I was flying solo as GoodGym volunteer on this task and arrived nice and early for a pre run course check. Setting off for one loop of the course I was expecting the usual rabbit holes but turned the second corner to be greeted by a cow having some grass for breakfast!

After the rest of the check went without any concerns, I reported the unexpected visitor to the run director to discuss cow management strategies! After a bit of debate (and some lighthearted suggestions of giving the cow a high vis vest!), one of the tailwalkers was promoted to official cow marshal and a Council contact was called to help our bovine companion make it back to their correct field.

Cow reporting duties complete, I picked up my pacers bib ready for volunteer role number 2. Lining up at the start I bumped into Sarah and George who I'd met at Thursday's GoodGym session, who were doing their first Coldhams Common Parkrun and first ever Parkrun respectively! It was a very GoodGym affair as they were also running with their friends from GoodGym York!

After a catch up, we were off and focus turned to my watch and trying to help my fellow runners pace themselves. After two laps, I was very smug crossing the line just 3 seconds off my target pace, and helping two chaps to a PB! 💪

After cheering Sarah, George and their friends over the finish line, it was time to head home after what turned out to be a surprisingly eventful start to the day!

We were back supporting Cambridge City Foodbank this evening. It was a lovely late summer evening and perfect for a run.

Meeting Scott and Alice at the pool, we welcomed Sarah (Barnet OG) and George to their first GoodGym Cambridge session 👋 Great to have you along!

After introductions and a warm up (including squats for no-squat Scott and some all important ankle mobility exercises) we were off! All fired up and on our way, I realised after 50m that we hadn't taken our group shot, so we took a very early pause to make sure we captured the moment (and the beautiful light). On our way once more, we navigated through the backstreets and the cemetery, taking the scenic route to the supermarket.

We did a recce to assess what was needed and split off to secure some donations. Being extra prepared, it turns out Alice had impressively been running with a bag full of cans 💪

Not able to join the session, Caroline had beaten us to it earlier in the day, and even had time for a quick (Drosque-esque) picture in front of our poster in store.

With a variety of food and household items donated, we started our run back to the meeting point, taking a slightly different route, this time via the underpass (we like to take in all the best sights). Feeling happy after enjoying movement, good deeds and great company, we cooled down and made plans for our next session before heading our separate ways.

GoodGymers where out in force this morning making events happen North and South of the the city.

Up in Northstowe, Becky and I were supporting Cambridge Acorn Project at Northstowe Running Festival by managing a water station on the half marathon route. We took a lovely cycle from Cambridge arriving with plenty of time to fill 100s of cups of water and master the fiddly job of setting up the rubbish sacks.

We had a great time handing out water and cheering on runners who were doing a fantastic job! The rain held off for a while, but about 2 hours in, it started pouring, with the cups filling themselves. Water, water everywhere (and a drop to share) 🌧️

We took cover while the worst passed and had even more respect for runners persevering in those difficult conditions. 💪

After a swift clear up, we headed to a local cafe to warm up with a much needed cup of tea ☕

Further south, Harriet and Caroline were reunited at Fulbourn Hospital parkrun, and were joined by Jacob to make a volunteer dream team. All went smoothly with Harriet as Run Director, supported by Jacob on timekeeping and Caroline on number checking. This new role for Caroline meant a new parkrun challenge badge 🎉 Aligning perfectly, there was plenty of cake to enjoy from parkrunner milestone celebrations. Yum!

Shout out to Scott who was representing GoodGym and in charge of pre-course checks at Coldham's Common parkrun last week when the sun was still shining ☀️

For this week's task, five intrepid GoodGymers braved the Cambridge thunderstorm to visit the Fox Den Community Allotment. ⛈️

Beth, Sandra, Kate, Catherine and I arrived to a mere smattering of rain, before it quickly developed into something heavier. Taking shelter, we met with Chief Allotmenteer Lorna to learn about today's task and assign roles. As well as preparing the paths, today we were to start on the hugel mound! A traditional permaculture method, a hugel mound is a raised bed filled with rotton wood and organic matter, creating a highly fertile soil from materials thay would otherwise go to waste.

