On GoodGym York's ONE YEAR anniversary, we had a record-breaking attendance and completed two tasks for the local community.

We welcomed three brand new runners to the gang tonight, so a big shout out to Brett, Hayden and Chance - give 'em a cheer!

With the two teams for the two tasks set, we headed off in opposite directions as a genuinely concerned member of the public told Leanne that some people had gone the wrong way. The traffic lights to cross Micklegate take so long that we often get to talk to members of the public and many a random pedestrian has been educated about GoodGym there.

Task #1 Glen Gardens: digging and leaf clearing

26 runners met Iain at the gates of Glen Gardens; he wanted us to entirely dig over a corner plot in the park so that it was ready to be seeded with grass. He also wanted us to clear all the leaves along the outside of the tennis and basketball courts.

A squad of four leaf clearers grabbed their big scoopers and ventured off to fill many bags of leaves whilst everybody else got straight into the digging. When over 20 people are digging, it really doesn't take very long but everybody was happy to keep it going because digging keeps you really warm.

Digging, however, is also very hard work and the minute I called for some extra support for the leaf team, Bev, Helen and Maddy were straight in there - Bev even did some extra running getting more of the big green bags.

In just 25 minutes, the whole patch had been entirely dug over and raked to smooth perfection by Shelley, Amy and Leanne. The leaf gatherers had filled 8 bags and our work was done.

We ran back to a tunnel on the cycle path to complete our *flashback workout', repeating some of the exercises we did at our very first run one whole year ago. First up, it was wall sits and sprints in teams of two. Poor Rob was partnerless so I jumped in to keep him company and we (mostly Rob) were a dream team of quad strength.

After the tunnel, we ran on to Morrisons Tower for the final part of the flashback workout, where six teams completed six rounds of exercises including:

• Bench press ups
• Tricep dips
• High steps
• Star jumps
• Jumping sit squats

There was some seriously hardcore effort going on as Shelley showed her press-up prowess, Alaya did some brilliant clapping bench press ups and new runner Hayden beat his own record for number of press ups in one go.

The push ups made my face hurt! - Hayden

Bev also showed us her best thrusting, which we all loved.

Task #2 Painting lines on the sports pitch at Woodthorpe Primary School (report by Tim)

6 intrepid good deeders struck out on their own to lay down some beautiful (if not quite straight) football pitches. Led into the school by expert football pitch line designer Michal we grabbed our paint and some string and got working. After some good (and not at all wonky) work from Ellie, Carl quickly took the helm of our painting.

I'd be happy with just one line not doing all of them!" - Carl

Carl's expert manoeuvering saw us zip round the two pitches only running into slight trouble with the centre oblongs... sorry circle.

It's a lovely... apple! - Michal

Before we knew it time was up and we left Michal to lock up whilst Paul led us home at an excellently swift pace allowing us to all count it as speed training!

An amazing crew of 26 GG Yorkies ran to the YHA to help paint three rooms as part of their volunteering week.

We welcomed along two newbies to the gang, let's give a big cheer to Elder Palmer and Elder Leavitt.

After a nice peaceful run along the Ouse, we arrived at the YHA to be met by Hannah - who led me through the corridors and explained where we all had to go. She also said that everything had to be white. Easy. Our task was to paint three rooms; ceilings, walls and all. I successfully navigated through the maze of the hostel to rooms 6, 7 and 8.

Some people took 'everything had to be white' a bit too literally. I turned my back for less than 30 seconds and Nick already had it on his shoes, Jack and Ellie had war paint and Shelley...

I'm absolutely covered - Shelley

I can't describe room 7 as anything other than pandemonium.

Nick's end fell off!

Nick had managed to pick up the only dodgy roller, it had fallen off whilst covered in paint and made a right mess. Fortunately there was already a dust sheet down but everyone was banned from leaving the room until they'd had a thorough foot inspection.

Meanwhile, room 6 was very calm and organised and in room 8, Aidan had come up with an ingenious method of painting the ceiling which involved having a nice lay down on the (dust sheet covered) top bunk. Very effective.

I had already discovered some white footprints but Christine and John were all over it with the amazing heavy duty wipes that take paint off any surface. Christine did an amazing job of cleaning up the carpet and John was on doorway duty of room 7, which resulted in him becoming the official shoe cleaner.

Do Lizzie's foot, she's been standing on one leg for 5 minutes!

After a very efficient clean up operation of wrapping all the brushes and rollers in polythene, we headed back towards the river for an attempt of a massive group Indian file.

It's going to be as organised as a clown fight - Stef

To my utter surprise and amazement, it worked! 25 runners stayed steady and together all the way to Scarborough Bridge with the back runner sprinting to the front in turn. The only thing that caught people out was the occasional massive puddle.

Some people - having had a taste of the sprint - couldn't resist and went for the sprint finish past the station and back to the Premier Inn, whilst the rest of us carried on having a nice chat.

Til next week!

T'was the night before Halloween on a cold and clear night in witchy Worthing

I was so pleased to welcome our newbies and regulars to our first 'dark' task since the clocks changed.

Welcome Hayley, Roxy and Katie. We hope that you felt the warmth of GoodGym Worthing on your first ( but hopefully not your last! ) task.

Also a special mention to Paula and Tamsin on week 2 of their GG experience.

I cant continue without a mention to my amazing regulars the 2 B's ( Beth and Belinda) Gill , Michelle, Anne and Nick.

Torch n' go - Another amazing challenge

After a relaxed warm up we arrived at our second visit to Worthing Churches Homeless project in Byron Road where we were warmly welcomed by Katie and Luke.

Maybe I say this every week but we just seem to get better and better at our tasks. This week was like another ground force makeover.

The team excelled themselves with Paul chief sweeper with the large broom. Gill took control of the secateurs ( naturally !) for her usual fine pruning and Nick got down and dirty under the trees with some grim reaping! Katie, Beth, Belinda, Anne, Roxy, Hayley and Tamsin were certainly ' weeding up appearances' on their hands and knees in the beds.

Many hands make lights work

After a swift and effective 30 minutes , a quick photo shoot together with some basking in reflected glory the team set off west towards the seafront where we stopped for a fitness session jointly hosted by Beth and Belinda.

Though this be madness, yet there is method in sprints

With Julia's relay sprints combined with strength and cardio exercises followed by the number game with Beth there were certainly some raised pulses and glowing faces!

The group were then given the option of a steady or tempo run back to base.

No ! The dog ate my fitbit

This was my favourite quote of the night when I asked Paul if he had measured the distance.

We counted every one back in and had a chuckle about Beth being number 12 :):):)

Great vibes and banter this evening with our biggest group to date.

Thanks everyone

Lots of GG love

Julia :)