Eleven merry GG Brent-ers, ran 5k to Ashford place homeless shelter. Dropped twelve bags of warm clothing donations and finished the night with a bodyweight training session of sprints, box jumps and the 100 SQUAT CHALLENGE Just your average Monday in West London then!!! POW POW

The night was bright and clear and we were full of Goodgym Cheer, as we gathered at our local for the housekeeping and catch up bit. To my absolute delight, we welcomed back into the fold - Regular Neil, back for his first injury-free run this year and the awesome powerhouse fam that is - The Ananda's YIPPPEEEEEEE and joining Dimple and newly engaged Nisha (Yay congratulations!!!) was Jessica too.

Making up the gang this eve was our usual gaggle of gorgeous gals - Sister Sledge/Tabitha and Debs, Epic Eliza, Luscious Liz, Miss smiles and energy - Kapow Karen and the bold and beautiful Beth (who actually loves my mad ranting run reports!!! Yes)

So despite the cold, we courageous crew, head out into the darkness to speed the half mile dash up to Ashford Place Community serving powerhouse and homeless shelter based on Ashford Road Willesden. Serving the community in more ways than one, offering support for carers of dementia sufferers, art class, languages and a warm and safe home for 33 people who are without a permanent home!!

Having spoken to Danny the manager last week, I determined that they have a distinct lack of warm clothing to offer residence and furthermore the people who they cannot actually house for the night..... AHHH HAAAAAAA My brain began to tick....... What if we actually put some of those Christmas and January sale clothes to good use???

So out to the masses I did shout and my red shirted band of Robin Hoods returned my call (just to confirm there was no stealing involved lol) So bags in hands, we ran and soon enough dropped our donations into grateful hands.

After the drop, it was best foot forwards and onto Gladstone Park. With all of my imagination I came up with the most effective combo for my crew that would boost their Jan fitness goals; Fat Burn, condition Muscle and up endurance.

Split into teams, what followed was a 3 x circuit of: Box/Bench jumps, Bodyweight Squats and Sprints. smashing out an impressive 100 Squats!!! 70Jumps and 3X Sprint repeats, this team demonstrated that they can pack a punch when it comes to positive energy - from within and giving back.

A short cruise home, took us the cool down route back to base camp. With chats of nutrition and goals, glad tidings and gains, fitness and fun and with our Goodgym Brent, no one was glum.

Until next time....

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

Happy New Year!! Was the cheer from the 12 on mass, doing the dash, in a flash, with a whole heap of sass! That's one big welcome back from Goodgym Brent. POW POW

On the most FREEEEZZZIINNGGG Evening of recent months, 2017 was kicked off with a ferociously frosty start. But not letting that swine Jack frost stand in our way, warming up the atmosphere was the beaming faces of the courageous crew who bravely stepped up to the plate, for the first Goodgym Brent of the year! Horrah

Joining me on week one was a gallant gang of fabulous familiars; Dan the (only) man, Foxy french Isabelle, Lovely Liz (fresh from smashing her 5k goal time woo hoo), Clare Mouse in the house Moscrop, The one and only Les-Sharpes, and Debs and Tabitha (aka Sister Sledge). Joining the ranks were also three sensational newbies Lois, Karen and Beth, all just as motivated to kick start the year with some awesome Goodgym community spirit and fitness fun!

Task Master

So after housekeep and welcomes the crew set to work on the task at hand and paper-chased their way into January with a leaflet drop and healthy trot around the glorious borough of Brent. Encouraging the masses to crack a smile and join us for the weeks to come of community do-gooding and working off the Christmas puddings.

First Celeb spot of the year

With our sights set on the track for the night (The Queens Park 1 mile challenge) the team continued weaving through the streets while sprinkling the Goodgym message. Not 1 mile from base did we stumble across our first celeb sight of the year, 'Friday night Dinner' TV actress Tamsin Greig who we accosted on her doorstep with our leaflets and POW POW positivity. With her hands otherwise engaged carrying a dangling child she shouted Put the leaflet in my mouth so Lois happily obliged!

Show business

Once the 'Show biz' spots were behind us, we got down to the real business of the night, the ready made track - One mile circumference of Queens Park. Lining up the troops timer at the ready, just about to begin, we were joined on mass by another runner, excited by the positive vibes we were pushing out like a tornado. So, never missing a chance to recruit, we joined forces with our solitary runner - Toby, who joined just in time, for stop watch special of the one mile challenge. Delighted to join the club he stepped up to the plate with the rest of the team and it was THREE, TWO, ONE and their off!!

Dozen get better than that

With our gang of 12 rolling deep the dash went off in a flash and before long the athletes were gunning down the last stretch in impressive form! Every single runner coming in under 9mins with the first in place just shy of 7! Amazing!!!

Homeward bound

Breathless and steaming (literally steaming) a quick stretch and catch of breath and the team were off once more. A gentle cool down run took us the last mile back to base, with chats and laughter in the air. So much fun to be had that we barely even felt the cold, that was until back at The Queensbury we all walked in dribbling down our frozen faces. LOL

It was an absolute pleasure, a first week back I shall treasure! See you next week to continue the New Years' Runsolution to a life of passion and purpose.

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE