This session was very much about marking a huge milestone for Sharon, four hundred good deeds. It's not possible to do that level altruism justice in a few words, but I think we all have an inkling for the amount of graft and dedication that it took. So we doff our GoodGym caps to the one and only, Sharon.

We also did a Group Run, with this week's RWQ courtesy of our visiting guest, Dev: "If you could have four hundred of anything what would it be?" Four hundred different types of coffee, four hundred different packets of crisps, four hundred hours in a free store that sells everything, four hundred plants, four hundred hours in a day and four hundred extra square metres of home. A great selection of answers to a tricky open question.

Claudia and Hilary met us at the warehouse where shelf building was on the agenda. We moved into two teams of four and got to it. Richard oversaw and occasionally gave very faint hints disguised in questions. They had been constructed a few times before, so had seen some wear and tear, meaning alignment wasn't as easy as we would've hoped. Together we made 5 shelves, in just under an hour, rewarding in its own way, a task that was all about team skills and whacking stuff into place.

The evening ended with loaded fries, pizza, chocolate, flapjacks and percy pigs - as we re-energised our depleted gycogen stores for next week, very important I'm sure you agree.

Sign up here for next week at Cody Dock and have a great end of week and weekend.

Till then,

B

After a weekend of braving Storm Dennis (also known as Winter Storm Mabel, a weakening European windstorm which became one of the most intense extratropical cyclones ever recorded), 20 happy Goodgymmers were treated to a pleasant wind and rain free evening of running and good deeds!

Storm Ciara came along 2 weeks ago and Storm Dennis was just last weekend- before heading out for our warm-up, we asked the Goodgymmers: "What the next storm be called?" (must be a female name beginning with "E"). Our responses were as follows:

• Emma
• Edna
• Esme
• Evelyn
• Eleven- like from Stranger Things
• Emily
• Eva
• Eugenie
• Errrrr.....

Single Homeless Project

Our crew made their way up Holloway Road (past a few road crossings and long traffic light breaks- might try some back streets instead next time), and towards 104-107 Mercers Road, two sites for the Single Homeless Project. Last year, a team of our runners did an excellent job of shoveling almost 4 tonnes of wood chip and mulch into the front yard of number 107 (we needed to get it all off the street before the end of the night, and we battled with the elements!). This time, we were requested by Regina the volunteer coordinator to carry bags of the wood chip from 107 Mercer Road to the back garden of 104 Mercer Road (approx 200m away).

We had a good system going, with our group slitting sharing the roles of bark shovelers and bag carriers between them. The trick was not to over-fill the sacks, as 200m can be a long way to walk when you are encumbered with woodchip and mulch! Another small team assembled in the garden at 104 Mercer Road, helping to prepare some bulbs for the upcoming spring season, and making sure that the bark was offloaded in the right locations.

A really satisfying task- it is amazing to see a huge pile of bark start to deplete as the Goodgymmers crack on. SHP are dependent on our contribution to fixing up their gardens, and are super appreciative of the work we have completed so far. We will be back again next week with some new tasks too!

We jogged our way back to the Arsenal Community Hub, and Graham demonstrated a few cool down stretches before we finished up for the night. Trainer Simon had a few digestives to pass round too, continuing the GG Islington biscuit tradition.

NEWS

February CREOS Community Mission

One of our classic monthly community missions will be happening this weekend (Sunday 23rd February- rescheduled from last week). Lovely gardening and green space maintenance task located near Wood Vale, Crouch End (assisted by the community for over 50 years). Typically followed by a picnic, a chat, hot drinks and occasionally some cider! A really pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

More info and sign up can be found here.

The Big Half is coming!

Come and support our Goodgym runners at one of London's best half marathon events! On Sunday 1st March, we have plenty of folks from all different GG boroughs participating, and loads of friends assisting on aid stations too.

If you would like to sign up to volunteer on one of these stations, you can find more information about this here.

Whether you are running, supporting or cheering, everyone is invited join us for drinks and food in London Bridge after the event (which finishes in Greenwich- our plan is to avoid the crowds!). Sign up here for the post-Big Half meet up.

Hackney Half 2020 aid station

Sunday 17th May sees the return of the amazing Hackney Half marathon, and Goodgym have committed to manning the Mare Street aid station on the course. This is the best place to see the race, and is one of the highlights of the run- loads of crowd support, feels like a party! 25 volunteers are required to make this happen, so sign up quick to avoid disappointment. Aid station volunteers will also receive an entry for a future Virgin Sport event (e.g. Oxford Half or ASICS London 10km).

Sign up here, and add your name to the list!

An action packed morning on the east-side.

Commencing our triple-threat start to the weekend with Hackney Marshes Parkrun. PB's were collected, SB's too, some chatted and socialised others got their head down a bit more. We all left perked up, more virtuous and ready for stage #2.

Ange, Hilary and Dev (congrats on your first official session!) met us at the Adventure Playground. Three groups worked for 45 mins, moving mulch (classic), clearing/sawing/pruning a wild section needed for a tower (of course) and hacking down some unwanted nature to install a skate ramp. I might be biased but a great job done - a few of the team had a well earned play after - then we departed for stage #3

Breakfast Club - i'm not going to delve into a description of our breakfasts, although I could, but rest assured it was excellent and a delightful way to wrap up our morning.

Sam and Isabelle it was a pleasure - hope you guys come back again. 6.45 pm every Wednesday

See you beauts in T - 2 days

B