11 very soggy GoodGym-ers ran 5km delivering flyers for the Barnet Funiture Centre

This week the bravest of Barnet runners came out to help spread the word about a fabulous local charity doing incredible things in the neighbourhood.

We were joined by special guest trainer Tom, the new Sheffield trainer, who lead the pack to the task with the help of Damian after a fab warm up by the side of the cinema. We were also treated to the return of Stacy, who's finally recovered from injury after her epic running of last year.

Once we reached our starting point, we split into two teams. Team Hazel took one road while Team Freya took another. In the end we covered about six roads then did two rounds of exercise before heading back to base: rocket jumps and 180º squat jumps. GG Barnet has cracked the most efficient of flyer jump-frog systems known to man.

Back at Base, Tom lead us through some very thorough stretching and we all congratulated Hazel on breaking the 100km mark this month – the third Barnet runner to break 100 in Jan. You're all bloody brilliant! (The other two being Damian and Freya.)

We were then treated to TWO sets of Barnet Biscuits. Jody made Jammy Dodgers and Eleanor made Ginger Bread Men. I'm very excited by how the group has really taken on responsibility for the Barnet Biscuit and by how fantastic everyone seems to be at baking. I hereby crown you both The Barnet Bakers of the Week. Because we all know how much I love alliteration. Joanna has promised to bring the Barnet Biscuit next week, which is very exciting! Tom loved the idea so much he'll be taking it up North. The Sheffield Shortbread, perhaps? Sheffield Sweeties. I'll leave the name of that one to you!

Next week we will be helping the RSPCA again with another run nearby to flyer. It'll be a short one: 3km total. Sign up here. And on the 14th we'll be running to the Barnet Furniture Centre in Frien Barnet to paint a wall for them. This will be a long one: 3.5km each way. Sign up here

Well done to Eleanor for bringing her docs along this week to get mission-verified. It's great to see so many of you getting this sorted! If you'd like to help out with missions or become a coach runner, bring your docs along to the next run. You just need some photo ID and proof of address (two of one and one of the other).

See you next week! Pennie

This week 16 fabulous GoodGym-ers ran over 7km to recycle discarded Christmas trees in North Finchley

This week we were joined by two GG newbies: Chris and Darren – give them both a cheer! We were also joined by cousins Maya and Preety who joined us for the starter session on Saturday.

After a quick warm up by the Phoenix we headed the 3km to the Civic Recycling Centre. I lead the pack, while Hazel was my trusty back-marker. We did a couple of run-backs on the way out, where the speedier runners zoomed off ahead to the next bus stop and back to the group.

Once we reached the recycling point we split into groups and ran off in search of discarded Christmas trees. The team did a splendid job, finding a total of four trees – one of which was was still in the net wrapping! Madness.

The group then split into groups for a sprint relay. Some very impressive speeds were hit during this section. Top marks all round!

After a few lengths of road, it was time to run back to base for some stretching and some biscuits. I brought some chocolate bourbons and Chris brought some chocolate chip cookies. Graham says he knows a bakery that does great biscuits, so that'll be next week's treat if we're lucky!

Well done to those of you who brought your docs along this week for DBS checks. You guys are amazing! Don't forget you can bring photo ID and proof of address (two of one and one of the other) along to any group run to get the ball rolling on getting mission verified.

We have a mega mission coming up on Saturday. It's all hands on deck for this one, so if you can make it, sign up here.

Don't forget about our Starter Session on the 28th at Sweettree farms. Sign up here

Well done to Damian for coming up with this week's run report headline. That deserves some applause (or cheers).

See you at next week's run

Pennie

PS. Can we all please take a moment to appreciate that pop band photo!

42 runners went to Vauxhall Foodbank to sort a MEGA Christmas delivery. Phew!

It was a MEGA turnout in Lambeth last night with runners old and new gathering for a run to the lovely Vauxhall Foodbank. They had spent 3 days over the weekend asking shoppers to buy and donate one item of food from their list and the public had been very generous. The Foodbank supports individuals and families who are in sudden crisis over a short period with food donations. Christmas is a key time for families in need and we always enjoy helping them out.

