It was awards night at GG York this week as we celebrated 4 people hitting some pretty chunky milestones. So much so that there wasn't enough capes to go around. But don't worry, everyone had a chance to twirl in the appropriate Cape of Good Deeds at some point.

First up it was the turn of Nick and Nikki who both celebrated their 300th(!) good deeds this evening (or not too long ago, sorry!). Give them a big ol' cheer 👏

Next it was the turn of a very late Abigail who recently completed her 100th good deed. Send some cheers her way 🙌

And since it was the closest group run to valentines day, what better way to name and number off than by naming the thing we love most about GoodGym. Needless to say there were some sickly-sweet answers along with Ed forgetting his wife existed ❤️

Then on to the task sandwiched by the Co-Area Activators where we met by Richard and Martin, who got the biggest cheer of the night for celebrating his 50th good deed. Well done Martin 👏

As for the task itself, there was a very smelly pond, some very squelchy boggy bits, some rapid blackboard painting, some digging and some bark chip spreading. James and Neil spent far too long failing to get some loppers unstuck whilst everyone else got stuck in to the various tasks on offer. So much so that there task was completed with a bit of time to spare 💪

Then it was off to Scarcroft Green for a fitness session that first saw GGers struggle to organise themselves into groups of 4, before having to perform 4 sets of various exercises before a quick dash to drop off a cone (repeat x 4). 4 reps, 4 sets, 4 cones and teams of 4 on a night with 4 milestones celebrated. All that was left to do was head to the pub for a few beers (although I drew the line at 3, not 4. It was a school night after all)

An outstanding crowd of 44 GG Yorkies completed a huge range of tasks at Millthorpe School as part of our #runandtalk event

Mental Health Ambassador Nick opened up the evening tonight with a brilliant explanation of what #runandtalk is all about. Running is great for mental health in many ways but GoodGym really helps by making us feel connected to our communities, being sociable with other people and giving runners an overall sense of fulfillment.

We introduced lovely new runners Ian and Zoe, and gave massive cheers to Nikki who finally got to wear the Cape of Good Deeds after completing her 50th good deed months ago. Next up was the Brilliant Bev who got to wear the Centurion Cape for completing 100 good deeds!

Our task tonight was with Emma, who runs a 'Forest School' on the grounds of Millthorpe School. Emma had saved us after our original task was cancelled and had a job list as long as her arm. We had to (take a deep breath):

• pull up two pond liners from a pond which hadn't been entirely drained
• dig a series of holes along the fence for bushes to be planted
• bark the whole campfire circle (with bark that was really far away)
• weed a border
• dig up deep-set posts from the old boardwalk
• remove all the old wood/chicken wire from the boardwalk and fill up Emma's car
• move loads of bits of wood to make a new, neat pile

Phew. Good thing a big crowd turned up, eh?

Barbara grabbed a wheelbarrow and set straight off to collect some bark with Tristan, Emily, Leanne and some others. The bark pile was so far away and with only two wheelbarrows it was going to take far too long so the team commandered a wheelie bin and filled it with bark so it could be done in less trips.

Where you been? Nick

Right over at the other side of the school! Babs

No, where you wheelie bin?! Nick

Dan had grabbed the sledgehammer and was tackling the big wooden posts whilst everyone who had baggsied a spade was digging holes for bushes along the line of the blue fence.

Most of the team were on the pond liner task, which was dirtier and stinkier than anyone had imagined. New runner, Zoe, was right in the mix and had already ruined her trainers on her first run.

It's okay, they'll wash! - Zoe

There were many tactics for extracting a giant pond liner that was stuck under a disgusting pile of sludge and it was getting pulled in all directions like a slippery tug-of-war. Every time a bit came up it would flick up and whoever was nearest would get splattered with grim pond slime, but that didn't put anybody off!

Over in the stick relocation department, lots of people were branching out and not sticking to the plan. Ste found a pair of knickers in amongst the foliage and we didn't know what to do with them so he put them in a bucket. Shortly after this, Katie found a bra and was so worried about being photographed with it that she chucked it at Tim.

I'm used to women throwing their bras at me - Tim

The bra also went in the bucket. Even with all that drama though we ended up with a huge and very neat pile of sticks in the right location.

Lizzie and Becky weeded the borders and Paul Kelly jumped onto sledgehammer duty whilst the pond team tackled the second, even deeper pond liner. Emma was welly-deep and doing her best honourary GoodGymer bit and nobody actually fell in which was a total miracle, even through Christine and Jenna both came pretty close.

As the last bit of pond liner came out, a huge cheer erupted and a crew of very grubby GG Yorkies were done. It was just the bark crew to finish off spreading the last wheelie bin of woodchip.

We had just enough time to fit in a Back to Basics Workout with all the best stuff like squats, lunges, burpees and a few partner-assisted single legs squats too!

27 very soggy GG Yorkies made it through flash floods to do good at Millthorpe School.

A massive thunderstorm had been going for about an hour leaving parts of the city (and some GG Yorkie's houses) waterlogged. Drenched runners arrived victoriously, particularly Mel who was really rocking the 'triathlon in my clothes' look. Big shout out to Alison who came for her first GoodGym all the way from Malton in horrendous weather!

Luckily the rain stopped before we were due to head out to do good. It was only half a mile to get to our task and our walking crew of Katie and Sean led the way whilst the runners did a little warm up. At the task we were met by Emma who told us a little bit about Forest School and how it's so important to get the kids outside to experience the Great British weather. We agree, maybe they'll end up being GoodGymers.

Our tasks were to dig over two big areas of weedy, mossy stuff so that grass seed could be planted, and to rip up an old, rotten boardwalk around the two ponds. Those who were most into carnage and destruction headed for the boardwalk. The only tools were spades and forks, really for all the digging.

How are we supposed to do this? Using our bare hands? - Christine

Yep. With gloved hands, everyone got stuck in ripping up the chicken wire and yanking bits of wood up.

I don't know if now is the time to say that I have actually fallen in a pond before.

Despite her previous form, Helen still headed for the pond but stuck to the safety of digging in the very soggy grass. The soggy grass gang were very much enjoying the squelching sounds of digging and were determined to call people over individually so they could listen.

It's like the first spoon of trifle! - Alison

Over on the other side, a huge patch of digging had been completed. Adam had arrived slightly late and immediately found a huge root to attempt to dig up.

I found that root earlier and instead of tackling it, I went over there - Bad Nick

The whole boardwalk had been removed except for a few very long posts (a job for another day) and a massive area of grass had been dug over. It was time to celebrate with a bit of fitness and tonight we introduced a brand new game.

The Egg of Power

The Egg of Power gave some lucky individuals the chance to decide what exercise everybody had to do. Some people - like Huw - made bad choices and had everyone doing burpees. Timer Sean was merciful though and didn't make us do them for too long. Obviously there was dancing because everyone knows we love a little dance at GoodGym (excellent suggestion by Lizzie) but it was new-ish GG Yorkie, Emily, who 100% took the win for best exercise.

Monsters Inc Bunk Bed!

If you're unfamiliar with the exercise, see here. Emily demonstrated with quite outstanding enthusiasm and sound effects and deserves a big cheer.

Don't forget we have an extra session on Thursday this week starting at 18:30 - this is a Starter Session so we meet at the task. Invite your friends!