It was just the perfect morning for a group of GoodGymers to start the Couch to 5K programme. And having volunteered at ParkRun they were fired up and ready to go. Gill was leading the group and started off with some dynamic stretches to get everyone warmed up and raring to go. There was some trepidation about what they'd let themselves in for, but by the time Gill had explained the programme and the runs and walks for Week 1 Run 1 they were all assured that they could do this, and start their journey towards getting fitter and being able to run for 30 minutes.

I'm not sure how much they appreciated my gentle "encouragement "to keep up a brisk walking pace, but there was no grouching form anyone, and we enjoyed the walk and running intervals in a beautifully sunny and quieter park. When the half time bell rang we all gave a cheer knowing that we had done 4 out of the 8 of our 60 second runs and hadn't come to any harm.

The next 4 intervals and final 5 minutes walk went relatively smoothly and everyone manage to complete them all. There were hugs and whoops all round, before Gill insisted on some cool down stretches.

The group were amazing and full of enthusiasm. Off the couch without any grouching - well done to you all. I hope you're looking forward to your next run.

To Wardown Park for our monthly effort to fill as many volunteer roles as possible for our friends at Luton Wardown Parkrun. We were a big and vocal presence, setting up the course, marshalling (with extra cheers) scanning barcodes and helping to close down the event. Not an official volunteer role, but ‘goose-wrangling’ was also an essential task this week!

We had a fabulous turn out from GoodGym to support at FoodCycle this afternoon, and with a fridge full of eggs the cooking team had to come up with some new and innovative ways of using them to produce a delicious and nutritious meal. Gill had arrived early and made a start on pudding - using up some of the chocolate Easter eggs that had been donated a while ago, and about 20 hens eggs to create some delicious chocolate tarts. Lucie and Gill then made a start on the main course with some help from one of the new FoodCycle volunteers and one of our more experienced friends. Peppers were decapitated, roasted and then filled with a spicy rice filling and topped with an egg. The starter was a delightful crushed and roasted potato dish made up by two more of the FoodCyclers.

It was good to have Sam back with us on pot washing duties -she is incredible at this vital role. And Darshini joined us as a host along with Susannah, and Chrisshane (who was eggperiencing her first time as a volunteer at FoodCycle. They did a grand job of setting up the tables, serving the guests and clearing up afterwards.

It really was an eggcellent effort from everyone and the guests were eggstatic about the delicious meal.

On a lovely warm summer evening as the sun settled down in the sky this band of Goodgymers made their way by biking running and walking to the Riverside Meadow beside New Bedford Road. Welcoming Chrisshane and Omayemi to their first Group Run. 👋🏻

Our mission for this evening was a familiar one, uproot all the Goldenrod. We've met this plant before which is invasive and trying to take over on this meadow, but it's back to test us again. It is noticeably thinner than in previous years, a good sign that we are winning, and there was a good mixture of native plants in the gaps we have cleared.

So we got stuck in and started pulling at the clumps. We made good progress and managed to clear about half of the field before our time was up. We'll be back soon to finish the job!