We split into two groups and headed off to Vauxhall. One group took the shorter route of about 3km each way and the others headed off on a longer version. Once we arrived, the lovely Faith gave us an intro and we got down to the sorting.

There was so much food that we ran out of crates and had to use the cardboard boxes to store everything in. Some people did some excellent labelling and others did tremendous packing. All in all it was a massive effort and we look forward to hearing exactly how much we weighed in - it must have been a record!

I wonder if we made a weigh-in record?! Wondered everyone

On the way back we ran in three groups - the relaxed runners set off, leaving the other two groups to finish weighing and squash any unneeded boxes. The entirely mediocre group 2 headed off next: would we be equal to grade C+or a B? Who knows.....

Finally the speedy group took to the streets and headed home for some stretches and a well earned dinner. Great work team and thanks for coming. We made a massive difference tonight.

18 GoodGym-ers ran 4km to help a children's centre this week

We broke GG Barnet records yet again this week with 18 people showing up to run – the most people to date (not including launch night)!

Big shout out to Graham, Lara and Eleanor who all joined us for the first time this week! Be sure to click their names and give them a cheer!

After a quick intro inside the cinema, we went outside to warm up the side road. It's always important to warm up properly to make sure our muscles and joints are ready for the task ahead. It was a nice easy run this week to Newstead, a nearby children's centre, to paint the hall. We ran 1.4km there, with Hazel our trusty backmarker.

Teje was there to meet us, armed with all the painting essentials and a box of biscuits! The team blitzed the first coat of paint in the hall in 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time for our fitness session in the back room. Today the focus was on agility, strength and conditioning, starting with some duck walks and knee tag games and finishing with some press-ups, crunches and jumpning squats. There were obviously also some burpees, because everybody loves burpees.

Thanks to Hazel for taking lots of pictures during the workout!

We then said our goodbyes and ran back to base, splitting off into two groups and taking a slightly longer (2.5km) route back. Damian and Mark lead the speedy lot back while I lead the less speedy group. Paul was my trusty back-marker on the way back, with Eleanor and Freya navigating the back roads of Finchley for me.

The run back was pretty much all up hill, so kudos to everybody for doing so brilliantly.

The Barnet Biscuit of the week: Freya's homemade gingerbread polar bears

We also had the biscuits from Newstead AND a box of chocolate fingers that my gran gave to Hazel on Sunday after a mission to clean her greenhouse.

We have two missions in Barnet this weekend. If you're already DBS checked you can sign up: Help deliver fliers for the Safer Neighbourhoods Team in High Barnet on Saturday (who have promised biscuits to any volunteers – unprompted) and clear the way for Ms D's carers on Sunday also in High Barnet.

If you're not DBS checked yet, just bring some ID and proof of address (two of one and one of the other) along to next week's run. We'll be flyering for a local christmas fair. We'll also be going to the pub afterwards for some food.

The following week will be the last GG Barnet of the year – running to set up SANTA'S GROTTO. And the Phoenix will be providing Mince Pies and wine for us when we return to the cinema.

See you next week!

17 GoodGym-er run 6km to varnish a carehome's garden chairs

This week GoodGym Barnet set a new record for attendance (not including launch night), with three brand new people joining us for our run. Massive welcome Rachel, James and Lauren who all made it down to GG Barnet for the first time – give 'em a cheer! And to Beattieand Will who finally returned!

This week a number of people hit 10 GG Barnet runs! Well done to Will, Mark, Heather and Freya. The Phoenix is giving everyone who comes along to 10 GG Barnet runs a free cinema ticket. I have the first 10 already waiting for enough of us to go and watch something awesome together! We are three people away from the first 10!

