What a turnout! Over 30 GoodGym enthusiasts rallied together for an evening of fitness and goodwill, all in support of the Finchley Food Bank. It was a sight to behold, with both familiar faces and a plethora of new ones joining the cause. Despite the cool breeze, the sun decided to grace us with its presence, making our mission even more delightful. We gathered outside the iconic Phoenix Cinema, eager to embark on our journey but not before a quick snapshot and some words of inspiration about the GoodGym spirit.Who says it's all about running? Not us! Penny and Franky led an equally enthusiastic group of walkers, while Paul and Moya took the reins for the running squad. The runners dashed off first, blazing down the left-hand side of the High Street, while the walkers strolled along the right.In a twist of fate, the walkers and runners reached the Food Bank simultaneously. How's that for timing? Well, it turns out the runners had been making pit stops for some impromptu exercises, from paired squats to synchronized pushes. With Anna, the Food Bank manager, welcoming us with open arms, we wasted no time unloading our bounty of food donations. The Food Bank was in dire need, and we were determined to make a difference. But why stop there? Feeling the adrenaline, the runners voted for an extended route through Coldfall Woods. Picture this: a breathtaking sunset peeking through the trees as we conquered hills and valleys, our spirits soaring higher with each step. Homeward bound, we weaved through the backstreets, pausing only to push our limits with three sets of sprints and well-deserved recoveries. As the night drew to a close, we reconvened at the Phoenix for some much-needed stretches, basking in the warmth of camaraderie and accomplishment. Until next time, Finchley Food Bank - you can count on us! Keep on running, walking, and spreading the GoodGym love!

Great to meet Tan & Tom on their first group run with Barnet.

4 GoodGymers Rachel, Yesika, Kubilay and Moya braved the drizzling rain to run 3km to our local Tiny Forest, providing a haven of carbon capture growth and wildlife habitat next to the north circular road. This was the first run after the clocks had gone forwards, giving some welcome evening light on the way there, and to explore the forest. It was lovely to see the young green leaves starting to cover the trees. We decided to tackle some of the weeds starting to take over the lower areas (which I remember from experience get very big after a summer's growth!) - pulling out thistles, dandelions and some dock, especially around the base of the young trees, and to give other plants a chance to establish themselves. Kubilay definitely won the award for the most impressive roots extraction - all without implements!

We then all made our way back to the Phoenix cinema, running through puddles and getting a lot wetter in the process, clocking up a respectable 6km in total. We're looking forward to checking up on the Tiny Forest to see how it develops over the next few months.