Last night was quintessential GoodGym gold. With cooler temperatures and awe-inspiring hues above, 20 plus runners did a ridiculously efficient job assisting an educational wildlife garden.

We welcomed Newham first timers Lauren, Sally (my Archway neighbour), Amy and Dave (old pal of mine who's been threatening to come for almost four years).

Random Weekly Question courtesy of big JW, "what's your favourite sports book or film?" Chariots of Fire a classic late answer, Dodge Ball, Rocky, Blind Side, The Mighty Ducks, Cool Runnings and plenty other Hollywood Hits. Bend It Like Beckham for the noughties nostalgia, The Zidane film and Icarus- an incredible true story, must see (Netflix).

2.5k to West Ham Park, and you all wasted no time getting stuck into the task. Laying woodchip down on paths. creating borders with the various lengths of log and a bit of weeding around larger plants & saplings. Beautifully effective hustle, got a considerable amount done, some superb energy flowing the ranks this week. Our man in charge, Tom, blew a whistle to signal end of play at 8pm. By that time the mulch pile had dissolved to a mere shadow of its former self.

I could sense burning collective desire to conclude the task with some core work, got to give the people what they want. 5 exercises done - 5 minutes later a marginally stronger corset of muscles. Nicely nailed one and all.

I believe a hit team of crisp munchers and pint swiggers headed over to the pub for high level GoodGym strategy talk. I'm sure they've arranged this week's parkrun location?

Next week it's over to Manorfield Primary School, and it's been a while. Sign up here

Make your weekends count, looks to be a bit cooler so no reason not lace up and run free.

Till next week

B

With Waltham Forest regular Ercole (give him a cheer - he reached 50 tasks this week!) being one of the founding members of the junior parkrun in Jubilee Park it was only a matter of time before a Goodgym take-over!

So today a mixed bunch of Goodgym members passed up on the opportunity of a Sunday morning lie-in, but assembled in the sun in the park instead - from experienced Beth to Lauren on only her second GG adventure and Sally visiting from Camden. Run Director Ercole organised the troops and had everyone lined up for the warm-up when the clouds opened up. But althought a bit of rain made some adults regret forgetting a coat/leaving it in the car, it did nothing to stop the waiting bundles of energy also described as kids, they almost seemed spurred on to go even quicker, it was great to see all of them perk up spotting the finish and sprinting to get to the end!

Like with a pair of book-ends, a second rain shower rounded off the outdoor activities for today. A quick team picture before some had to shoot off - hope the weather held up for your mission, Sally! After putting away the bits & pieces part of the team visited an until now well-kept secret, Kukoolala Cafe, to dry out and enjoy some delicious pancakes - highly recommended!

On Wednesday it is back to the normal group-run - sign up here to join trainer Ant at Mirth, Marvel & Maud for the next adventure around Waltham Forest.

A wonderful twelve runners joined me in Walthamstow as we had another cracking night at GoodGym Waltham Forest!

Having covered Hackney and Camden last week I thought it was time to come to the North East and ventured up to the wonderful Mirth, Marvel and Maud the home of GoodGym Waltham Forest!

Tonight we were off to St Mary's Church, a task that GG WF have visited before and Ant had told me that he'd left the key with one of GG WF's regulars... and so it was but unfortunately the key had been misplaced... All however was well as between myself, Ercole and Pippa we concocted a plan that would mean that if we couldn't get into the tool garage we would still be able to do the task!

We have a plan

With everyone gathered, we left Mirth at 7pm and headed out - we had a quick intro on GoodGym and the ways you can get involved (group runs, missions, and coach runs) and welcomed Ros who joined Waltham Forest for the first time and Lauren who joined GoodGym for the first time before heading off with Ercole leading the way.

It was a short run and then after a little investigation we were able to get keys for the lock-up only to find that it was open anyway! With that we grabbed a bunch of tools and headed down to the area we were working in. Everyone got to it and we did the following jobs:

• Raking leaves
• Chopping back some overgrown areas
• Litter picking
• Moving the old compost heap to the new one

Alex and Emy did such a good job raking that we ended up with two huge piles of leaves - it was all hands on deck to get all the leaves scooped up and moved before we ran out of time. Thanks to everyone for pitching in!

It was time to pack up and head off for some fitness... but the key fiasco wasn't over - now we were locked out of the garage! Ercole managed to get to the bottom of the problem and while he scarpered off to find the person with the keys we ran a quick fitness session!

Rock, paper. scissors

With everyone paired up, we played rock, paper, scissors - the 'winner' ran a short out and back and the 'loser' did and exercise for the duration of the winners' run. We went through jump squats, lunges, start jumps and the weirdly named spotty dog!

With everything eventually cleared away, we ran the short distance back and stretched. Top night everyone!

Next week GG Ealing's Olivia is in charge, you can sign up here.

Cheers,
Pritesh