Tonight's GoodGym York Group Run saw us returning to the wildflower meadow at Clarence Gardens to clear the flowers that we had previously sown. We started the night with a bonus litterpicking task in the surrounding area, before getting stuck into the main event with a bumper turnout for an autumn night. Imen had joined the litterpickers for her first ever GoodGym task before deciding to stay on and stick around for the group run. We also welcomed Georgina along for her first ever session. Give them both a big cheer!

Tonight we were finally able to presentJenna with the cape of Good Deeds a little bit later than we should have (so sorry!) but still gave her a big round of applause for competing her 400th task. What an incredible achievement. And we also said well done to Richard who had completed his first ever cross country run at the weekend. Quite remarkable for a man who has done most things imaginable running-wise!

It was then off to the task with Mitch leading a small walking contingent and Nikki backmarking the main group. We were joined at the task by Cara, Jan, James and taskowner Iain who got us underway with some very simple instructions. Basically rake up all of the arisings and shift them over to the skip by any means necessary. Before long there were tonne sacks, wheelbarrows and tarps being moved left, right and centre and the skip started to get full, although a fair chunk of the space was taken up by a buried Mitch! In fairness Mitch and Pete did a cracking job of stomping down the skip so we could continue to fit more in, clearly impressing taskowner Iain who was planning where we could start a new pile once the skip got full.

Before you knew it, it was time to put the tools down and pose for a group photo before this evenings fitness sesh which involved teams of three running in opposite directions, or completing some exercises before then having to meet up again around a coloured cone, where they were then rewarded with a rest or punished with even more exercises. The activity required a lot less explaining than i'd imagined and seemed to work despite some groans from everyone one they realised they all had to complete burpees at the end regarldess of which cone they were stood around.

All in all the gang of GGers shifted a huge load of the arisings, but there's still plenty more to do so we'll be back later in November to finish the job

It was a wet and windy one tonight, but that couldn't dampen our spirits because there was just so much to celebrate this week! We kicked off with a shout out to Stef who took on one of the 'Grim Up North' events at the weekend, and despite his lack of training, managed to get round in a very respectable time. We also give a big cheer to the crew who had tackled the Marathon du Medoc featuring 23 glasses of wine over 26.2 in the French sunshine. More importantly, we also had the news this week that GG regular, Abigail, had given birth to baby Dylan. Huge congratulations to her and Martin. We'll forgive her for not being at GG this week but expect normal service to resume next Monday!

After all that celebrating, and with the rain lashing down, Mitch set off with the walking group whilst Ed led a quick warm up before setting off the running group, ably backmarked by Laura and Babs. We then arrived at Park Grove Academy to be greeted by an already soggy Vicky and Gary who soon got the everyone off to work to avoid any unnecessary standing around. The group were split into wheelbarrow and shovellers, raised bed weeders, tree choppers, willow weavers and rakers.

This task definitely wasn't for fair-weather GoodGymmers as the rain continued to pour down, giving a real test to the new GG branded jackets that were on show. A few people may have spent a bit more time hiding under any shelter they could find, but Ed wasn't going to be too much of a taskmaster tonight as it really was pretty grueling conditions.

There was a little bit of confusion when the walking group were gathered to begin their route home, with word getting around that the task was complete (possibly more out of hope than anything else) despite there still being a good 10mins or so left. But we decided to call it a day before anyone suffered from hypothermia and so downed tools ready for a warming fitness sesh.

Before the fitness began we heard the news that Sophia would be leaving us for a few months in order to go and work abroad. It's been fab having her join us and we look forward to seeing her back next year. Give her a big cheer!

The fitness then involved some wacky relay racing which included lunging, jumping, skipping and crab walking. After the first round of racing we did some traditional birthday squats in honour of Area Activator Vicky's birthday, before a second round of relay races before a dash back to CVS to warm ourselves with Lyndsey's chilli chocolate brownies.

Well - Good Gym have only done it again with Vicky doing an excellent job sorting out our (seemingly now annual) August get together. For both those that were there (but bits of it are hazy) and those that sadly want to know what they missed out on read on….

Yet again Vicky had come up trumps with finding us a great place to stay and this campsite even had a shower. With time to go, the spreadsheet was out there to ensure nothing was missed and lifts could be shared. As is always the case everyone mucked in and brought something essential, whether that be a BBQ, food, wood and of course loads of cake. Everyone arrived on Friday safe and well with Rich setting off on a mammoth bike ride whilst Pete, Egg, Nicky G and Egg enjoyed an excellent social ride complete with coffee and ice cream arriving at a similar time to many others.

