The end of the school summer holidays saw a cooler Tuesday evening than of late and 26 enthusiastic Goodgym runners assemble at the Big Moose café ready to help out the RSPB. There was a buzz in the air as the newer runners and regular members chatted excitedly and shared stories of their running and Goodgym experiences so far. At 6.30pm, the group hastily made their way outside for the warm up, round up of the weekly news and head count. Tonight’s headcount featured everyone naming their favourite thing to eat for dinner. Pizza came out as the most popular choice – yum! The runners who took part in the Cardiff 10K were cheered for their efforts and Darren and Nathan shared their experience of the gardening mission they completed last weekend for a lovely 94 year old lady.

Without further ado we were off! We ran as one group on a less than direct route to the task at St Mary’s Church just to give us a slightly longer run and time for more of Ben’s en route fitness torture including holding a squat for one whole minute! There were a lot of groans and shaky legs. Within 15 minutes we reached our task location. Sue from the RSPB was there waiting for us at St Mary’s churchyard armed with tools galore and information about what the RSPB do and in particular are doing with this site. Sue explained the site was being transformed into a Buzz site to encourage pollinating insects and bugs which she told us are losing their habitats with more and more becoming endangered. The project also aims to increase awareness and involvement of the local community especially in educating children and allowing families to join in and get hands on.

So to the task at hand…

The first team set to work were Rosie and Fiona who were given shears and a rake and asked to trim an area of overgrown grass which will be turned into a wildflower meadow. Rosie got chopping while Fiona used the rake to make neat piles of the cuttings. Later in the task she asked Darren to move the piles to the area where all of the cuttings had been piled up awaiting the return of the skip for removal from the site and exclaimed, ‘Darren’s got piles!’ – he took the joke well. Next to be given their task for the night was team Jess, Jess and Rachel. They were handed loppers and asked to clear an area of overgrown shrubs and weeds. Those pesky weeds stood no chance with these three on the case chopping away with their super sharp loppers. The remaining runners were split into two teams. One team collected spades and forks and were asked to dig over an area that we had cleared on a previous task ready for creating a woodland wonderland for the insects. The other team were tasked with moving a large pile of cuttings closer to the exit of the site ready for the skip coming at a later date. Martin scooped up a huge amount of cuttings in one go and posed beautifully for a photo taken by Ben with Ben shouting, ‘show me your bush Martin!’ There may have been a few cheeky sniggers. Lucy and Darren saw an opportunity for a litter pick and went around picking up the litter from the area to be turned into a woodland habitat. Encouraged by their actions, Nathan, Marian and Elle joined in and picked up any litter they saw in their vicinity to make the site look a whole lot better. During the task Ben kept us entertained and our minds active with a riddle or two. ‘What’s red when you start and green when you finish it?’ Did you get the answer?

One minute to go!

Before we knew it Ben gave the 1 minute countdown and the task was over. A couple of group photos in the churchyard followed before collecting up the tools and gloves. Sue thanked us for our help and difference we had made and said she hoped we would be back soon, hopefully to fill the skip when it arrives in a couple of weeks time.
We said goodbye and made to run back towards town and the Big Moose Café. ‘Ha, not so fast guys’ said Ben, we have lots of time left for more running and fitness so he led us off towards the Bay along Bute Street. On reaching the Bay we turned back towards the city centre and a series of sprints along Lloyd George Avenue followed. We managed to gain an extra little runner for part of the sprints with a young girl and her dad wanting to race with us. She asked if she could win so we gave her a small head start and we just couldn’t catch her! Her efforts earnt her a high five from Emma. After the sprints we ran through town and back to Frederick Street where the speedier runners supportively cheered in the sexy runners. A cool down and stretch followed with Ben letting everyone know that he will be posting some training plans in the Goodgym Cardiff facebook group for 10K and half marathon distances. We were also reminded about this week’s fantastic second group run on Thursday to help set up the Insport Disability Wales event. For all the details click here

And with that we were finished. With the Glassworks being closed for refurbishment it was a trip to Central Bar where Emma provided the snacks of peanut butter M n Ms brought back all the way from Canada – thanks Emma! The famous tweet-off warning came and a rare winner emerged in the race to be the first to retweet the Goodgym Cardiff post about tonight’s activities. Well done to… me actually!

Next week’s run is ‘plogging’ with Keep Wales Tidy. Litter picking will never have been so much fun, such great exercise or so satisfying. Get signed up here folks…

On a cooler than usual Tuesday evening in Cardiff 18 runners used their running to do good in the Cardiff community by helping out at Butetown Pavilion and the STAR Hub in Tremorfa

The temperature this evening was slightly milder but the enthusiasm to do good was wilder. Runners met at Big Moose, arriving there via different modes of transportation, Rachel cycled there (so good to see you again for your second GG run!) and Adam sprinted from his home only stopping when he entered door of the café.

When it was time for our run (6.30pm) we gathered outside the café! Ben got everyone to do a warm up jog and then regroup for introductions and a headcount; A HUMUNGOUS welcome to Sophie who was running with GoodGym for the first time – It’s great to have you come along! This run also marked a milestone for both Rosie and Ben, who were celebrating 50 and 100 good deeds respectively (100 good deeds meant Ben was due to wear the rainbow wings, which he did beautifully!) (Rosie also made lemon drizzle cake to mark 50 good deeds, however it was so delicious the Ants got to it first, so instead she supplied carrot cakes and almond bites for after the run - much to the delight of the carrot cake lovers!). The warm up also included the legendary game of Fish and Chips (contrary to the name suggests you actually burn calories - I know, WHAT!?!) and stuck in the mud (Daz was on, and it was him vs the rest of GoodGym – after a minute Nathan also joined him being on – It was now the coat brothers vs all!).

