What an evening, it was extra busy in (not a Ghost) town as Coventry Cathedral was playing host to the Specials. It was great to welcome Gemma and Anne-Marie as 16 of us warmed up to the sound checks in the Cathedral and dynamic stretched to the beat- thanks Laura!

We reached the task and quickly set about clearning the lavender beds of dead lavender and weeds as well as transferring the large amount of soil ready for the ground to be flat as possible.

Armed with wheelbarrows, spades, rakes, forks and trowels we set to work. Unfortunately, even with over 45 minutes work, we were unable to transfer all of the soil, however the lavender beds and other flower beds were de-weeded.

Before heading back we completed some speedwork- parlauf with recovery and speed intervals in pairs and finished with a good old-fashioned sprint- Good work Liam!

Finally, we returned to Drapers, stretched , caught up on plans for the weekend- local parkruns and a local 10km. This was unanimously agreed to be our most physical task yet and enjoyed by all. Hope there aren't too many achy shoulders today.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week, Liz x

On a glorious Tuesday in Coventry, 16 GoodGym runners set off to the Sowe Valley on Wyken Croft. As this was a totally new location and quite far away, maps had been prepared in advance, back markers and runners briefed on route and we set off on time- after our speech and a warm up. As it was a long way, at regular intervals we stopped for strengthening exercises: squats, triceps dips and fast feet.

The Sowe Valley is beautiful and on a peaceful sunny evening, it was great to get on with the task and chat. Having been greeted by Lyn with the equipment, we set off in groups of 3 to tidy the path. The route was well used and we found a good mixture of litter, from scratch cards, cigarette butts, an enormous mushroom and space invader crisp wrappers.

With the task achieved, we then completed a Fartlek- speed play along our return route. It was great that we had some fantastic support in Gosford Park where the playing families were really cheerful and supportive as we sprinted through.

Congratulations Victoria, Jackie and James on your 10th GoodGym run!

I hope you all have a wonderful week and I'll see you next Tuesday. Liz x

13 runners finally got to run in the dry and this time we ran 4.6 km to support the Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind.

It was great to meet Elise, Liam and Tina and welcome them to Coventry GoodGym.

After running the shorter distance this week of 2km to get there, we quickly got on with our tasks and started making holes and tidying up the flower beds. The boards were then fastened, drives and paths swept as the GoodGym team conscientiously helped Hugh in his quest to fix the boards at the front of the Resource Centre. There was some immense examples fo team work most notable Malcolm and Liam who made very sghort work of creating a very big hole.

When the time arrived, it was all hands on deck to put the boards in and pour the postcrete. Again, the GoodGym team proved no task was too small and whilst we waited for the postcrete to set , once the boards were level, we completed our fitness session, working on our strength and cardiovascular fitness.

Thanks Elise and Natalie for the photos.

Hugh was pleased with our work and we then set off back to Drapers, with speedier folk looping back so we didn't spread out too far.

Again you proved what a lovely lot you are.

Thanks all and see you next week, Liz x