A new task for us this evening with six GoodGymers supporting Abbey People's Swish clothes swap event.

Earlier in the day, Harriet was helping to set up the event, putting up clothes rails, sorting and hanging the clothes and setting up the social space. And of course making time for some dog fuss! The benefit of setting up is seeing all the clothes that had been brought for swapping, and a rather beautiful crochet cardigan caught her eye. It looks very swish!

The late shift (Kate, Sandra, Scott and I) met at Parkside Pools to run to the task. It was our first dark run of the season, and we were all well lit up (and some of us overly reflective). 🔦

It was a longer run than usual as the task was on the other side of town, but it made coming out worthwhile, and gave us plenty of time to catch up on tales of stormy holidays in the Lake District, daredevil dogs, love of zone 2 running, and the joy of hot/cold therapy.

We arrived at the venue to meet Eva, who was already hard at work clearing the clothes and rails. We joined in and helped with clearing more rails, tables (with a very creative storage space), activity boxes, and sofas, and then Sandra gave the floor a good sweep 🧹

With many hands, it was light work, and within 30 minutes we were done! There was just time to enjoy some baked goods before heading back. Will always run for cake 🍰

This session was promoting This Girl Can's Let's Lift The Curfew campaign, which highlights the safety concerns women have exercising at after dark and how this shifts their outdoor activity routines.

Some of us said we hadn't been out in the evenings this week and that the GoodGym task was the reason we got out. We agreed that GoodGym is a great way for women to continue to stay active in a social environment during the darker months.

We continue to create safe spaces to keep active 💛

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✨ GoodGym has designed night safety training for men to support women to feel safe when out exercising at night. You can read more and complete the training here: Women's Night Safety Training for Men

As the nights begin to draw in, our leafleting sessions on behalf of Cambridge City Foodbank are a fantastic way to get some fresh air and your step count up - all while doing some good!

For the first in this year's winter series, Kate and I layered up and met to distribute the revamped leaflets, which Kate carried in a well-stocked backpack. With me recovering from a bug, we took a gentle stroll from our meeting point rather than a run, heading down Mill Road to the other side of the railway tracks and our designated area. With it being just the two of us, we made the decision to stick together to maximise the social aspect, helped by most of the doors being arranged in closely grouped pairs. 👭

With all of the "no junk mail please" doors uncannily being the ones I went to (not taking it personally!), we admired the various stained glass windows and autumn wreaths. We were even treated to a couple of cats and some small but mighty tiny guard dogs! 🐈‍⬛️🐶

Catching up on everything we'd been up to since we'd last seen each other, the main topic of conversation soon became running. It turns out we've both signed up to our first marathons next year! Sharing training plans and ideas and agreeing to do some long runs together, we committed to motivating and supporting each other. 💪

With each of us having a less-than-ideal afternoon beforehand, this task was the perfect antidote and we were both so pleased we were able to make it. Time flies when you're having fun and doing good, and it was the pep both our steps needed! ☺️