A huge welcome to 2 new runners to the @GGSHEFF clan;

Morven Dockery and Maddy

GIVE EM A CHEER!

We were back off to Lynwood Gardens again this week to continue helping Regather at this urban forest sight. On arrival GORGEOUS GARETH quickly got us into teams and briefed us in the task that this week involved;

• Shifting & Spreading good old wood chip
• Ho-ing down weeds
• Chopping and sawing branches ready for weaving into a weaved house
• Ground Clearance
• Smashing stakes down

It was a hi-hoe, hi-hoe, it's off to work we go for all, with Sister Sledge KIM going for it with the MC Hammer to Fun-guy TERRIFIC TOM (see pic for pun..), to our group of ladies chipping away at their piles all were getting stuck in, can you be-weave it? Well, I suppose where there's a willow, there's a way...

Once we all got packed up we headed over to the nearby by playground that took the group for a walk on the wild slide (Feel da riddem, feel the ride, come on up, it's GoodGym time).

On the way home we had a 'not so secret' sprinter who went off like a rocket off the front for some sprint and return interval work before returning back to base to the beautiful grass to get stretched off until next week!

IT'S A RECORD!

WOW! A new record turnout for @GGSHEFF and on probably the worst night of weather we have seen since we started! A MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who came out, braved the weather and really got stuck in to helping REGATHER!

WELCOME

A big welcome to new runners to the @GGSHEFF family:

• Sergiu Radu
• Andrea
• Rob Kenning
• Katy Coutts

Give em a CHEER!

WET WET WET (I CAN FEEL IT IN MY FINGERS)...

It was a wet one, but spirits were not dampened with the rain, we set off from under the cover of THE HUBS toward our destination of LYNWOOD GARDENS where REGATHER's infamous GORGEOUS GARETH was awaiting with tools, gloves & water ready at the top of a cheeky little climb.

After getting a great brief from BIG G, we split into the following crack units:

1. TEAM SPADES
2. TEAM RAKES
3. TEAM BOX & BAG
4. TEAM BARROW

With Daddy G's floodlights lighting our way we shifted & spread a HUMONGOUS ammount of woodchip into Lynwood Gardens which is being used as a forest Kindergarten.

As we were smashing through the task and the rain was lashing down harder at times we didn't know weather to laugh or cry, but we went for the former with everyone feeling chipper and having a wheelbarrow of a time, swapping teams to ensure we stayed as active as we could in the weather and ensuring no one left with a chip on their shoulder...

GETTING WARMER

Before saying our goodbyes to Poppa G & heading home, to ensure everyone could feel both their fingers and their toes we got warm before setting off back to base with:

• Paired arm locomotion
• Squat jumps
• Static Sprints

HEADING HOME

After getting a heartfelt thanks for our work from GLORIOUS GARETH we set off homeward bound with a few stops on the way to keep the group together and warm. This week featured:

• Ohhhhhhhhhhh the Hokey Cokey
• Side step circles (with added shout outs to the Striders)
• Squats (of course)
• Underpass Madness
• Wall Squat challenge
• Sprint loop backs

STRETCH TIME

On return to base we headed for the cover of the Hubs once more to stretch off and hear the latest news on

• Progress of the Jan Challenge - Keep getting those deeds and KM in!
• Barnsley Group Run - Tues 16th @6pm
• Extra group run this Sun with Friends of Sheaf Valley Park - Details TBC
  
• Barnsley Starter Session - Sat 20th @12pm
• Sheffield Starter Session - Sun 28th Jan @12.30pm
• Langsett 10K - March 17th
• Lakes - June 3rd

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much going on to get involved with, check the website or Wattsapp group for more info.

Until next time, happy running,

Tom :)

We are ONE!

Last night we turned one year old! A huge thanks to all that have been involved with @GGSheff to make it what it is today a really great bunch of people from all sorts of backgrounds and running abilities that have come together to do good in their community and to get fitter. You are all truely a fantastic bunch!

Following a brief inside photo now the clocks have changed we set off to a brand new task in Kelham Island with In2Change a fantastic organisation that work with young offenders to avoid repeat offending and provide users with skills and education at the centre.

On arriving at In2Change we were greeted by MAGIC MARC & BRILLIANT BRIAN who gave us a tour of the building and the project and got us tooled up for the nights task.

As the planned paint job had already taken place we went for plan B which involved some painting of doors and some cleaning of the gym which needed some love to bring it back to sparkling splendor.

Both Brian and Marc were very happy with the efforts of the group and thanked all before we headed off to Craft & Dough for our anniversary celebrations where we were surprised with some generous Prosecco from 'THE KING' Steph Gilmer in his abscence and some fantastic GG cupcakes from chief organiser of the meal Kim Longbon. Thanks to both for your extra efforts and to all that attended for coming together to celebrate @GGSheff becoming one!

Here's to another fantastic year!

OK, every report from last night's brilliant GoodGym runs around the country is going to start off like this but...man, was it HOT last night! So what did 38 of us decided to do? Run up to 10k in the sweltering heat. Because why not.

