Fifteen fab GoodGymmers ran 5k to help the volunteers at Northway Gardens.

Meeting at the Phoenix, we were joined by Freya for her first GG run in ages after rotten luck with injuries and Abi, who doesn't think she has ever been on a rainy group run... The weather looked like putting that to the test today.

After a quick warm up we set off with Sarah back marking and it was a quick run down to meet Brian, the head gardener. Northway Gardens are a brilliant volunteer run space that keep the garden looking beautiful and open to local residents.

He needed us to shift 30 large bags of wood chip across the gardens ready for the weekend and get to work clearing weeds from the tennis court ready for spring.

The team got to work, shifting the bags and stacking them nearly in no time at all. After that it was scraping the mould/weeds from the tennis court. First a coating of bicarb and vinegar before the team got to work scraping and clearing. Several bags filled and binned we tidied up, thanked Brian and we were on our way.

All that hard work done it was time for a fitness session.

We ran to our "running track" behind East Finchley Station and got to work on intervals. Dividing into twos and threes the idea was to pick up the pace and match our teammates effort and pace and building up to a fast finish.

It was a brilliant effort all round and from there it was a light run back for stretches and a trip to the pub as the rain finally started. Think Abi's record still stands though...

Great work everyone - looking forward to next week already.

D

Twenty Goodgym runners ran to help Stephens House and garden. (A charity Trust) The house and grounds were left to the people by its owner ‘Inky’ Stephens in his will of 1918, with a condition that they be always open for the use and enjoyment of the public. The gardens cover ten acres of land and include a number of rare and unusual trees and shrubs. Amenities include a children's playground, a pond, a walled garden within a structure known as The Bothy, and a café. (yum!) It relies on the support of volunteers and goodwill donations to keep it open and in good condition. It is the ‘gem’ of finchley. But before the task we gathered in the Phoenix lobby for a right royal ceremony, as Damian had reached his 200th good deed with Goodgym, that’s over 400 hours of community service.(thankfully all of them with goodgym!) In a solemn ceremony Damian was given his crown and robe by Cardinal Fiona. ( see photo of the coronation) We also welcomed two new runners Mike and Marie who witnessed the ceremony as representatives of their home countries Ireland and France. The royal party then warmed up outside and then set off through the narrow streets of east finchley stopping three times on route to do paired exercises. It was a lovely summers evening (sorry its February!) as we arrived at the park and met with Peter the gardener. He divided us into four teams of litter pickers (who seemed to spend most of the time in the playground!) Brick movers (no bricking it jokes please!) branch cutters and baggers. Within half an hour we had finished an equivalent days work for the gardener which was much appreciated by Peter. Before leaving the park and running home we did a warm up on the lawn of the house, a small sprint up an inclined path, and some yogic breathing. Upon getting back to the Phoenix we had a royal feast prepared by Katie and Fay. Thank you!

Thanks for coming celebrating, running and doing some good!