16 Goodgym runners met at the usual spot of Lifeleisure Grand Central at 6.30pm to set off for the weeks task.

This week were running in a different direction to hot foot it over to Brinnington to Westmorland primary school, to fix up the raised beds and surrounding areas for the spring time, to make the area clean and safe and ready for the children to plant next year, it was wonderful space for the children, with sunflowers, fig trees, frogs and more, we were very proud to help out and set up the area in preparation for next year.

We had a quick briefing and little mobilisation workout before setting off, the nights task was 4.3km away, so one of our longer runs and so we kept the warm up brief. We set off through the sunny streets of stockport, it was lovely and light as we set off, but the sun was quickly setting, so heres another gentle reminder to say that the evenings are getting darker earlier so its a really really good idea to bring along a head/chest torch and also remember to wear some reflective gear to keep safe and seen!

As the sun set we arrived at the school where we were greeted by “Red” the caretaker who explained that we were to clear and sort the raised beds and surrounding areas. All equipment was set out and well organised ready for us to get to it.

There were 3 main beds and so the team were split into 3 teams of 5 and set to compete with each other, the teams named themselves: potatoes, the hoes and the turn it overs! Very inventive!

The idea was to be competitive and see who could finish their bed first, but if im honest it wasn’t very fair as some were more dense than others, the beds that is, not the Goodgymers!!

We were super close to completing a task when a big frog jumped out at us, and then in the same area we found a little frog and so we decided to leave a small section untouched for them.

After the task was complete we downed tools and got to run back down the hill which was a great relief.

Back at Grandcentral we had a cool down and de-brief.

This week I would like to welcome Clare and Kate, who did fab on the first Goodgym run, it was great to have you join us. Also good luck to all the runners taking part in this Sundays Manchester half marathon! Dont forget your medals for a group photo next week. Lots of mentions to say well done too! As a few people are in hot climates or have been and kept up running, either on jolly holidays or as part as a charity event, well done folks.

Also well done to people who got a place in next years London marathon, I got my usual “not wanted” email for the 8th year……nevermind!

Look out for our 10 wk social event in 3 weeks time, its also Davids 50th task anniversary so a wonderful to celebrate and also arrange a few runs for fun.

Till next week folks, where we are leaflet dropping in Cheadle, keep running,

Lisa x

Blue da de dah da de dah da…….you know the song right?

Anyway the crew of 15 runners last night were not feeling blue, however after our task of painting the school fences at Pownall green primary school we looked it!

15 runners set off from our usual spot of Life leisure grandcentral at 6.30pm.

Last night saw our longest run to date since we launched a few weeks back so it was a challenge all round, and well done to those of you that didn’t think you could manage it, you did!!! Hurrrrahhh 10km in total.

Our warm up consisted of a slow paced run up the A6 looking odd with some high knees, butt kicks and some mobilisation moves, we don’t mind looking daft though, we even got a car honk and holler which is always a bonus.

Now more of us are getting our Good gym T-Shirts more people are seeing what we are up to in the community which is great.

Last nights task was to run the 5km to Pownall green primary school where we were greeted by the lovely Sophie and her children to dish out the blue paint, paint brushes and gloves.

As time was ticking we got straight onto the task of painting the worn and peeling green fences with a pop of colour, making them a lovely shiny vibrant blue for the children to enjoy, as well as looking great, the fences will be protected in time for the autumn.

As the sun was setting and we were beginning to loose light we had a bit of a challenge to get the fence done as quickly and efficiently as possible, we had a great little system on the go and so as a team we managed to get the whole side of the fence section complete before clearing our brushes away and putting the lid on the paint.

After the task we had the next challenge of running back to the start location, so that was another 5km. I must admit we looked like 15 surfs on our return, not only did we have paint on our hands, hair, head and legs but we also had massive grins as we completed another great task, well done team Stockport! Once again you totally rocked.

Once back at Lifeleisure we did a small stretch off and cool down and chatted through next weeks task, which is very very close to start location, its within 1km and so there will be lots of fitness and run challenges next week to make up for the distance, but don’t panic, here at Goodgym were all about variety and adaptations so there will be something for all fitness levels, bit that doesn’t mean you wont work hard…….you will.

News of the week:

The wallet we found last week has been reunited with its owner, who was extremely grateful to get it back, however was confused as he had lost it at the airport a while back.

We now have a Stockport Goodgym WhatsApp group that I have set up, if you want to be added email me at lisa.h@Goodgym.org We also have a Strava group started by the lovely David, thanks dude, so again feel free to join.

As mentioned next weeks task is really close, but please try and bring head torches and high vis/reflective tops so we can keep safe and be seen, the nights are getting darker and its just something we need to be aware off.