First, we needed to dig a crater in which the decaying logs could go. Kate and Sandra wasted no time grabbing shovels and getting stuck in with the chiseling/flaking of the upper layers, while I filled watering cans to drench the layers beneath to help make it diggable. During our dig, we also learned from Lorna how Fox Den got its name, and we hope that one day the foxes may return! 🦊

Meanwhile, Catherine and Beth were on woodchip duty for the path maintenance task. With a wheelbarrow each, the pair completed multiple trips across the allotment, masterfully performing the labour-intensive job. Lulled into a false sense of security, jackets were removed during a dry spell - only for the rain to return when the pair were at the farthest point. Whoops! 🌧

Some rather spectacular thunder and lightning signalled that it was time to head to our August social! Passing sheltering cows, the group cycled to Calverley's Brewery (sadly, the weather once again scuppered our plans to picnic). We were really pleased Becky was able to join, meeting us at the bar just in time for the first beer sampling. Selling the group on the detroit-style pizzas, dinner was sorted. Thank you so much to everyone who came along, it really was a hugel-y enjoyable evening! 🍻🍕

We returned this evening for our monthly visit to Jimmy's Cambridge to help with their dinner service. 🍽

Christopher and I met at Parkside Pools for our 4km-and-a-bit run, lapping Parker's Piece four times. Making her way from London, Catherine was waiting for us after the first lap and joined us for the remainder. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

This evening, Alex joined us for her first visit to Jimmy's. We soon got stuck in dishing up this evening's meal of spaghetti and stroganoff, with a rather splendid lemon meringue pie to follow. There was even a steak for Ruby, tonight's resident dog! 🐶

We gratefully received a visit from Beth partway through service (also on her first visit here) in time for clean down. As per usual, we made plenty of time for chatting and team building - and shared the joy of the clingfilm machine. 🙌

Thanks to all for another fun and productive evening!

We arrived in convoy for our weekend session at Fox Den Community Allotment. Having taken the scenic route along the river, Caroline and I fell in line behind Becky, who had been following Daiana and Andrew from the city centre. They hadn't met before, so had no idea they were heading to the same place (although the red t-shirt was a little giveaway)! We had a chuckle when we realised what had happened 🚲 🚲 🚲

Ilse was like a beacon in her GG t-shirt waiting for us, and we welcomed Princy back for her second GG task 💪

After some introductions, Lorna was briefing us on our jobs for the session. We were working in the forest garden area and Andrew, very impressively, explained to the rest of the group that the methods used in the forest garden enable mycelium to thrive, allowing plants to communicate and supporting hydration. Eventually, after 20ish years (or 10000s of GG sessions) the garden becomes self-sustaining. 🌿

Although the garden looked peaceful, it was a hive of activity as everyone got stuck in shifting bags and bags of clay and compost to clear a bed for planting. It was a efficient operation, and a proper strength workout with some VERY heavy wheelbarrows to transport. We played many rounds of the game 'compost or clay'? I'm not sure it will catch on.

As well as this, Daiana and Andrew did a great job cutting back the hedgerows, Ilse put the bricks to good use creating some much needed borders for some of the flowering beds, and Princy and Becky made light work of cleaning and folding the huge tarp that had been used as a base to store the clay. A busy evening, and what a transformation 🙌

We were delighted to be celebrating Ilse's 10th Good Deed, which as well as being a great achievement, meant we all got some cake! 🎂 Congratulations on all the good you've made happen in Cambridge so far, we're glad you're on the team 💛

We wrapped up for the evening, feeling satisfied with another active session. Daiana harvested a couple of tomatoes and took them home in her GG branded water bottle (ingenious) and I was also gifted a cucumber, so a really top notch session for us! And yes, the cucumber did get transported home in my bike's bottle holder. 🥒#normalforcambridge