After a quick warm up along the side of the cinema, I lead the way to Dell Fields Care Home. Heather was my trusty back-marker this week. The 3km route to the carehome took us over the big bright bridge crossing the North Circular again, which Hazel and I agreed was oddly satisfying to run over.

Once we arrived at the home, we were handed some sand paper and paint brushes and set upon getting as many of the garden chairs varnished as we could in the allocated time. Everyone did an amazing job. Within 25 minutes we'd finished eight (or so) chairs – there were only two left. We ran out of paint brushes, so while most of the team worked, people took it in turns to run, side-step, duck walk and high-knee down the garden path.

We then had a quick workout out the front of the home involving some sprints, squats and rocket jumps. It unfortunately also involved Hazel ruining a very nice pair of leggings.

Freya then lead the team back to base along a different route, while I back-marked with Heather, Hazel and Phil. Half way back we split into two groups, with Damian leading the speedy group back to the Phoenix and me taking the less speedy group back. Everybody in the speedy group agreed that it certainly earned its name, with Damian ensuring the pace was kept on zoom.

Back at the Phoenix we were treated to this week's Barnet Biscuit: homemade Jaffa cakes, courtesy of Heather. I'm still blown away that these are even a thing you can make at home. Heather deserves ALL OF THE CHEERS for making these.

Next week we have a nice short run to Newstead Children's Centre in East Finchley to paint the hallways. Sign up here. It's only 1.5km each way and will be indoors – what more could you ask for?

Don't forget to bring your documents along next week if you'd like to be DBS checked – ID + Proof of Address, two of one and one of the other.

See you next week, folks!

This week 13 GoodGym-ers ran 5km to tidy up a nearby park

With the rain upon us this evening, we all gathered inside the wonderful Phoenix Cinema for sign-ins and the intro. Massive welcome to GG newbie Paul who came along to his first run with us this evening – and who acted as a wonder guide as we detoured around to our destination. Be sure to give him a cheer!

After a quick warm up along the road beside the cinema, focussing on ankle, knee and hip mobilisation, we were ready to head off towards this evening's task: litter-picking Glebelands Open Space. Hazel was our trusty back-marker, while Damian and I lead the way, opting for the dark and windy alley ways down the hill.

Once we reached Glebelands, it was time to spread out and clear the main path of any rubbish. The team did great, blitzing the bushes in under 20 minutes, with time to spare for a great photo-shoot running up and down AND a fun little fitness session running up the little hill. I think this week's photos are my favourite of all photos in all the 14 weeks of GoodGym Barnet. I mean, look how incredible Joanna's hair is in that running shot! And those prisoner pulses, which I may just have to include every week for comedic value. And the ridiculous photo of me running in between Freya and Damian – who happen to be GIANTS. I've been laughing for the last 10 minutes sorting through them. Thank you to Hazel for taking some pictures so I got to play too!

We then ran back to base, taking the straight route back up the hill along the high road. A route we're all quite familiar with by now.

Back at base, there was fist-bumping, which Dorian, who was first back after a quick sprint finish, dubbed the Barnet Bump, stretching and biscuits. I'm really enjoying the increased use of alliteration among the team.

The Barnet Biscuit of the week was: Custard Creams.

Impressively, Heather came back with the chocolate bar she accidentally ran away with last week, meaning double treats for the GG Barnet Crew.

We didn't quite make it all the way through the Barnet Biscuits this week, so I gave the rest of the packet to the man who sells the Big Issue on my way home. He was so excited about them that I may have to make that part of the tradition.

Next week we will be running back to Dell Fields carehome to varnish some furniture. Be sure to sign up to run with us!

Don't forget to bring your ID and proof of address if you'd like to get your DBS sorted. Either two letters and one ID or one ID and two letters. Letters have to be under three months old and official-like (utility bills, bank statements, doctor's letters etc).

And finally, be sure to sign up for our last run of the year on 13 December to build Santa's Grotto. It'll be good to get lots of us along, as it's quite far and we won't have as long to get everything finished. Damian has promised to bring a Christmas playlist. It'll be amazing.