Twenty two tremendous GoodGymmers met at the Phoenix to help at a local park.

It was a night of celebration at GGB tonight: the heroic Abi Perrin was joining us for second Good Deed of the day making our group run her THREE HUNDREDTH Good Deed! A mind melting amount of good done across GoodGym - please go and give her a cheer and consider buying her a well deserved drink at the next social!

We were also celebrating Task Force Pesh's 30th birthday! There was a truly exceptional cake contributed by our resident task force member/unofficial social sec/baker/marathoner/ACTUAL DOCTOR/whatsapp queen Mumtaz! Seriously check out the picture.

It was also Paul's birthday on Monday! Which he kept VERY quiet about. HBD Paul. If that wasn't enough, it's also Task Force Vicki's birthday next week. Phew!

To the run! We were joined by Mary for her first ever group run (welcome!) and divided into two groups to set off to our new task at Albert Road Rec. This is a wonderful multi use open space near Muswell Hill that is almost completely managed by The Friends of Albert Road Rec. They asked for our help with some muddy pavement maintenance, which sounded very us honestly.

It's a 3k undulating run so we divided into two with Paul leading off a fast group to go and get started, while I led the second group with Abi back marking for us.

On arrival we were presented with edging tools and buckets and set to work. The verges alongside the pavements had overgrown the pavements, gradually making them very muddy indeed, whilst also obscuring the London red brick that lines the edges of the paths.

We worked for about 25 minutes digging away the edges of the paths, scooping up the soil, and ferrying buckets of soil to be emptied. Making good progress, it was time for our run back.

The return involved a solid uphill km into Muswell Hill, so we decided that this would form our fitness session. Abi led a small group off first, while I led the rest with Vicki backmarking. It was a tough hill but we were rewarded with some flat roads after and then a visit to the pub at the end!

Brilliant work, thanks everyone, and we'll look forward to continuing our work at Albert Road Rec soon.

D

Twelve brave goodgym runners gathered at the Phoenix cinema warmed up and chatted about their favourite books. The weather forecast was poor with the prospect of icy rain and wind. But the sleet never did come as we headed off on the our usual route through the back streets and alley ways of East Finchley. We stopped to do some paired exercises including squat holds and arm presses before reaching the gardens of Stephens house. We were there to meet Peter the gardener who quickly set us to work cutting wood and branches down for the shredder. This involved the use of saws and clippers. Nikki and Katie also went off litter picking. ( Although I think I caught them fencing with the litter pickers!) When complete we headed off down the hill to the house and cafe ( worth a visit). We then did a couple of paired sprints up the hill followed by a group HIT session to music. ( my latest track) One more final run up the hill and a bit of yogic breathing before heading back to the phoenix.

Thanks for coming and doing so good. Keep on being active, helpful and healthy.

Eight goodgym runners braved the wind chilled rain to help deliver leaflets and help a local primary school prepare woodland paths. We chatted inside the Phoenix cinema and met our new barnet runner Niki. Welcome! (what a night for your first goodgym run ..give her a cheer!) The Phoenix is Britain’s longest operating purpose built cinema and is held in trust for the nation. Besides offering films its got a great little cafe with a balcony over looking the high street. (The ice cream is great but not on a night like this! ) We warmed up outside (we tried anyway) numbered up and discussed a favourite film. We set off in the direction of Martin primary school and got lucky as the rain had stopped. This allowed us to split into two groups and deliver a few phoenix leaflets without getting them wet. We gathered again to run a long stretch at a fast pace and soon arrived at the school. John met us and we started using wheely bins and barrows to transfer wood chip to the woodland path a few meters away. As we finished the wind and rain started to intensify so this was the moment to grab a quick group photo and head back down the main High Street. A fabulous effort to do two good deeds in one night. Well done thanks for coming and doing so good. Keep running! (even in the rain)

Eighteen keen Goodgym runners ran to assist the friends of Northway Gardens. Northway Gardens is a linear park comprising three areas of gardens through which the Mutton Brook runs in a channel, lined in parts by weeping willows. The gardens have tennis courts,a cafe, woodland ,open grass and formal gardens. Worth a visit and great for a run. We gathered outside the phoenix cinema numbered up and played a game of would I lie to you. Some very interesting truths and some very cleaver lies! We welcomed Ellie for her first run! ( give her a cheer) and cheered Barnet's Gold placed finish in the January Challenge with notable contributions from Abi (54 GD), Kat (10GD) and Vicki(7GD) But thanks to all who contributed to the 155 (GD) from Barnet. Well done and give everyone a cheer. A great effort! It was a cool night made worse by the wind chill as we headed off with Abiback marking. On route we stopped occasionally to do paired exercises to stay together and keeping warm. We met with Brian at the venue and we set to work carrying the compost bags( of fun) from his car to the gardens. He also sent a team to scrape the path of moss and another repaired wind damage to the pedestrian footpath. When we had finished we headed back along Mutton brook (which forms part of the capital ring) with the wind at our backs. Before we hitting the streets again we did a short aerobic routine to music. (all the latest hits!) We then split into three groups of fast, faster, and quick. Thanks to Rob and Charlotte for leading the way back. Then a very quick warm down (called wind chill!) and a trip to the pub to celebrate Katiebirthday ( give her a shout out). Well done to Mumtaz for an outstanding cake in all senses! ( see picture)

Thanks for coming, running, doing some silly dancing and a lot of good!

We will have a prize draw next week just direct message me with the 'sentence yes please I'd like a prize Paul