Sticking to the astroturf in the Tellytubby room last night, we began by welcoming the lovely Imogen, Hugo and Jo to Wandsworth. Give them a massive cheer! We also had a number of intrepid GG tourists last night, so good to see Tom, Dom and Helena, you complete legends. A massive congrats to Tom, who has done the red-black-red and got his red wings tshirt for smashing 100 good deeds. Show us the way, Tom! While we're at it, let's all put our clicking fingers in motion, and cheer on the wonderful Alyx, who has nailed no less than eight good deeds so far this month, and the speedster Jo who has run the furthest (in this heat!). CHAPEAU. Well done, finally, to all those excellent runners who went to Tooting Park Run, and ran, cheered and volunteered - making this park run a brilliant event (despite a club that shall not be named. But as Jo said 'chase this!).

Last week we stuffed no fewer than 1000 envelopes for the local RSPCA branch, which were destined for all their regular donors. I think you all knew what was coming next. Yep, this week we were posting them. Not all of them, mind, but around half made it into our sweaty little mitts. Braving the still scorching sun (did I mention it was hot last night?) we legged it outside for a warm up, and, equally importantly, to find out everybody's favourite ice-cream/lolly/ice pop. There were some liberties taken with the definition, but overall magnum came out king of frozen goodness.

Our initial destination was Spencer Park, which we soon arrived at in the first of what would be a series of very sweaty runs. With a member of the Task Force of Dreams taking a group each, we all took a bundle of letters and set off for various areas around Wandsworth and Earlsfield. Team Jessie's Blondentourage, armed with psychedelic whistle, stormed off first, with each group scarpering in different directions and all aiming to meet back at the same spot at 8pm. The clock ticked on, and bang on schedule, who was it that came bowling over the hill first, but Team Blondetourage! So efficient. They were quickly followed by Team Magdelen, Team Cephalopod, Team Laidback, and Team Roshan-is-cool. There was just one group left, so we decided to crack on with our fitness session. I'm sure they weren't disappointed at all.

We started off with a mighty abs blast, which included three exercises of 30 seconds each in a row, broken up with a 30 second rest. The drills included planks-a-plenty, core triathlon, Russian twists and crunches. A strong core is vital for a good running technique - it stabilises your body when you run which increases efficiency and helps prevent injury. It's also a lot of fun. Maybe (see photos). With the last team yet to make it back (we weren't panicking. Honest.) we moved on to Clusters, which saw some very energetic high five burpees from Roshan and Luke, and the blow-the-whistle game, which revealed some secret crushes, some dodgy maths, and who got a medal in the recent GG Super 'Limpics. We were just about to send out the search parties when our final delivery team appeared over the horizon - hot, victorious, and having run almost 10k. Superstars, every one of you.

With the Wandsworth playlist pumping (find it on Spotify under GoodGym Wandsworth and add your fav tunes), we ran the final stretch back to the BAC, and cooled off with some nice stretches and last bits of news; there is a tag rugby friendly run by Joon Saturday (drop her a message for more info), and don't forget to enter the Strava mile to win trainers for your friends (us). Well done for some sizzlin' running last night, team. After a bit of number crunching, I reckon we clocked over 40k between the groups, and delivered around 400 letters - thereby saving the RSPCA the cost of a stamp for each one. Just think how many puppies you saved.

Next week we're going back to school. Sign up here!

Bank holiday Monday, was no rest for the badass, when seven Royal subjects; Tasked and in glory basked, at Queen's Park! POW POW

On the last day of the Eater bank hols, this stupendous crew of seven Brent Beauties, hit-up Willesden with passion and purpose! Tasking for some awesome community groups in the area and leaflet dropping for all of the above including our lovely selves. The golden ticket event being to make a member of the community smile whilst conversing with them and passing the paper!! I of course opted for sharing a moment with a furry kind of passer by in the form of the cutest Pomeranian Pup known to doggy-kind, who paid me all the gorgeous attention i wanted back with yelps and cries of gleeYAY

So, after the 1.5mile dash to our evening's destination - Queen Park, my regal roamers got to grips with the fitness focus of the night - The 1 Mile challenge...!!!!! And with their Easter Egg hangovers to shake off, my speedsters got in line at the starting blocks and......... 3,2,1 THEIR OFF!!

No I'm not even Egg-aggerating * when I say my crew smashed out some *Egg-cellent work (sorry I had to do at least some egg related puns!!) They all absolutely annihilated their PBs and I mean all of them by at least one full minute!!!!!!! Amazing!!!! However, special shouts have to go out to the first three back - Debs with an absolutely epic time of 6minutes and 20seconds!!!! Closely followed by Sam coming in at 6minutes 35seconds!!! And the second half of Sister Sledge; Tabitha, not only rolling in at 6minutes 40, but taking a clean 2mins of her PB from last time!!!!! Absolutely astonishing!!!!!

