13 people ran 4km to donate clothing items to Suited for Success followed by our first GoodGym Brum Social

Fortunately after this mornings autumnal weather it had largely dried up by this evening and although rather windy it wasn’t a bad night for a run. It was good to welcome Owen to tonight’s run who Amy kindly brought along.

Sack race

Once back markers and front markers were sorted, we were on our way to Suited for Success, with sacks full of donations. It was just a short run down there and we were warmly greeted by the team. We had various photos followed by a tour of the premises. Then we were on our way again.

burn up

On the way back we joined the canal, once arriving at Brindley Place, we did a bit of squatting and lunging and then split into two groups, for the last ¾ of a mile stretch along the canal. one group going slightly faster. I lead the fast group, well I say lead until Neal put in some great work burning up the towpath virtually Mo Farah esk! Owen also put a great shift in. The other group weren’t far behind putting in great effort all the way back. We then took a steady run back to 1000 Trades, ready for the exciting bit…….

Social

Once back we had our first GoodGym social, it’s was great to see everyone involved. I left at 8.45pm with still plenty of the group there, so if you do end up down Broad Street, please do send me the pictures, I will be more than happy to add them to the run report! Especially if you have any of Garry throwing some shapes on the dance floor!

Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here.

13 people ran 6km to clean a room at SIFA Fireside

This week it was hello to another GoodGym ‘first timer’. It was great that Laura joined us, everyone give her a cheer! After the ‘intros’ we were on our way down to Digbeth to SIFA Fireside. On arrival, we were greeted by Geoff, who very kindly provided us all with some welcome water on a rather sweaty night.

A load of door knobs

After Geoff told the group a little bit about what SIFA do, it was on with the task, which was to clean all the door knobs in the room, clean the doors, walls, and showers. Everyone looked great in their Florissant green rubber gloves! Once done we had a few quick pictures and we were back on our way!

Car park sess

After setting off back we stopped in a car park, which had some rather spectacular graffiti to do a quick fitness sess. Starting off with wall squats, Sajini, Kate, Morwenna and Charlotte working hard to hold a perfect position, this was followed by some sprints, Graeme, Garry and Neal to the fore. Then chucked in between these were some killer tuck jumps, Laura, Maria and Chloe showing top form. The sess was finished off with some thigh burning high knees running, everyone giving there all!

Two groups better than one?

For the run back we split into two groups, a faster group and a slightly slower one. Everyone was pretty cream crackered after the fitness sess, therefore it did take a little persuading to get a few to join me in the faster group! Once back at base we waited for everyone to arrive and we finished off with the usual stretching.

Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here.

8 people ran 4.5km to clean the gym at the Salvation Army

Tonight, we had a good group of GoodGym regulars, who were out to do good once again. Extra kudos must be given to Chan, Graeme and Garry who ran the Birmingham 10k on Sunday, there legs must have been aching somewhat! Chan never mentioned this once 😉

Off to the gym?!

So, after last week’s rather bizarre weather, tonight we were greeted by a milder evening as we left 1000 Trades. I led the way as we ran just over a mile down to the Salvation Army. To our surprise on arrival we had the Salvation Army ‘social media person’ wanting to speak to us, so after a quick picture, I had a little video interview of what GoodGym Brum does, all good as we aim to spread the word of the uber fantastic GoodGym concept! Once the media ‘doings’ were done, it was on with cleaning the gym, everyone mucking in getting it clean in 15 minutes.

Lamppost sprints

Once our good deed was done we were on our way, but across the road were some nicely spaced lampposts which meant the group could do some short, sharp sprinting. Graeme led the way sticking two fingers up to his ‘cream crackered’ legs, Sajni as always pushed hard on the sprints and Maria went as fast as she could.

Trusty St Paul

Once we got the sprints done we made our way to our ‘bootcamp venue’ St Paul’s square. There the group performed tricep dips, Garry and Sajni smashing them out like no tomorrow, these were followed by heart racing high knees, Kate and Morwenna working hard getting that heart pumping! Next the group went straight into mountain climbers followed by the explosive tuck jumps, Chan was the next person to tell his aching legs (where they aching Chan? You didn’t seem to mention it 😉) were to go by really going for it with the tuck jumps! We then finished the fitness sess with everyone performing a one minute yoga plank, the whole group showing they had a core of steel!

Once done and everyone exhausted it was time for a gentle run back to base, for a bit of a stretch off. Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here.

7 people ran 4.5km to do a litter pick on the Canal for the Canal and River Trust

So on a bitterly cold evening for April, we even had snow walking up to our meeting point, we had six 'hardy souls' joining me on tonight’s run. A very warm (or maybe cold tonight!) welcome to our new runner Sajni, it is great to have you on board! After the introductions and opening our brand new ‘litter picking’ equipment we were on our way to the Canal. On leaving 1000 Trades sunshine even greeted us!

Bag it up!

Once on the Canal we split up in to three pairs each pair clearing a different part of our adopted canal. Everyone did a fantastic job. Morwenna and Sam had the most difficult area trying to clear lots of empty cans and bottles from an area of soil on the canal bank. They were soon joined by Kate and Maria, as you can see from the ‘before and after’ photos they all did a grand job! (Just in case you didn’t realise I haven’t just taken two pictures of some random soil!!). Once five bags were full of rubbish, they did a fast walk up to the Aston Lock to meet Sajni and Garry, who had done another part of the canal. Carrying those bags were a workout itself!

Interval time!

Once we dumped off the bags we were on our way back, incorporating some intervals on the way. Yep seven of the beauties! Sam led the way, out in his shorts and t-shirt again! Did I mention he was a fellow Yorskshireman! Sajni was pushing hard and Kate did great considering she was carrying an achilles niggle. Morwenna and Maria worked well all the way through and Gary kept Sam company at the front. Once the intervals were done it started to rain/sleet (the weather really couldn’t make its mind up!) So, we were keen to head back to base for a little stretch off.

Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here.