made friends, increased our fitness levels and created a massive impression in Cardiff already. We've set ourselves goals, discovered more of Cardiff than we ever knew before and learned how painful squats can be in the process!

So after our run to Nightingale House, which you can read about by clicking here, 20 runners stayed on and headed to the Cosy Club to... not get cosy with one another (or have a cwtch - to use Welsh terminology), but socialise and celebrate the clubs' successes and have a good ol' chin wag without the need to catch our breath!

Cheers m'dear

We all raised our glasses in good health to one another :D

This gathering was not only a celebration, but it was also a fond farewell, for now, to Ben and Janelle. Each week since GoodGym Cardiff launched they've been running with us. It's been a pleasure getting to know them both in this short time. Ben and Janelle will be moving to Scotland for pastures new and we wish them all the best!

All the best Ben and Janelle - We will miss you!

As this social was mid week, the jokes of ordering a bottle of wine remained a joke... however, i'm sure this joke should only be taken lightly and other socials in the future may contain another wine or two.

Craig shared jokes about cheese... what do you call cheese that's not yours? Nacho Cheese! And then Ben (trainer) mentioned about a time Lucy threw a block of cheese at him, and he said sarcastically "well, that's mature". The jokes didn't stop there.... What did the cheese say when it looked in the mirror? Hello Me! (halloumi). ((Now i'll stop before they get too cheesy)...

Just a personal note from Ben, the GoodGym Cardiff Trainer...

It's a pleasure leading the runs every week. Everyone is so motivated to get fit and use their runs to do good and I love being able to run with such a passionate group of people. Remember I am your GoodGym trainer so do ask me should you need advice with setting goals or working towards a goal you have already set yourself. - With hard work, grit and determination, you can achieve things you once thought were never possible!

Here's a secret video which, if you've read this through to the end, you will have the pleasure of watching. It's Ben, the GoodGym Cardiff trainer when he featured on a TV Gameshow about 6 years ago... Click here for the secret video!

Thanks guys! Keep running with us all - and Until the next social...

Hwyl Fawr

Blue skies, hot air balloons and a polar bear provided the backdrop for tonights run as nine cheery GoodGym runners negotiated a hot 8k up and down the hills of Bear Flat.

BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS

Our task was to distribute flyers to the residents of Bear Flat to spread the news of the Community Market that’s held every third Saturday morning to promote local food and to provide space where the community can get together and share information.

It was a four vs four head-to-head as Dora, Emma, Sam and Becca (our newest member donning her red t-shirt) took on David, Rob, Steve and Tom to ensure we covered all the households on our trusty map.

SWING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING

We resisted the urge to dash down the stairs and go recce the Two Tunnels route ready for the weekends GoodGym nominated race and instead, as it was such a blooming’ lovely evening, popped in to Bloomfield Park for a quick mid-run play… I mean an impromptu improvised Strength and Conditioning session using the equipment for core stability exercises and pull ups!

A canter back along the canal topped off with a walking lunge lap and we were back to base for a stretch out.

Thanks to Sam & Tom for our pun, Emma for back marking and to everyone for a great run and a task well done.

PARK LIFE

Don’t forget it’s the GoodGym takeover of Park Run this Saturday morning, 9am, wear your GoodGym t-shirt with pride and come represent, whether it’s to run, steward or support.

There’s a task to tackle at the Bath City Farm afterwards so sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/saturday-big-farm-fundraiser-event and join the GG tourists as they sightsee this beautiful city.

Good luck to all who are competing in the Relish Running Races events on Sunday.
Happy running everyone.