18 GoodGym-ers ran 4km to help a children's centre this week

We broke GG Barnet records yet again this week with 18 people showing up to run – the most people to date (not including launch night)!

Big shout out to Graham, Lara and Eleanor who all joined us for the first time this week! Be sure to click their names and give them a cheer!

After a quick intro inside the cinema, we went outside to warm up the side road. It's always important to warm up properly to make sure our muscles and joints are ready for the task ahead. It was a nice easy run this week to Newstead, a nearby children's centre, to paint the hall. We ran 1.4km there, with Hazel our trusty backmarker.

Teje was there to meet us, armed with all the painting essentials and a box of biscuits! The team blitzed the first coat of paint in the hall in 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time for our fitness session in the back room. Today the focus was on agility, strength and conditioning, starting with some duck walks and knee tag games and finishing with some press-ups, crunches and jumpning squats. There were obviously also some burpees, because everybody loves burpees.

Thanks to Hazel for taking lots of pictures during the workout!

We then said our goodbyes and ran back to base, splitting off into two groups and taking a slightly longer (2.5km) route back. Damian and Mark lead the speedy lot back while I lead the less speedy group. Paul was my trusty back-marker on the way back, with Eleanor and Freya navigating the back roads of Finchley for me.

The run back was pretty much all up hill, so kudos to everybody for doing so brilliantly.

The Barnet Biscuit of the week: Freya's homemade gingerbread polar bears

We also had the biscuits from Newstead AND a box of chocolate fingers that my gran gave to Hazel on Sunday after a mission to clean her greenhouse.

We have two missions in Barnet this weekend. If you're already DBS checked you can sign up: Help deliver fliers for the Safer Neighbourhoods Team in High Barnet on Saturday (who have promised biscuits to any volunteers – unprompted) and clear the way for Ms D's carers on Sunday also in High Barnet.

If you're not DBS checked yet, just bring some ID and proof of address (two of one and one of the other) along to next week's run. We'll be flyering for a local christmas fair. We'll also be going to the pub afterwards for some food.

The following week will be the last GG Barnet of the year – running to set up SANTA'S GROTTO. And the Phoenix will be providing Mince Pies and wine for us when we return to the cinema.

See you next week!

17 GoodGym-er run 6km to varnish a carehome's garden chairs

This week GoodGym Barnet set a new record for attendance (not including launch night), with three brand new people joining us for our run. Massive welcome Rachel, James and Lauren who all made it down to GG Barnet for the first time – give 'em a cheer! And to Beattieand Will who finally returned!

This week a number of people hit 10 GG Barnet runs! Well done to Will, Mark, Heather and Freya. The Phoenix is giving everyone who comes along to 10 GG Barnet runs a free cinema ticket. I have the first 10 already waiting for enough of us to go and watch something awesome together! We are three people away from the first 10!

After a quick warm up along the side of the cinema, I lead the way to Dell Fields Care Home. Heather was my trusty back-marker this week. The 3km route to the carehome took us over the big bright bridge crossing the North Circular again, which Hazel and I agreed was oddly satisfying to run over.

Once we arrived at the home, we were handed some sand paper and paint brushes and set upon getting as many of the garden chairs varnished as we could in the allocated time. Everyone did an amazing job. Within 25 minutes we'd finished eight (or so) chairs – there were only two left. We ran out of paint brushes, so while most of the team worked, people took it in turns to run, side-step, duck walk and high-knee down the garden path.

We then had a quick workout out the front of the home involving some sprints, squats and rocket jumps. It unfortunately also involved Hazel ruining a very nice pair of leggings.

Freya then lead the team back to base along a different route, while I back-marked with Heather, Hazel and Phil. Half way back we split into two groups, with Damian leading the speedy group back to the Phoenix and me taking the less speedy group back. Everybody in the speedy group agreed that it certainly earned its name, with Damian ensuring the pace was kept on zoom.

Back at the Phoenix we were treated to this week's Barnet Biscuit: homemade Jaffa cakes, courtesy of Heather. I'm still blown away that these are even a thing you can make at home. Heather deserves ALL OF THE CHEERS for making these.

Next week we have a nice short run to Newstead Children's Centre in East Finchley to paint the hallways. Sign up here. It's only 1.5km each way and will be indoors – what more could you ask for?

Don't forget to bring your documents along next week if you'd like to be DBS checked – ID + Proof of Address, two of one and one of the other.

See you next week, folks!

This week 13 GoodGym-ers ran 5km to tidy up a nearby park

With the rain upon us this evening, we all gathered inside the wonderful Phoenix Cinema for sign-ins and the intro. Massive welcome to GG newbie Paul who came along to his first run with us this evening – and who acted as a wonder guide as we detoured around to our destination. Be sure to give him a cheer!

After a quick warm up along the road beside the cinema, focussing on ankle, knee and hip mobilisation, we were ready to head off towards this evening's task: litter-picking Glebelands Open Space. Hazel was our trusty back-marker, while Damian and I lead the way, opting for the dark and windy alley ways down the hill.

Once we reached Glebelands, it was time to spread out and clear the main path of any rubbish. The team did great, blitzing the bushes in under 20 minutes, with time to spare for a great photo-shoot running up and down AND a fun little fitness session running up the little hill. I think this week's photos are my favourite of all photos in all the 14 weeks of GoodGym Barnet. I mean, look how incredible Joanna's hair is in that running shot! And those prisoner pulses, which I may just have to include every week for comedic value. And the ridiculous photo of me running in between Freya and Damian – who happen to be GIANTS. I've been laughing for the last 10 minutes sorting through them. Thank you to Hazel for taking some pictures so I got to play too!

We then ran back to base, taking the straight route back up the hill along the high road. A route we're all quite familiar with by now.

Back at base, there was fist-bumping, which Dorian, who was first back after a quick sprint finish, dubbed the Barnet Bump, stretching and biscuits. I'm really enjoying the increased use of alliteration among the team.

The Barnet Biscuit of the week was: Custard Creams.

Impressively, Heather came back with the chocolate bar she accidentally ran away with last week, meaning double treats for the GG Barnet Crew.

We didn't quite make it all the way through the Barnet Biscuits this week, so I gave the rest of the packet to the man who sells the Big Issue on my way home. He was so excited about them that I may have to make that part of the tradition.

Next week we will be running back to Dell Fields carehome to varnish some furniture. Be sure to sign up to run with us!

Don't forget to bring your ID and proof of address if you'd like to get your DBS sorted. Either two letters and one ID or one ID and two letters. Letters have to be under three months old and official-like (utility bills, bank statements, doctor's letters etc).

And finally, be sure to sign up for our last run of the year on 13 December to build Santa's Grotto. It'll be good to get lots of us along, as it's quite far and we won't have as long to get everything finished. Damian has promised to bring a Christmas playlist. It'll be amazing.