One month since GoodGym launched in Cardiff... It's time to celebrate and paarrrtttyyyyy

GoodGym Cardiff launched on May 23rd 2017 and since then we have completed 7 group runs and have also started doing run missions. We've made friends, increased our fitness levels and created a massive impression in Cardiff already. We've set ourselves goals, discovered more of Cardiff than we ever knew before and learned how painful squats can be in the process!

So after our run to Nightingale House, which you can read about by clicking here, 20 runners stayed on and headed to the Cosy Club to... not get cosy with one another (or have a cwtch - to use Welsh terminology), but socialise and celebrate the clubs' successes and have a good ol' chin wag without the need to catch our breath!

Cheers m'dear

We all raised our glasses in good health to one another :D

This gathering was not only a celebration, but it was also a fond farewell, for now, to Ben and Janelle. Each week since GoodGym Cardiff launched they've been running with us. It's been a pleasure getting to know them both in this short time. Ben and Janelle will be moving to Scotland for pastures new and we wish them all the best!

All the best Ben and Janelle - We will miss you!

As this social was mid week, the jokes of ordering a bottle of wine remained a joke... however, i'm sure this joke should only be taken lightly and other socials in the future may contain another wine or two.

Craig shared jokes about cheese... what do you call cheese that's not yours? Nacho Cheese! And then Ben (trainer) mentioned about a time Lucy threw a block of cheese at him, and he said sarcastically "well, that's mature". The jokes didn't stop there.... What did the cheese say when it looked in the mirror? Hello Me! (halloumi). ((Now i'll stop before they get too cheesy)...

Just a personal note from Ben, the GoodGym Cardiff Trainer...

It's a pleasure leading the runs every week. Everyone is so motivated to get fit and use their runs to do good and I love being able to run with such a passionate group of people. Remember I am your GoodGym trainer so do ask me should you need advice with setting goals or working towards a goal you have already set yourself. - With hard work, grit and determination, you can achieve things you once thought were never possible!

Here's a secret video which, if you've read this through to the end, you will have the pleasure of watching. It's Ben, the GoodGym Cardiff trainer when he featured on a TV Gameshow about 6 years ago... Click here for the secret video!

Thanks guys! Keep running with us all - and Until the next social...

Hwyl Fawr

Blue skies, hot air balloons and a polar bear provided the backdrop for tonights run as nine cheery GoodGym runners negotiated a hot 8k up and down the hills of Bear Flat.

BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS

Our task was to distribute flyers to the residents of Bear Flat to spread the news of the Community Market that’s held every third Saturday morning to promote local food and to provide space where the community can get together and share information.

It was a four vs four head-to-head as Dora, Emma, Sam and Becca (our newest member donning her red t-shirt) took on David, Rob, Steve and Tom to ensure we covered all the households on our trusty map.

SWING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING

We resisted the urge to dash down the stairs and go recce the Two Tunnels route ready for the weekends GoodGym nominated race and instead, as it was such a blooming’ lovely evening, popped in to Bloomfield Park for a quick mid-run play… I mean an impromptu improvised Strength and Conditioning session using the equipment for core stability exercises and pull ups!

A canter back along the canal topped off with a walking lunge lap and we were back to base for a stretch out.

Thanks to Sam & Tom for our pun, Emma for back marking and to everyone for a great run and a task well done.

PARK LIFE

Don’t forget it’s the GoodGym takeover of Park Run this Saturday morning, 9am, wear your GoodGym t-shirt with pride and come represent, whether it’s to run, steward or support.

There’s a task to tackle at the Bath City Farm afterwards so sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/saturday-big-farm-fundraiser-event and join the GG tourists as they sightsee this beautiful city.

Good luck to all who are competing in the Relish Running Races events on Sunday.
Happy running everyone.

On a wet midsummer's eve, the heavens laden with clouds, the Goodgym runners convened, united in goal and purpose, for they were to return to the Nuttery. Fifteen-fold in number, and clad in fine clothing as red as roses, they ran three leagues to provide aid to Virginia of Transition Bath and Keith of Dry Arch Growers whose holdings had become amassed with grass as high as the knees.

With haste, save for a few drills for the troops, we arrived at our destination, nestled deep between Widcombe, and Bathwick.

                        SCYTHES OUT FOR THE LONG GRASS!  

The runners began the task of felling the blades of grass with blades of their own, in the forms of scythes of Austrian make, together with fine shears, provided by Keith, who was of great aid in providing guidance on the use of the scythes. Despite the best efforts of the horseflies and an ambush to Ollie from a hidden colony of wasps, their morale was not wavered, when the day was done, the grass was hewn down, and the fruit trees released from its clutches. No tree missed the attention of Goodgym.

After a brisk run back, we arrived back at our starting position, ready to do good another day.

Many welcomes to Becky on her first run, and a thank you to Mary for back-marking, and Pascale for leading while Steph is away, and to Virginia and Keith for all their help!

Many thanks and wanton amusement to Sam and Rosie and Mary for their whimsical quips on the title of the quest. Kudos to the one and only Tom Packer for this 'ere mighty run report.

Should anyone wish to, there will be a social this Thursday evening at the Boater for our end-of-month pub quiz; all are welcome!

A beautiful summers evening in Bath for 16 runners and a nice flat 6k round trip to Alice Park community garden on the east side of Bath along the London road.

To kick off the evening a few announcements to make from the weekends racing within the group.

Saturday saw The Goodgym Olympics at Parliament Hill track in London-

Sam took Gold in the 800 meters ... Whoop!!

Emily 5.0 km 24:30 Alison 0.8 km 03:09 and 5.0 km 23:17 some very respectable times from both ladies on an unexpectedly hot day.

Rosie and Steph did the three legged race, Rosie egg n spooned.

Steph was disqualified from sack race for wearing it on her head and Rosie and Emily took part in the relay event.

All in all a fabulous event and everyone went home with a medal.

Sunday was Chew valley 10k race results-

Ollie 39.17 6th overall 4th in category

Cosmo 42.27 31st overall 18th in category

Jo 51.02 200 overall 19th in category PB

Steph 53.51 280 overall 4th in category

Well done everyone.

Welcome to Rob joining us for his first GG run... Whoop!!

Tom kindly led the group with Ollie along the canal for a more scenic route to our task destination at Alice Park, our host Kathy was there to direct the troops for a spot of hearty hedge maintenance. This involved some bind weed pulling and nettle trimming along the community garden hedge,

it was like pretty maids all in a row

Ollie, Rob Mary and Emma diving into the wild area with Steve joining in for good measure to cut everything back clearing the pathway but ensuring to leave elderberry flowers and bramble flowers intact for fruit picking at a later date.

35 minutes in total spent on the task with a last minute dash to bag up the bind weed and gather the cuttings to the compost area for sorting.

Group photo had to be taken in the lovely willow arbour made from willow cut at a previous task for Goodgym at Bloomfield orchard. Kathy had kindly gathered some fresh produce for the group to enjoy and take home, the strawberry eating made a fine Boomerang and didn't we look strange on the run back carrying lettuce and radish.

We made it back in the nick of time for a stretch out and vote on tonight's pun, it was a draw with a combination of Sam's and Nicolas Alice themed puns.

Thank you Tom and Ollie for leading and Alison for back marking and Sam and Nicola for fabulous pun.

Finally it is with great sadness to announce the departure of Emily and Rosie from GG Bath, they will be greatly missed but we will be having a farewell dinner for them before the Two Tunnels event. Details to follow

Thank you everyone for just being you and being fabulous folk to run with and have fun