Eight runners met up at the Queensbury for the short run down to Willesden Green's former police station-cum-community hub in the making to brush up on their painting skills.

We welcomed Lucas to his first GG run, and Simon who was out doing a bit of GG tourism for the evening - and seems to have bagged most of the boroughs already! They were joined by Simon H, Tabitha, Debbie, Coralie, Liz, and deputy run leader Claire, who all already had an idea of what was in store...

We were met by Colin with his usual bags of energy - despite claiming to be knackered, he still managed to get us all tooled up, find lights, find power sources for said lights, show us what to do, not trip on any cables, and all whilst regaling us with fantastic and incredible stories of parties to end all parties... and probably managed to apply more paint to walls than the eight of us put together!

We rolled up our sleeves and got out the rollers, brushes and trays and set to work to transform the indoor space into a symphony of white and orange - seriously, our painting and decorating talents are wasted in our day jobs!! We left, paint spattered but happy to see how the place is evolving, it is almost unrecognisable from our first visits here a few months back, especially the beautiful gardens. It gave us a warm glow inside to think that we had contributed a bit to this transformation. Inspirational!

A wee run back up the hill to the pub, with a few stretches, and off home to wash paint out of our hair, aaah....

Thanks everyone!!

An amazing 8 braved the weather to run 5k all the way from Willesden to Wembley and can...Someone call the 'Plum-ererrr, we got flushed out!!

It was a wet and wild time down at Wembley community orchard for our tasking this week!! Thinking we'd been super clever and managed to dodge the downpour we arrived at our lovely hosts with 40mins to gift, after powering down the route in 35mins flat!! Oh yes, expect.... it was not all flat oh no... the route had us beasting off not one but TWO epic hills, through Dollis Hill and Neasden!! POW POW

Yes...We were a great little wolf pack, running in formation with 2 beautiful blokes in the 6 strong fruity female fold. Although we nearly didn't have our gallant gents in the mix - a last minute moment of doubt and email exchange between Dinesh and myself, had me persuading our lovely lad to absolutely come down no matter what the rains say!! Oh and Joe just made it aswell, by the skin of his teeth, no less....."I had to stop for doughnuts on the way home" he confessed! But thankfully the sugar-rush got him to the start line, just on time so he could patisserie-pate.

Upon arrival we were met by the wonderful team down at the site, who explained away the giant pile of mulch which needed shovelling into wheelbarrows and running across the fields to be arranged beneath the bases of the apple trees!! Easy enough... we thought.... Then, the heavens opened and what was a running session turned into a swimming one, as we battled the heaviest downpour I've ever experienced at an outdoor Goodgym task!! Eeekkkkk!!!!

But no fear, the rain made the team Water-Rapid and the barrows filled up fast with mulch getting delivered to its new homes, as promised!!

As always this crazy crew never fail to make me laugh and feel so proud: Jo, Eliza, Tabitha, Debs, Karen, Joe and Dinesh all laughing and joking the whole time, despite being totally drenched!!! Helping and supporting each other and just making the most fun out of what could have been a totally 'wash-out'! I love this crew!! Even when he was absolutely soaked, we had Dinesh sharing his water-proof jacket with the ladies!! What team spirit..... Although I think he was trying to make up for 'women driver' shout when poor Jo's wheelbarrow collapsed!!

After 40mins of shovelling and delivering I had to unfortunately call end on the task, despite the team not wanting to stop and me literally having to wrestle spaced from hands!!! Tabitha and Joe!!! Lol

But to our delight Stephanie and Daniella, our hosts had arranged a table of home grown goodies for our efforts!! Plums, blackberrys and the good old well known fruit - the biscuit fruit which Eliza tucked into straight away!!

After fond farewells and we will certainly be back!! We turned on our heels and ran the 1 mile jaunt up to Wembley Park Station. Time for some Training as we got to work on pull ups on the tube and Tabitha amazingly demonstrating her circus skills and backwards flip on the bars!!!! Wow!!!

Back home and hugs all round, what doesn't make you wetter makes you stronger!!! And my goodness did we bond in the rain and make the most of this wet and wild night!! Crew Love

So we'll see you next time familia!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

Seventeen sensational @GGSHEFF runners ran 7km to help spread woodchip for Heeley City Farm.

We welcomed new runner Rachel Ripley to the GG family tonight, welcome to the team Rachel - Give her a cheer!

After a quick brief and headcount and with Sam as our trusty back marker we headed off to Heeley City Farm for the nights task.

This weeks task involved a hide and seek style start with tools and a treasure map of the task hidden away in a horsebox. We quickly deciphered the map and got to work, splitting into 2 teams to move woodchip to areas of the farm that were in need of a new layer!

Using wheelbarrows, wheelie bins and brut force we quickly covered the areas in need and even had time to fill some bags up for moving in the future.

After downing tools and accidentally disturbing the local scrumpers we headed into the fitness element of the evening which took advantage of the local topography....

This week we:

• Duck Walked

• Lunged

• Box jumped

• Downhill backward walked!

• Hill sprinted

After all this in the heat it was time to head back and finish with a fast becoming customary mini hill sprint at the end before stretching and spreading the word of the latest news including:

• GG Barnsley launch

• Chosen Park Run for this Sat

• Wednesday Runch

• #stickemup - see photos for Sam's excellent demo!

Next week we are off to Reagther so make sure you've signed up.

Happy Running,

Tom