Have a fabulous week guys,

Happy running,

Lisa x x

As the weather begins to change, we still saw 11 amazing runners set to the Womens Centre, it was very very VERY close to our start location and so we set off with a fun warm up outside LifeLeisure GrandCentral. From here we ran up past Stockport Art gallery and channeled our inner "Rocky" with some small stair repeats, see photos for evidence, we even had some locals cheer and chant the "Rocky" theme tune.......

With the location being so close we continued to run on past the Womens Centre to a section of land to complete some loops of the area, the challenge was to see how many loops could be done in 10 minutes, there were options for rest, or to speed it up. Everyone worked super hard on this section, so well done guys, you rocked it!

After our run challenge we made our way back to the Womens Centre where we were met by Nicki. She introduced herself and gave us a pile of bags to start up. We started to clean and de-weed the area, whipping and ripping the area into shape! As ever the team took the task with pride and enthusiasm, worked hard and still managed to chat and smile.

Before we knew it, the task in hand was done, the garden and surrounding areas were looking fresh and clean, and can now be used for a relaxing and tranquil space.

Because the crew had loved the stairs at the gallery sooooo much we decided to head back a different route, this time via the park with a a looooot of stairs. At the park we had a small fitness session of stair running mixed with a few gentle laps around the park, which was lovely and peaceful and the birds were still cherping.........

After the session was complete we made our way back to LifeLeisure where we discussed this weeks Stockport 10k on Sunday, and next weeks group run 5km clean up challenge. We finished with a cheer and a good old stretch off.

A massive thanks again for all turning up and working hard, welcome to Jessie who made it to her first northern Goodgym session and Anne for completing her 1st 10km race on Sunday and still showing up to work hard. Thank you, thank you, thank you,

Same time next wk???

Lisa x

19 awesome Goodgym runners ran 1.5km which was a small distance but we had a mamouth task!

It was lovely to see some of the same faces from the launch last week and lovely to meet a few new faces too.

After lying (unintenially!!) to the group on 2 fronts, I had said the task was a small pile of twigs(!!!!) and that we would do some speed interval trainging to make up for it. we set off a steady pace with David as our back marker to meet the lovely Pam Robinson at St Matthews church in Edegely. Pam provided us with bags, gloves, garden equiptment and lots of positive enthusiam, and later on tea and biscuits.

This is where the confusion started, I had spotted a small pile of twigs that would take 10 minutes to clear by the team, but once the gate was open I realised there was a whole other pile of twigs that was HUGE......Whoops.

As well as the mountain of twigs we got stuck in to a few other tasks as the cleaner has broken his shoulder, so we hoovered, cleaned windows, wiped, sorted, cleaned rails, mowed the lawn, and then moved more twigs!

As the end seemed close a few of us had a cup of tea and a biscuit and then got stuck back into the pile ahead.

All of a sudden time seemed short and we were desperate to clear the twigs so we got the speed and determination up, and it was happily decided that the interval training was to be saved for another session.

After reaching concrete on the floor and seeing the huge difference we had made to the space we downed tools and started to run back to Lifeleisure. Once back we ended with a small stretch and a laugh at the size of the " small pile of twigs" i had told the group about.

It was another wonderful task, well done guys you were fantastic,

See you soon team,

Lisa x

45 runners ran 6.0k to help reform the signpost gardens and surrounding areas.

What a fabulous launch night! 45 runners/Amazing humans, joined us at Lifeleisure Grandcentral where we were joined by our partners Age UK Stockport and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. We had a gentle warm up to set our legs for all the hills in the evenings session (sorry!!) After 3 shorts breaks waiting for the magic green man we started stomping up hill number one to our location of Signpost Stockport for Carers in Heaton Moor. The group were amazing, everyone chatted and laughed (grimaced maybe?) up hill one, slight race down hill, where we then ran up the 3rd and biggest hill........(sorry again) Eventually we made it to Signpost where the lovely Julia and Catherine met us with warm smiles and all the equipment we needed for our task of arranging the garden, pulling up moss, painting planters, cleaning windows and sprucing the area up for carers. It looks brilliant, a tranquil, colourful space for people to take some time out to relax, and the windows are also gleaming! Well done team, together we made a huge impact. As well as our run, the night also included a fun fast blast fitness session where we planked and press up'd around the grass, here people were able to work as hard or as easy as they liked.

After the task was complete we made our way back to Lifeleisure for a stretch off, de-breif and a huge massive thank you. People were still smiling at the end of the session, no more than myself who still hasn't stopped smiling, I'm still overwhelmed by the greatness of you all, the atmosphere, energy and sense of community was wonderful. Well done to all of you, Same time next week then eh??..................................no hills next week, promise.