DOING GOOD

It was amazing to see everyone well & smiley on our virtual Tuesday meet-up! It certainly made me value the amazing community we have at GG at the power of those few moments connection with others, in a time of self-isolation.

That was before the hard work came of course & then the real fun began!

WHILST GETTING FIT

The same format as our last Pyramid session, with brand new exercises to jazz it up! If you'd like to repeat the workout, be our guest, doing 60 seconds of each, 45 seconds of each, 30 seconds of each, back to 45 & then a final round of 60 seconds per exercise to finish you off! Here it is:

• Goblet squats with a heel raise (weight at chest as option)
• Bridge pose (weight on hips as option)
• 3-part Sit-up (side, centre, side)
• Mountain Climbers, making them as explosive as possible!

We obviously finished with a 60 hold to create that burn, this time in plank position, with a cheeky hoover-manuvre!

Thanks so much to those who joined in & if you give it ago at home, let me know how it goes :)

Big Loves x

DOING GOOD

In the afternoon as the wind bellowed and the rain came down heavy, we did each ponder whether anyone else would be at the Jurys Inn at 6:15pm... It needn't have even crossed our minds!

Fifteen hardy GG'ers were there by the time the clock struck six thirty & we were outside braving the cold, doing our thang!

Once we'd made ourselves feel sufficiently silly, it was time to do good.

We were back on ivy removal duties at the Broadway Baptist Church. With one fence (almost) cleared at our previous task there a couple of weeks ago, we moved onto another section of fencing at the side of the church. With Emma optimistically exclaiming that it would take "15 minutes!" it was now a race against the clock!

Ashley wasn't quite satisfied with leaving the previous fence with those pesky straggles of ivy, so he went back to work on the previous section, joined on the grass by Noami & Mark, who cleared up & bagged hedge cuttings.

The rest of the group cracked on with the new area of ivy removal, working methodically cutting, pulling & bagging. A few excuses were thrown around as we neared & eventually surpassed the 15 minute timer optimistically set... "the ivy knew we were coming"... "it was tougher than the last lot"... "it was older".... & the best one "let's blame the taskforce!"

15 minutes or not (who's counting? But for fact-taking sake it was 30 minutes of hard labour!) the team did a cracking job, removing most of the ivy & making a huge difference to the church grounds.

As the rain got heavier & the GG'ers colder, it was time for a group snap in front of our handy work & a run back to base.

Wait... Something is missing. Oh, Ashley's still working solo on his section of fencing!

WHILST GETTING FIT

Two run leaders on last nights task, meant double the fun. Emma led the group to our good deed, tackling the steady incline & Helen led the group back to the safety of the Jurys Inn, enjoying the long downhill stretch... bliss!

As well as our 4km total run, the team got a tasty leg workout at the Jurys using the resistance bands to practice all of the silly walk techniques - including everyones favorite duck waddle - firing up those important running muscles.

THANK YOUS

Big thanks to our lead runners & to all of you for coming out on a dismal evening to spread some GG cheer. A welcome to brand new runner Carly who along with Ellen (on her second run with us!) definitely win the prize for biggest chunk of ivy removed! A welcome back to Ellie as well who braved her third run with the Derby clan!

GO TEAM!

UP NEXT

Next week our good deed takes us to the Glebe Gardens Allotments where we'll no doubt get a little grubby again. Come & enjoy some fresh evening air over a nice accessible distance of 5km total!

Big Loves

DOING GOOD

One cold frosty night, ten runners huddled in the warmth of the Jurys Inn, dreaming of a hot chocolate (or maybe a beer) before it was time to brave the elements & step outside. As if this cold exposure wasn't enough, these poor souls were then given a circuit to complete; press-ups, squats & hoover planks all in front of the Jurys large glass front! They may have felt foolish, but their warming muscles thanked them.

And then it was time for their mission.

Katherine led the group out to Darley Park, stopping just before Cardiac Hill for Walk Leader (& injured runner) Dani & Sam to regroup. Once together, kit was divvied out, runners in pairs & the mission was a GO.

We 'plogged' our way up Cardiac Hill, to the top car park, finding quite a bit of litter - mostly of the alcoholic variety - behind the Wildlife Gardens, before heading to the Tearooms, across the playing area & over the lovely new path besides the river.

Chatting, jogging & litter picking, spirits were kept high despite a few numb fingers!

Four bags of litter collected, a lonely knight photographed & a broken umbrella rescued - mission success! Now the running was about to get serious.

WHILST GETTING FIT

The run out to Darley Park & the plog that followed meant that the group covered approximately two miles in a steady pace. Unfortunately, we were a little cold, so it was time to warm things up. We regrouped by the bridge & marked out (using lights & Sam) a lap that we guessed was about 200m, with a downhill section, a flat & short, sharp climb. Perfect.

Parlouf time!

Set into pairs, the runners took turns to tackle the lap (aiming for a solid effort of about 70%), completing three laps per runner, six as a pair.

Sweaty & heart rates elevated, it was time for Katherine to lead the runners back to the Jurys, snap our group photo & say our goodbyes.

UP NEXT

We're back at the delightful Broadway Baptist Church next week. There will be a walk group & a run group so all abilities are welcome to join in the good-deediness!

Big Loves x