What a beautiful day we had today, just perfect for a nice jog and some friendly volunteering. Once again we had our two pickup locations, Sport Wales and Big Moose, as we all eagerly met ready to get back to School.

We were met by the Head Teacher,

Good Evening Mrs. Thomas

How strange to be in school during the Easter holidays, but no time to waste, lets get to work. This evening we had a lovely task to help make a start on clearing out flower beds that the pupils can turn into sensory gardens, a vegetable patch and a rainbow garden. I don't know about you but I can't wait to see the results.

We got stuck in, pulling Ivy, cutting Buddleja, digging out weeds and finding some long forgotten toys.

Hello McHooty the OWL

Several bags full, and it was a great start to the project. Much clearer and you could see the potential of the space now, hopefully we will return again to help / see progress. We thanked Mrs Thomas and her family before hitting the streets and heading back to Sport Wales for a stretch and rest.

Join us next week as we help out Riverside Medical Centre to create some wildflower areas.

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After a heavy downpour throughout the night and morning, it was decided that our task would be postponed for a week. The planters that we were to empty had started to look more like ponds ready for the birds.

Unfortunately, there had also been an accident on one of the major roads which had led to it being closed off, and on the night that WALES are playing football to boot!

With a couple of drop outs - totally understandable, we met in two groups again. From Sport Wales in the Park, a lovely run through the lovely green grounds and over to our next group outside Big Moose cafe. We then made our way to our final destination - Adamsdown Primary School.

Instead of our advertised task, we were going to make the school's perimeter that little bit cleaner for the kids and teachers. Litter pickers in hand, and what was our last few bags we got to work and it was a delight. Along the way we found milk - at least it was once upon a time, there was a till, a pair of jeans (good night had there) and even managed to get a few bits through the fence of the school. We finished over in the playground, just a quick tidy up there to make it clean and that little bit safer for the little ones.

5 bags dropped off and it was time to head back and have our monthly social and food.

Join us next week, when we return to the School once more and tackle our actual task.

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This evening 18 GoodGym runners ran to help out Adamsdown Primary School and spoke about the benefits of running on mental health as part of the #RunAndTalk campaign

The Cardiff Half Marathon took place over the weekend and so uncertainty was in the air about who was going to show up for this evening's run.

A huge welcome to Andrew. Andrew is Hannah's other half and therefore for bringing Andrew along to GoodGym Hannah earned herself ONE RED LACE :) WELL DONE

As tonight's run was in partnership with World Mental Health Day, whilst doing the headcount we shared aloud with one another the reasons for why we run.

Here are the reasons why people said they run

• So I can eat cake, get fit and make and meet up with friends
• To help me to keep happy and smiling (and because I love prosecco and food after the run!)
• To keep fit and release stress
• Because Ben says
• I run so I can eat more
• To keep fit
• I run to help free the mind and relax
• For my mental wellbeing
• So I can eat more
• Run for my mental health because I get stressed often
• Because it feels good ... (Sometimes)
• To make me feel good and clear my mind
• To try and get fit and relax and help my mental health
• I run for my autistic brother and for my physical and mental health

Let's get running

Without further ado we began our run to Adamsdown Primary School. Mikey led the run there and Fiona backmarked.

Welcome to Adamsdown Primary School! My name is Mrs Thomas and I am the headteacher of the school

When everyone arrived at the school Mrs Thomas introduced herself to the runners and told everyone about the fantastic work that goes on there. She then told runners about the tasks they had been set for that evening and everyone was super excited to get stuck in.

The bush tacklers who trimmed the hedge that bordered the school were: Hannah, Andrew, Rosie, Ellie, Lewis, Fiona The furniture disposers who threw out old classroom furniture into a skip were: Darren, Andrew, Lucy, Aimee, Mikey, Martin, Darren, Su, Owen, Adam

Aimee blew her own trumpet about how her posing experience... and literally blew a trumpet! Lucy indulged herself in some reading. Lewis was almost hospitalized by a thorn that scratched his arm (Massive over exaggeration... he just said ouch),

Time to go!

Mrs Thomas was amazed by how quickly the tasks got completed. She thanked everyone for running to help out and invited them to have biscuits and water to refuel before running off.

Our way back was great fun, and with time to spare, sprint drills were on the menu! Ben and Lewis put everyone through their paces, setting target distances and having everyone sprint to them. Then, wanting to make the total run distance for the evenings run 5km, various detours were taken to increase the run distance.

Well done everyone for an EPIC task and getting stuck in.

RunPunStiltskin Award

This week's RunPunStiltskin award goes to FIONA (Sorry Darren and Peter, Fiona out-punned you on this occasion!). Fiona please keep the virtual award safe. You will have to hand it back next week.

Don't forget

• Sign up to next week's run by clicking here. We are going to be helping out the Llanover Arts Centre - It's going to be a great task!
• Sign up to the next community mission on Thursday 18th October (to help out Maes Y Coed) by clicking here
• Sign up to the AMAZING upcoming Saturday Group run in Penarth on the 20th October. Click here to find out more information and sign up

RunAndTalk