Feeling warm, ready and with our hearts beating faster we were ready to go!

It was two task Tuesday this week so we had two places to help out, the Butetown Pavilion (which Ellen led) and the Star Hub community gardens in Tremorfa (which Ben led).

The 'Butetown pavilion massive' included; Lucy, Ellen, Darren, Lydia, Emma, Amy, Rosie, Tanya and Su! The 'Tremorfa Stars' were; Tom, Ben, Martin, Keira, Rosie, Sophie, Nathan, Rachel and Mikey!

What went down at the Hub!

Runners arrived at the hub after a speedy 2.2 mile run to get there. When they arrived Lewis was on hand ready to let everyone know what needed to get done in the 30 minutes allotted time. “GoodGym, it is fantastic to see you! We need your help to dig a trench for our plants. Do you think you’ll be able to help?” Encouraged by Lewis’ faith in GoodGym everyone got stuck straight in. The ground was tough because of how sunny it has been lately and dried the soil out. However, with a positive mental attitude the dry soil was no match for us and in 25 minutes the trench was dug. Nathan, Mikey and Martin also found time to do a spot of litter picking, picking up all sorts of litter from lids from butter tubs to sweety wrappers! Tom was rolling out the puns; he was clear feeling quite punacious and being a very punny guy!

Clearing the Jumanji weeds at the Pavillion

Ellen led the adventurous runners, with gloves at the ready, to Butetown Pavilion! They had an extra 0.9 mile run owing to Ben’s confusion over Grangetown and Butetown pavilion (he thought they were the same place - Doh!) When the runners arrived at the pavilion though they were weedy excited for some weeding. With their PPE on (gloves) they began pulling up all the weeds. Ellen kept everyone motivated with words of encouragement, “don’t let the weeds get the better of you GoodGym, you’ve got this!” Ellen said.

After 25 minutes the weeding was complete. It was GoodGym vs. Jumanji and GoodGym reigned victorious!

Both teams ran back at pace, 8pm was approaching fast!... Through parks, crossing roads, over walls and down slides, the route back presented many Fun challenges...

Arriving back at Big Moose it was time to warm down and then head for post run drinky poos at the Glassworks - and to eat the cakes Rosie kindly supplied... Nom Nom Nom

Join in next weeks run to Cardiff Bay where we will be promoting Cardiff Pride! Fancy dress is encouraged, bright colours and enthusiasm – We’ve got this! Click here to get signed up!

OHHH and last but not least...

• Well done to Darren who is this weeks RunPunStiltskin champion - He came up with the title of the run report. Enjoy the virtual award, look after it and bring it next week so we can see who wins the RunPunStiltskin award next time...

• Huge well done to Emma for winning the Tweet Off - Can anyone stop her being crowed Tweet off Champion for 2018? Keira, Martin, Lucy, Darren, Nathan, Ellen, Rosie, and all the other tweeters... the challenge is on!....

On a cool Tuesday evening 16 GoodGym runners ran to help the Samye Foundation! Getting fit, doing good – It is how we roll.

On a lovely Tuesday evening GoodGym Cardiff runners gathered at Yr Hen Lyfrgell And, for two of our runners it was a very special evening as they were celebrating their 100 good deed milestone – A huge well done to Lucy and Mikey! Now you have your wings, YOU CAN FLY! Sofia was running with GoodGym for the first time ever this evening - A MASSIVE welcome and a round of applause Clap clap clap clap clap

It was then time to begin our run. Our route took us through the wonderful iconic sights of Cardiff, including Cardiff Castle and Bute Park. We stopped in the park to do some tricep dips and press up on benches - Why? Because we love them! We were having so much fun that we even stopped to do partner single leg lunges on a street corner too.

GoodGym we have missed you!

Lorraine from Samye Foundation greeted us with a massive smile. She welcomed the runners and told everyone about the Samye Foundation. Lorraine then explained our tasks for the evening and we couldn’t wait to get stuck in.

• Lucy, Rosie, Emma, Lydia, Aimee and Tanya got stuck into weeding.
• Tom put a rock on a wall
• Adam dug soil using an axe pick and planted roses with Su's assistance
• Lowri and Darren dug a hole ready for planting flowers
• Mikey potted and watered plants
• Sofia, Rachel and Amy were also potting plants

In just over 20 minutes we managed to complete all the tasks we had been set - GREAT job guys :) Cheers all round

Thank you so much for all of your help. You’ve been incredible support to us and helped us make our visions for Samye a reality

It was then time to say our goodbyes to Lorraine but not before she welcomed us inside for some quiche, humous, crisps and avocado – Oh they do spoil us!

Thank you Samye for providing an awesome task. Well done everyone for getting stuck in and making a difference. Come along to GoodGym next week for some more running and doing good :)

After arriving back to Yr Hen Llyfrgell it was time for some drinkypoos at the Glassworks!

A massive thank you to GoodGym Cardiff runner Rachel Walsh. She will now be leaving us for pastures new and we wish her all the very best. She has been an asset to GoodGym since joining and she will be greatly missed.