A whopping 17 goodgymers met up on our third group task since restrictions were lifted.

Today felt very much like times gone by, with an actual large group. One that had nearly doubled over night since we had checked in with the task organiser so that was a pleasant surprise for Poppy when we all arrived.

We welcomed back Abby who's last group run was just before the lockdowns set in and Lydia who we hadn't seen since October last year.

We had our usual chats as we all turned up at our newest start location, we split into two groups for the walk / joggers and the runners, and then set off. Just a mile to the task today, so it seemed only fair that we throw in a quick hiit workout on the halfway mark.

• Squats with knee lifts
• Sumo Squats
• Russian Twists
• Reverse Crunch
  

The music started (and stopped when I tried to take photos) and we began, 40 seconds on 20 seconds off, 1 minute rest between sets. The run may have been short but we more than made up for it by breaking a sweat here!

With 10 minutes to go we set off again, to join up with global gardens once more. We were welcomed by Poppy, grabbed some tools and a couple of wheelbarrows and made our way to the orchard.

What is a barrow anyhow?

The question was asked, so here is the answer......"Barrow" is a derivation of the Old English "barew" which was a device used for carrying loads. Not to be confused with barewl from Pokémon.

Whilst Poppy took the group to the Orchard, I set off to the children's play area to see the walk / joggers who had already arrived and were hard at work, pulling out the unwanted plants and tidying up the area. We had a nice chat about a new potential start location for an (hopefully) upcoming group mission, and most importantly where we could go afterwards.........

Over to the orchard, and it was brambles galore, the new young plants were sprouting all around so the task on this side was to pull them out (roots too) before they set in too much. The space was looking beautiful with a wildflower meadow in bloom and a great patch of clover helping to suppress the brambles.

Everyone got stuck in and we soon cleared quite a bit from the site, some of us even had time to have a quick go on the swing......not mentioning names - Su.

Time for our group photo, which turned into throwing fallen apples into a bucket. We at least managed one quick pose for a photo, you were a boisterous lot today. Now to head off for a nice social, and all downhill too.

See you all next week

Best group run of the year so far!

2020 has started with a fierce turnout of 31 runners and S4C coming along to capture our antics.

Acknowledgements

• Emily reached 50 good deeds
• Imogen brought a friend to GoodGym and gained herself 1 red lace! #LifesGoals. Imogen will now have one faster foot as the power of the red lace makes you run faster!

We play a game of 'Stuck in the Dance' to warm up tonight and did our usual high knees, butt kicks and lunges.

Two tasks - Choose where you run!

Ben led runners who wanted a speedy run of a longer distance to the Rhydypennau Library. Welsh Dave led runners who wanted a shorter distance to the Star Garden at Tremorfa Hub. Ellen led the walk/run group to the Star Garden at Tremorfa Hub.

Write up by Ben about runners efforts at the Rydypennau Library

Rhydypennau library is the second furthest task we've run to on a group run to date, nevertheless, undeterred we ran pavements, crossed streets, ran past Roath lake and across a large roundabout to make it to the task. When we arrived to the Library we were greeted by Sue Thomas, a librarian at the centre. Sue was ever so friendly and invited us in for a cup of tea or a coffee before we got started. We thanked Sue for this kind offer however time was against us and we wanted to make a big difference in short time we were there for. We got stuck into the task straight away (after a few required shots by the film crew). Yvonne, the presenter of Heno and new to GoodGym herself, got stuck into the task, making light work of a very challenging task. The runners were required to dig up plants and overgrown long grass and move it into temporary plant pots. We only had 20 minutes to do this task but we managed to do it!

Write up by Welsh Dave about runners efforts at the Star Hub

17 keen goodgymmers got to the STAR (or Stare 😉) hub in sunny Tremorfa. Unfortunately plan A turned into Plan B - but luckily there was plenty to do at the Hub! We weeded, carried, picked and emptied our way through the task. Moving compost, stacking chairs and weeding the garden are all in an evening's work for Tuesday night's Tremorfa team!

Time to finish the first group run of 2020

Sadly, time moves as quick as we do, and it wasn't long after we arrived at each of the tasks before we had to head back! Yvonne from the S4C was also gutted it was coming to an end as she was having so much fun!

