Phew, what a scorcher!

A hot summer evening and we started tonight's run by charging up one of steepest hills in Ipswich - everyone was so pleased with my choice of route! Apologies - particularly to Daniela who was joined us for the first time tonight!

With Bishops Hill conquered it was an easy paced, flat run of another mile or so to get to Fresh Start, New Beginnings where we met Patsy, who gave us the instructions for tonight's task. Window cleaning - inside & out with general cleaning required in the offices and consultations rooms.

The windows were given priority, with an inside and outside team working their way through the rooms, while a small team were dispatched to the spring clean the kitchen and others grabbed polish and the vaccum cleaner.

It wasn't long before the smell of polish and cleaning products permeated the corridors and the windows were gleaming in a whirlwind of red shirts. With chores completed we headed outside to the play area for the obligatory team photo........ tonight we had a childrens' slide as a prop!

#GGOlympic2018

With photos done we headed back to the Waterfront.......enjoying the dowhill this time. The night was not quite finished as there was an optional #GGOlympic2018 1 km time trial. I had measured the route earlier - planning a flat and potentially quick, 1 lap course.

With 5k already run some opted for the role of bag supervisor, rather than tear round and additional km. But several of us had a go, with Alex leading the way. Great effort from everyone - Don't forget to use #GGOlympic2018 if you upload your run to strava to be with a chance to claiming a prize - MORE DETAILS HERE

Next week we will return to the Activ Lives - Peoples Community Garden as GoodGym is teaming up with East of England Co-op to host a special run as part of Co-operatives Fortnight 2018.

Just like GoodGym, co-ops make a difference to people’s lives in communities around the country. East of England Co-op share part of their profit every year with their members and invest in communities to make Ipswich an even better place to live.

We’re inviting East of England Co-op members to join us for a run to do some good in Ipswich. Sign-up to the run here to save your place.

The run will be around 5k in total, with the added bonus of no hills!

A great big welcome to Emily joining us on her first Goodgym Group Run this evening as we headed to Activ Lives People's Community Garden

Before we left congratulations were given to those who ran in the Kirton Friday Five race - the second in the summer series.

Weeding Frenzy

As we arrived at the PCG we were greeted by Danny and Trevor with wheelbarrows and tools ready for a massive weeding frenzy! Danny explained that there were several large beds that need clearing of weeds.

Forks, spades and hoes were brandished and after some initial trepidation, on identifying weeds from the good stuff, everyone got stuck in clearing vegetable beds and around apple trees. Full tubs and wheel barrows were sent of to the compost area.

The PCG is a magnificent area but huge and we could only make a small dent in what must be a never ending battle to keep weeds clear.

Our run back to base incorporated some interval training along the river side and an "own pace" run along the waterfront, with some stretching to close the evening.

Next week we will be seeing Danny again but at a different venue - Find out more and sign up HERE