Tonight it was fabulous to set off on our run in daylight - what a difference it makes, with the thought of lots of summer evenings on the way.

We welcomed 2 runners joining us for the first time Lizzie and Leanne - hope you enjoyed your first taste of Goodgym.

Our destination was just a short run ( via Alexandra Park, which we may use more often in the lighter evenings) to meet up with Tom from Incredible Edible a community group dedicated to improving healthy eating, local community and working together to grow vegetables in unused areas around Ipswich.

We had a double task - to help with some painting inside what will become a community vegan cafe which is located directly opposite a small plot of land used by Incredible Edible to grow vegetables.

So we split into two groups - gardeners & painters and everyone got stuck into their allocated tasks.

The gardeners made a huge difference to the plot of land - digging, clearing and weeding the various beds and Steve harvested a small crop of potatoes.

The painters had a bigger task on their hands. What seemed a fairly small two roomed area seemed to grow the more they painted. The kitchen area was almost completed, but the dining area beat us despite our best efforts within our allocated time.

Our return run ended with a short but intense set of speed intervals under the waterfront. Great work by everyone!

Next week is Bank Holiday Monday and Goodgym will still be running - see the details HERE

Tonight we welcomed Kerry , Sally, Tom, Paul, Ali to their first Goodgym Group Run. Hope you all enjoyed your first Goodgym experience.

We also welcomed Jon Wright from BBC Radio Suffolk who came on the run and recorded some interviews for his show.

It was chilly evening and we started with a dynamic warm before taking a roundabout circuit to the Survivors in Transition Centre - anyone else noticed the route we ran tonight looks like a bit like a heart #stravaart !

We arrived at the centre and Bessie explained the task was to paint a room. With the number in our gang this evening we split into two teams enabling one group to complete the painting task and the second group to take on an ad lib task of litter picking along the waterfront.

Robin led the painting team while the litter pickers scoured the area. It was surprisingly clear but we managed to partially fill 3-4 black sacks before returning to observe the final stages of painting. We had be gone less than half an hour but there was a visible difference to be seen - amazing work as there were a number of beams in the walls to be cut around.

Two tasks on one Group Run - Surely we can claim double points on the National Challenge - and peg back the task count in the local derby with our Goodgym Norwich neighbours

We rounded off the evening with some intensive interval training. Splitting into teams of three for relay sprints. A fantastic effort by everyone .... despite the complaints about the timing - 15minutes is a "long" time apparently!!

See you next week https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/helping-at-st-michael-s-community-centre

ICE ICE B-BABY!

Yes, it was a chilly icy one out there on our group run with ice underfoot, so we took it super steady on the run out to Abbeydale Picture House to ensure we all stayed on 2 feet and had no Bambi incidents.

SANTA! I KNOW HIM!

This week Santa joined us as our Xmas back marker, festively lit up to spread Xmas cheer for all around. Great work Santa!

NO, NO, NOTORIOUS

On arrival to the Picture House we were greeted by NOTORIOUS NICK who gave lead us up through the back entrance as private screening was ongoing in the main cinema room with Sheffield based Salt Street productions.

We went all the way to the top for our brief where we were greeted by the Picture House's very own pigeon who was very calm throughout the task and thankfully did not decide to go to the toilet on anyones head during the evening.

Nick gave us the briefs and we split into 3 teams:

1. TEAM Scrub a dub dub (prepare)
2. TEAM PVA glue the walls (seal)
3. TEAM White wall Xmas (paint)

All the teams got straight to the task delivering a 3 pronged attack to prepare, seal and paint the walls to make the rooms usable in the near future.

IT'S FITNESS, IT'S FITNESS TIME!

Once time was up we headed back out into the cold winter air for a big thank you and Merry Xmas from Nick and then headed home toward the Showroom with a stop off at our fave park for some winter warming fitness which this week inc:

• Paired Arm Rows
• Static Sprints
• The Circle of Merkel

To finish off and to ensure we were not slipping on the ice we finished with a squat challenge to the tune of 'FLOWER' by Moby, squating to the commands of 'bring Sally up, bring Sally down' which at around 3mins 30s starts to burn! Everyone got the end and will be the better for it, well done team!

BEANIE BABY

On arrival back at based we stretched of and heard announcements before heading into the warm where a surprise was in store for Kim from Lilli who has skillfully crafted a GG chunky knit beanie!

Check out Lilli's ETSY Shop here

Until after Xmas, have a great break and look forward to seeing you all on the 1st Jan!

On the penultimate @GGSHEFF run before Xmas we welcomed 2 new fantastic runners into the group. Please welcome, support and cheer;

• Michelle Clarke
• Finn Burgum

After a brief welcome and chat about the soar legs in the group after the fantastic efforts the previous day at the infamous Percy Pud 10k we set off with DANGEROUS DAVE as our back marker to our task destination of The Real Junk Food Project - Sheffield, a fairly new task, but a massively worthy cause for the group to be involved with.

On arrival we were warmly welcomed into the warehouse by Logistics Manager AMAZING ALICE and volunteers.

Alice gave us a great brief splitting the group into 3 teams;

1. TEAM MARKETPLACE RE-ARRANGE
2. TEAM HAMPER, NO PAMPER
3. TEAM SORT/IS A HOT CROSS BUN SAVORY OR SWEET? IS A TOMATO A FRUIT OR A VEGETABLE?

The teams got straight to work along to the tunes of cheesy xmas music to keep energy levels high, which were also topped up thanks to some generous snacks provided by the team at TRJFPS. A lot of our runners were in the market for a Xmas treat after being hampered by yesterdays 10k, volunteering and a few bevvies at Charlotte & Carys'. THANKS AGAIN BOTH!

All teams did a fantastic job and nothing hampered our efforts. After pudding everything away, we had a big group photo and Alice gave her thanks on behalf of TRJFPS for a market down crate effort by all...

We waved our goodbyes and headed homebound with a cheeky game of King/Queen of the hill to help shift the junk from our trunks. The crown on this occassion was won by the visiting wonder that is DANGEROUS DAVE who we all wish good luck on his PHD review today!

With climbing on Wed and the Regather Social on Dec 12th after our last run before Xmas on the 11th there is still plenty of GG action to get involved in and earn those mince pies so make sure you've signed up to them all and keep an eye on the WhattsApp group for other festive treats!