A special thank you to Rebecca, the Social Communications and Marketing Manager at GoodGym head office, who helped coordinate the involvement of S4C, our Welsh Speakers and task organisers.

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2020 Tweet Off

Marie is taking an early lead in the tweet off! It already looks like she may beat last years winner, Lucy.

• MOH - 2
• Everyone else - 0

RunPunStiltskin award

Can you come up with the best pun title for the run report? if yours gets chosen you get a point on the leaderboard.

• EW - 1

Christmas is often a really difficult time for families who are homeless, so tonight's task was a very sensitive and emotive one. It was a task that we hope brought aspects of joy to the lives of families during a very challenging time

This evening 38 runners showed up to Big Moose to join in this evening's GoodGym run. Yes, 38!!! 38 is the most runners we have EVER had on a GoodGym Cardiff run. There were 3 new runners tonight too- A huge welcome to Sarah, Abby and Lucy! It was absolutely fantastic having you run with us. Jayne brought along Abby to GoodGym that means she earned herself a red lace #LifesGoals! Jayne will now have one faster leg when she runs until she brings another friend and claims another red lace.

The evening started with Ben leading a warm up. He then gathered everyone together to do the usual introduction and acknowledge any achievements over the past week. They included:

• GoodGym Cardiff and The Vale (That's us!) winning the BBC Sport Wales, Getting Wales Active Award
• Ben (GoodGym Trainer) running the 3 Day Ultra Trail Marathon in Ibiza; running over 105km over 3 days
• Lucy Marsh reaching 200 good deeds - Woo!!!
• A wonderful Community Mission at Herbert Thompson directed by Ms Guy

Runner of GoodGym Cardiff and Global News room journalist, Peter Gillibrand turned up in his star costume this evening. If you didn't know by now, Pete is attempting to break a Guinness World Record by running the 2020 London Marathon dressed as a star - Well done Pete you looked fab!

Arriving at Nightingale House

We've run to Nightingale House twice before yet we always managed to forget which building it is - Running up and down the street gives us a bit of extra exercise though, something that we shouldn't be averse to as GoodGym is about getting fit after all.

The staff at Nightingale House welcomed us in with the warmest of welcomes. They were very shocked to hear that 38 runners had turned up, a jump from the 20 that were signed up a couple of days ago.

Our tasks this evening were to decorate the communal areas with Christmas themed decorations and wrap presents, in secret, in the building at the rear of the garden. Some of the runners also gave the garden some TLC by picking up leaves and doing some weeding.

What an incredible task

Everyone found a role and got stuck in. At least 3 Christmas trees were put up. One of the children had James playing with an inflatable Santa for most of the time. Imogen was also being chased with tinsel by some of the children. There was a baby who was dressed in a VERY cool Christmas outfit, who was amazed by the Christmas tree and kept gazing at it in amazement.

In the back building aka. Santa's workshop, runners were speedily wrapping presents. After wrapping one present they would quickly be on to the next. Every bit of space was made use of for the task. Chloe and Sue spent 30 minutes in the toilet wrapping presents.

Thank you so much for your help

The staff and the residents at Nightingale House were extremely grateful, and we were grateful that they allowed us to celebrate some of Christmas with them. Everyone wished each other a Merry Christmas and then we disappeared into the night.

Dave led the run back to Cardiff City Centre, although he quickly ran back to Nightingale House as he had forgotten his bag (Some more unexpected exercise!).

A task that will definitely make a difference. Well done all!

Next week's GoodGym run is on Wednesday - Make sure you come along!

Next Tuesday we have the BBC Sports Awards so the group run will take place on Wednesday. The plan is to help Samye Foundation. I will also be looking for an additional Christmassy themed task. I would love to see you next week - I will bring the award to show you too. Click here to sign up to next week's run.

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Tweet Tweet

Gosh that was quick! Megan has claimed another point on the tweet off leaderboard! Well done! ALL points count and there are less and less opportunities to move up the leaderboard as each week goes by.

• LM 13
• MO 9
• EW 5
• MJ 5
• DRN 4
• MG 4
• NS 2
• RJ 1
• BA 1
• NI 1
• AG 1
• WD 1