Tonight twenty two terrific GoodGymmers ran 3.5k to Long Lane Pasture to help maintain this brilliant local space.

Meeting at the Phoenix we were joined by Maria for her first ever GoodGym run - welcome!! We celebrated the team's recent effort at the Brixton 10k on Sunday (Run Through team photo above!) and started to think of where we could go next... Racing is more fun in teams so let's get on it.

We set off with Sarah back marking and quickly made the run down to Long Lane. The Pasture is maintained by volunteers and kept as open space and a nature reserve. We were asked to rake up the grass and hay from some cutting over the weekend, and continue the work with the lawnmower to finish cutting back some of the longer grass.

The teams divided up the gloves, rakes and wheelbarrows and got to work. We were warned that the grass contained lots of brambles and thorns so thick gloves were a must.

Rob and Avital took turns mowing the lawn - it was heavy, hard work - and quickly cut back the remaining grass. Everyone else worked through raking and clearing, and dumping lots of wheelbarrows of grass on the compost heap.

Finishing up, we dropped off our tools and met in some of the clear open space for our fitness session. Today it was core work. We did four exercises for 45 seconds each with 15 seconds rest inbetween. The finisher was, naturally, a plank. Everyone did great, making me think that maybe a plank off is needed sometime soon....

From there it was time for our goodbyes and the run back. Graham led a fast group, with Sarah back marking. Back at base we stretched and shared this week's Barnet biscuit: chocolate bourbons.

See you soon team

D

Tonight 22 (GEDDIT?!) tremendous GoodGymmers gathered at the Phoenix to post new season programmes for our wonderful hosts and: celebrate our SECOND BIRTHDAY (!).

It's been two brilliant years at GG Barnet. We've seen members come and go as house moves and job changes happen but what has always remained is a brilliant group that is always great fun to hang out with on Tuesdays. It seemed appropriate for us to celebrate by posting programmes for the Phoenix: they have been our host for two years and remain an amazing local charity as well as the best cinema in London.

We set off with three rucksacks full of flyers for some nicely undulating local roads. Dividing into two teams, with Graham and Avital as team captains, our runners took opposite sides of the road to start posting. Using our tried and trusted relay technique we quickly made our way through an absolute load (200) flyers in no time at all. Which meant! it was time for a workout.

We ran back towards base, stopping at a local closed off road for some laps. We divided into three teams with two laps at a time: the first at 50% effort the second at 70% with two minutes rest in between. The two minutes goes fast by the third repeat! everyone did brilliantly and ran the last fast lap really hard to use up that last bit of energy. From there, it was back to base for stretches and then a pub visit!

Naturally, we celebrated with a Barnet Biscuit of sorts: check out the photos for Fay's brilliant creation. Katie also made us some amazing double chocolate cookies (Avital proclaimed them the best cookies she's ever tasted) and we enjoyed a few drinks at our local, the Old White Lion, at a table kindly booked by Sarah.

See our instagram page @goodgymbarnet for more pictures AND a video of Sarah and Fay playing us happy birthday on the violin!!!!!!

A brilliant evening and we all can't wait to see what year 3 brings. See you next week team.

Take it away TS:

Twenty toned good gym runners ran to Highgate woods to help the ranger. We gathered and chattered outside the phoenix cinema on a warm and humid evening. We talked about events, missions and welcomed three new runners. Mairead Daly, Peter Yates and Una. Give them a shout! Fay also spoke about how much she enjoys meeting her ‘coach’ every week. We counted out the group and declared our favourite Rom Com. Quite an eclectic list! We warmed up in Cherry Tree woods, ‘running a circle’ before setting off on the slightly elevated route to the woods. We stopped to do paired squats and arm resistance work before quickly reaching the cafe in the centre of the woods. We met Cindy (the ranger) who explained that we would be litter picking. We set off in groups to find litter with the promise of unbelievable riches for the heaviest load. After twenty minutes Cindy declared the winners - who basked in the glory! I gave the group the choice of circuits or a childhood game. We were soon playing ‘stuck in the mud’ but with consequences! Squats and or press ups for captured individuals. Circuits could have been easier! After a group plank we set off back to our base with Damian leading a fast group back.

Thanks for coming…. you did good!

Hope you can make the second year Anniversary group run next week!