With plenty of hands available the gazebo was soon up and the BBQ on the go. Relaxing around the fire pit we were surprisingly well behaved eager for activities on the morrow. Rich went off for more biking whilst Steve did battle with the cows on his own run as he trains for Kielder. Everyone else was destined to Buxton Park Run with a running group heading out before the others to complete a roughly 7k route on the way there. Arriving just as Park Run started, Tristan fought through the crowd taking the racing line (although how he did 500m less Vicky according to watches remains a mystery). Meanwhile Ed who had arrived just in time to start at the front, remained (almost) in front and finished second - congrats to him. Then into the centre of Buxton for breakfast ad thanks to David and Laura for finding a most excellent cafe for that could fit us all in. After that it was up the hill to the temple before a running group ran the long way back to camp and the others drove back to eat cake, chill and join the shower queue. The others led by Pete and Nicky managed to time passing a pub bang on opening, provided too good an excuse not to stop. This may have been needed by Nicky W who managed to walk past a dog the size of a small horse without realising it on the way to rehydrate.

Eventually, back at camp, quick showers and cake was followed by most people walking to the pub. A nice walk that included stepping stones (although superfluous given the lack of water !). Pete waited for Rich who had completed an epic biking challenge that he had started a while ago and in cycling 250 km in the last 2 days was not really fit to walk…A nice meal at the pub booked by Vicky - good honest grub with good service although Rich getting his food last and the tip left by Fergie on leaving were perhaps less than ideal. While some intrepid explorers walked back Tristan, Laura, Pete and James S were able to provide the taxi driving for those preferring the extra tipple. Having said that James T and Steve managed to walk back despite being the last to leave. Then it was all around the fire pit with a beverage with Stef acting as resident DJ.

The next morning the offer of a 0700 start for what Egg described as a “punchy” route was only taken by the usual early birds who knew what they would get with Egg. A great mix of trails, ridges and the off flat bit (i.e less than 5% gradient !) they amazingly finished roughly on expected time and distance. However, there are probably better ways of avoiding the clear up ! Nearing the end of their run they passed Phil, Nicky and David making the best of the weather running to the ice cream shop. By the time they got back everyone was leaving the campsite en route to various cafes or the aforementioned ice cream stop

All in all an excellent weekend - big shout particularly to Vicky but also Ed and all of those that went. For those that have not been on a weekend away or have recently joined Good Gym you might want to get the jan weekend pencilled in your diary - there really is something for everyone...

It had been building for some time, but rumour had it tonight was going to be the night that we finally beat our post covid record turnout of 33 people. Messages were being exchanged between Ed and Vicky every time someone signed up or dropped out and there was still some uncertainty as we got to 6.15 with 32 people meeting us at CVS and a few others saying they would meet us at the task. The tension (probably only amongst Vicky and Ed) was palpable! But first we got cracking with the task at hand and welcomed Joanne for her first GoodGym session just 2 weeks(!) after moving to York. Give her a big cheer 🎉

We also give a big round of applause too Pete who had completed the UKs ultimate swimrun challange, the Frog Graham Round. As well as running just over 40 miles and ascending and descending 15,750 feet over the North Western Lake District fells, Pete swam across Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwentwater before finishing at Keswick’s Moot Hall. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Well done Pete 💪

A slightly injured Vicky led the walking group, whilst Ed led out the runner with Nick bringing up the rear. We then split off at the top of Blue Bridge Lane with Laura leading a smaller group to the Fishergate Trianlge and Ed taking the larger group to the Cemetery.

A group of walkers plus some of the main running group travelled a bit further to the Fishergate Triangle. It’s coming on really well with wild flowers and plants but in danger of getting overgrown with grass and thistles. Our small team got straight to work digging and tugging and by the time we left the majority of the offending plants were out the ground and ready to be taken away to compost. We then headed back to join the main group for fun and fitness!

Meanwhile at the Cemetery we were joined by Elle, confirming our record post-covid attendance of 35 GG Yorkies! 🥳

Taskowner Clive who told us that we'd be carrying on clearing the brambles that we had been working on during our last session. Mitch was attempting his best Sideshow Bob impression by leaving his rake lying around on the floor, whilst Emma wrestled with the brambles and lost, leaving her requiring a very dainty plaster on her nose. Some of the group discussed the pros and cons of burial vs cremation with Martyn introducing the concept of liquidation which is apparently a much more environmentally friendly way to go out from the world! Joanna received a lesson in digging up bramble roots directly on top of a grave, whilst being conscious of not digging down too far, and the rest of the group cleared the biggest clump of brambles with just enough time left over to run the last few bags across to the compost.

It was then over to Tower Gardens (not Castle Gardens) for tonight's fitness session. First up we picked four captains - Babs, Matt, Emma and David, then assigned the rest of the group to each captain. People then took it turns to come and grab a card from Ed or Vicky with each suit representing a different exercise and the numbers relating to the amount of reps or seconds, The joker in the pack was burpees with David's team being unlucky enough to pick out both jokers! After all 52 cards and 2 jokers were dealt out, the two winning teams were tied on 14 cards each, so it was then time for sudden death between the two captains, Babs and Emma. Emma drew 7 lunges whilst Babs needed to complete 8 press-ups and despite some very speedy press-ups it was Emma who came out on top.

It was then back to CVS to celebrate our record turnout with some of Nick and Bab's plums! What a way to end the night