So with Personal Bests torn apart and energy running high, the team opted for more fitness fun, in the form of a short bodyweight and plyometrics circuit in the park followed by some bandstand planking in support of the amazing Sadhana, who is 40 days into her plank-a-day challenge. And can I just say WOWWWW Sadhana schooled us all with her core strength and ability, which just proves, consistency everyday, gets results!!!

With perfect 1 minute held planks achieved, we had just enough time for some playtime antics of cartwheels on the grass, handstands and photo-ops, because lets face it, GG Brent never miss a chance to get shutterbug happy when the sun and blossoms are out :)

After playtime in the park, there was just enough fuel in our tanks, to chase pavements all the way back to base for our cool down jaunt of 1.5miles. With chatting and laughter in the air (as always) this fitness familia arrived back at base rosy cheeked and full of pride as the achievements of the eve had finally sunk in!!! WOW I mean, this team may be little but we be fierce and tonight we proved that with gusto!!!

Always a pleasure with people that I treasure. Badass and bold, GG Brent - what a team to behold!

See you next time!!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

Could you hear us last night? Around 7pm, a big cheer from south-west London? Thought so. That was the moment we realised we had set a Wandsworth record! With no less than 41 wonderful runners, it was our biggest run yet. GO GOODGYM. You are all running legends, every single one of you.

There has been some seriously good running recently, a lot of saintly do-gooding, and a bucket-load of lovely news. So here goes.

• A huge well done to you amazing Larmer Tree runners who smashed a tough old trail course. Check out the race team page to find out when the next race is happening. https://www.goodgym.org/race-team • As an extra Monday night bonus we welcomed the lovey new Cardiff trainer Ben to the group last night. GG Cardiff will be kicking off in May, and with ultra-runner and trainer extraordinaire Ben running the show it’s sure to be a huge success. If you fancy a bit of GG tourism, I hear Cardiff has no less than 1518 hours of sunshine during an average year. So there you go. • The marvellous Luke, David and Ben all sped round the Reading half marathon course which was a tough and hilly old job. Well done to those speedsters – give them a cheer, why don’t you? • We had a fantastic lot of lovely new runners to join the group this week. One of the best parts of the weekly run is getting to welcome new faces, we love it! So please all raise your glasses for Sara, Julia, Mat, Ed, Lauren, Ella, Alyx and Holly. Wandsworth, throw a cheer their way, they’ve earned it! And while you’re at it, say a big GG hello to Shanice, Alice and Kike from Lambeth and Islington, who were visiting us for the day! Lovely to have you. • Finally, our HEROES. Whoop whoop, Luke, you ran the furthest. Hurrah David, you are topping the good deed tables and getting the most cheers! Toot toot, Matthew, you are making everyone feel good by giving the most cheers! If YOU want to see where you rank on the heroes board, have a shufti here: https://www.goodgym.org/heroes?area=wandsworth

Phew. With all this do-gooding, fast-running, cheer-giving, high-fiving fun out the way, we were off on our run. With a last minute cancellation (boooo) we had a quick swerve, and headed not for church deep cleaning, but for compost bed filling instead at our lovely local primary school. Luckily (said Ella and Sam) it was still a short run, so off we trotted down the hill, a blaze of red tshirts and happiness.

We were met by Barry, the most cheerful and characterful caretaker you could hope to meet, and set about forming a bucket chain to fill up the empty raised beds. bucket chain bucket chain bucket chain came the chant, which I’m sure the neighbours really loved.

With the beds filled and the buckets chained, we sprinted round the corner for a fun fitness session, kicking off with ‘fish and chips’. It’s fair, I think, to say this worked with varying levels of success but there were still a few burpees being knocked out across the field. We then made a huge circle, with individual runners deciding on what exercise the group had to do while they sprinted to a nearby tree and back. Then came British Bulldog. Always contentious, always competitive, always a huge amount of fun. And this week there was, despite a big effort and a minimal low-level violence, one clear and outright winner. Step forward Dan, and receive your crown. Nice running! Finally we finished off with a squat-off, to see the mighty Jack outlast us all.

Session done, we set off in two groups back to the BAC for some stretches, but not without a good old hill sprint to end the night. And everybody knows that Wandsworth hearts hill sprints. Thinking about technique – positive backwards arm drive, high chest, straight back, light toes and relaxed shoulders – everybody bossed that hill. Way to go.

While we were stretching it out, there was only time left for the CoRUNdrum, courtesy of the lovely Vicki, who we missed this week. St Paul’s was the tallest structure in London until 1962 when which building broke its record? Give Matt a cheer, for the clever lad knew it was the BT Tower in record time!

Brilliant running everyone. Next week we’re off to Balham to form a human chain to clear junk out of a community hall basement. Last time we found a 6ft crucifix and Jen’s new friend Manfred the mannequin. Sign up here to find out what treasures we unearth next….

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/run-to-clear-junk-37fd428c-f5bc-4f3c-a7dd-daf6598de797