May the force be with the wonderful 13 runners who turned up this evening for a scenic 5k run out to Alice park community Garden, itself a Little Gem on the eastern side of Bath http://transitionlarkhall.uk/alice-park-community-garden/

One Task rained off

Our second task was postponed again due to the imminent rain but never fear next week will be fine.

Nice to see a few familiar faces back tonight

A warm up and headcount with chance for the individuals to tell us something interesting about themselves, a perfect way to encourage everyone to chat to each other whilst running, so this evenings run was very much a socially encouraged one. The run out was a scenic one taking in the Kennett and Avon canal for the most part to edge of London Road and across into the park itself.

Hello Kathy

Our host and lead to the many volunteers who help out in the garden during Volunteer days and in general. Kathy gave a brief insight into the community garden before setting us up with a list of jobs that needed doing at this vital part of the growing season here in the community garden.

Glove Love and Green Fingers

3 group tackling different areas of the garden. We had one group weeding through the fruit beds and mulching afterwards with grass cuttings. Another group digging in the manure before sowing their potatoes, all eyes up on this one and our final group assembling an archway for the beans to grow around.

Mayday Mayday the poles are up

30 minutes later and a whole lot achieved from our wonderful bunch of Goodgym Volunteers.

The run back consisted of those who wished doing a whole lotta sprints and looping back, Hannah was even weighed down with my backpack.... Well done guys!!     Thanks to Ally for back marking and Alison for tonights pun for our group run.

its our group social next week and we are off to the cinema to watch Skid Row Marathon, so if you fancy coming along get sign up and buy your ticket https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/a-trip-to-the-cinema-to-watch-skid-row-marathon  

A delayed start to spring but no delay in the 16 runners coming along for a 4k hilly run to Park Street Guerrilla garden to help Bill out on the community garden.

A few announcements and lots of cheers before heading out this evening

Double Heroes!!

Goodgym Bath coach runner Sarah has gained her wings with 100 Good Deeds and Steve has hit The Big 50 and become stealth like earning his black T-shirt, so CONGRATULATIONS to both.

Marvellous Marathoners

Double cheers for Sam (aka Paul) on completing his first Marathon in Paris and didn`t he do well, Pascale our seasoned marathoner on completing Taunton Marathon making that number 46 …. Great work!!

New face tonight ... Welcome Farrah poached from CAMDEN and she loves our hills.

The run out involved a little bit of hill climbing but nothing we aren`t used to in Bath and well worth it for the architectural beauty taken in on route to prove a great distraction and some additional speedy loops around the Circus for the faster members in the group before taking in The Royal Crescent and final push up to Park street itself where Bill was eagerly awaiting our arrival.

All for One and One for All

The Goodgym Musketeers to the ready weeding and ensuring the foot path was relayed with fresh bark chips by EMMA and kept clear of any overhanging growth, in all it took just 30 minutes to complete the task and Bill was left a very happy chappie, but we certainly need another visit here with lots to keep us busy.

THE WORM TURNS

In the firm of a few hill reps for those naughty ones in the group, not sure how our snap chat queen avoided these but theres always next time.

We headed off down the hill for a synced fitness session and core work on the Crescent lawns, a bit more practice is needed, it was even suggested that we have a dance class social.

Alison had a mini photo shoot for a health magazine for her recent interview with JO Willacy, looking forward to reading that one. Thanks to EMMA for back marking and to BARRY for a fabulous pun.

Goodgym Bristol is celebrating their 5th Birthday on Friday, so why not come along and show your support for our Goodgym neighbours https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/goodgym-bristol-5-year-celebration-a773c9e9-b290-4f61-9f0a-b2a40ee13b17

15 hardcore GoodGymers walked 3km and made 15 beds for the homeless at American International Church

Wow you guys are beyond amazing, 15 people in this weather is incredible! The beast from the east ain't nothing on GG Camden, we're the best innit. Welcome and huge cheers to Abbi whose first time it was last night - awesome!

In the news this week:

1. Next Wednesday at GG Camden there is the biggest task of the year at Southbank Centre helping Grounded Ecotherapy lift a lot of crushed concrete. If you are free please come along!
2. Next Thursday (8th March) is GG Monthly Drinks in Greenwich, come along for puns, fun and drinks!
3. Well done to Rosie for smashing Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday in 1.34 - boom!

Ain't snow stopping us now. In some of the harshest weather to hit the UK in years, 15 of Camden's finest gathered together to trek across the St Pancras/Russell Square area to help make beds for the homeless. On an evening like last night making those beds for the guests at the American International Church seemed as important as ever. I thought earlier in the day whatever happens those beds will be made, whether I'm alone but I didn't have to fear I had a team of good-doers.

March of the Camdenites

Upon our arrival at the Church we got to work making 15 beds for the homeless and the support staff staying there that night. It's all about your technique with bed making, it seems Beth Nelson got lost in the bed (must have missed the health and safety briefing). The quickest bed makers went to finish off the job in the other room.

Truer words haven't been said: "Snow way Camden will let you down". Jenna from C4WS emailed me this morning with WARM regards for our work:

THANK YOU to the team for braving the snow and freezing temperatures last night to help us with the shelter.

We opened the shelter slightly earlier for our guests, and the efficiency of the runners made this process very smooth.

We are extremely grateful.

Five of us made it to the pub to talk about the 90's and warmer times - do you remember laying on the grass? Or struggling to keep your beer cold? We don't. We will soon.

See you next week for the biggest task of the year.

Stay safe. Stay Warm.

PB out.

31 GoodGymers made 12 beds for the homeless and did Char's brilliant fitness session

Welcome to Lucy whose first time it was last night, also lovely to have Tim and Nick from GG York along for the evening and of course thank you to Char (New Liverpool Trainer) who was getting a taste of GG Camden last night!

Last night was the beginning of a 10 week slot where we make the beds for C4WS at the American International Church, I believe this is some of biggest amount of GOOD we do for Camden all year. We are essentially making beds for people to sleep in that night, what could be gooder.

After a great dynamic warm up led by Char we headed towards Goodge Street, bouncing around the busy streets of St Pancras and Russell Square for 1.8km. Upon our arrival we entered a room with lots of empty mastresses and bags of bedding. Jonathan from the American International Church, who heads up the shelter on Wednesday evenings, spoke about the importance of their work in Camden and how we helped each year.

Bed time!

The race was on - who could be the quickest pair to make a bed - armed with sheets, pillows, sheets and even a towel for the guest. People had various new and old techniques, Richard Foster appeared to make about 3 beds! Jacob and Imogen made their bed the fastest - very neat toooooo!

As we were packing up Jenna, from C4WS, talked about the amazing impact the charity was having on homeless people in the area - getting them rehoused, providing counselling, language classes and steps to move forward. This is truly inspiring stuff and it's fantastic to be apart of it.

Char's Star Jump Fun!

We headed to Russell Square for our evening's fitness session where Char took control, we did the following:

• Fast Lap of Square in 3 groups with various conditioning exercises added before each group went off
• Conditioning Sesh - Squats, Calf Raises, One-legged Calf Raises and Balancing - NICE!
• Another run around the Square!
• Star Jumps Relay!

Thank you to everyone for coming and to Char for leading the fitness session!

See you next week where we'll be making beds for the shelter and painting a cafe called Flapjack! Mmm flapjack..

PB out