On a deceptively warm July evening, Claire was greeted by new runner Rachel and Barnett tourist (and soon to be GG olympic rival) Rob watching the tennis, soon to be joined by another first-time GoodGymer, Indranil, Thenuka, Pete, Marcos, Liz, and last but not least, Samina. Claire gave everyone a briefing, explaining that Pritesh was having a rest after going to the legendary Glastonbury festival at the weekend so she was taking the reins temporary. After a quick warm up, we headed down to Queens Park Garden, a good 4km run each way. We got there after a couple of minor detours (thanks Pete for getting us back on track again!) and a brief squats session (thanks Rob for motivating us!), while Liz and Rachel walked to the task and joined us a few minutes later. We were greeted by two Queens Park Garden volunteers who had all the tools prepped, we quickly split into groups as there was lots to do. Pete and Rob rose to the occasion and got stuck into some dead-heading, Samina and Thenuka blitzed the litter picking, Marcos, Indranil and Rachel took care of watering the thirsty new bedding plants, and Liz and Claire did some weeding. The time shot past, and it was soon time for a final group photo and to head back up the hill to the Queensbury, with Claire and Rachel forming the walking group on the way back for a pint of lime and soda...

And what better way for the newest arrivals to GoodGym Brent to get settled in than to come to the first ever Brent-hosted social this Thursday evening at Bokor on Kilburn High Road...? Just throwing it out there, hope you can make it!

Thanks for your amazing gardening and running tonight, love and light until next time :)

Eleven amazing runners joined me in Brent last night to help deliver leaflets for Abbey Community Centre to promote their community cafe and run over 8km in the process!

One the most horribly humid night of the year we were joined by Euclides who will be taking on the role of GG Haringey Trainer from Wednesday and as well as you lovely regulars it was nice to have Ellen and Rosie along for the first time in a few months.

After a quick intro the main things are still very much:

• SOCIAL in BRENT!!! Sign up here and details will come soon - at this point we may end up having at the Queensbury as nowhere else seems to be available!

• GG OLYMPICS!!! 3rd August - we want to try and double the size of our team from 3 to 6 ppl this year. You need to sign up by THURSDAY. Details here and sign up here!

With that and all the usual health and safety and whatnot we were on to a quick warm up from Euclides and then we were on our way. We kept up a steady pace and suffered through the sticky conditions but before we knew it we had wound our way past Kilburn and then West Hampstead and then reached the Centre.

Once there Simone kindly provided water for everyone and then handed over the stack of leaflets for us. As the task had been pulled together last minute it was a very manageable number but we split the leaflets between the group and then headed to the Alexandra Road estate to do some deliveries!

Once there we split into two groups of five - those that wanted to work for their good ran to the far end of the estate and made their leaflet drops at that end and the other five worked from the near end. Before we knew it everyone had raced up and down the stairs and we gathered together for some group photos before, on the advice of a local resident, we went in hunt of the park at the back of the estate.

We ran along the paths and stopped off and did some fitness exercises as we went, triceps dips, burpees, jumping jacks and some running in a circle (my fave!) and then with everyone worked out it was time to head back to base!

Once we were back Euclides took us a through a great cool down session and we were done! Top effort in the conditions and Abbey are always so pleased when we do leaflet drops as they see an increase in attendees to their cafe. Next week Claire is in charge and we are heading to a new task down in Queens Park - gardening tasks will be the order of the day. Do please come and support Claire and show the new task how brilliant you all are!

See you all at the social - cheers,
Pritesh

Wow! FIFTEEN amazing runners joined me in Brent as we really showed everyone how to get together and ran 6km, delivered over 300 leaflets for Brent Mencap, did 1km time trial and celebrated a birthday!

A big old GGB welcome to Thenuka who joined for her first ever GoodGym run, a welcome back to Beattie and Rachel who joined us for the first time in months and a hurrah for Hounslow who had three of their finest join us for a spot of tourism!

After a warm up from Liz we did a quick intro of the task, GG, health and safety and all the important things including reminders that we are getting closer to close date of GG Olympics sign-up and that the next social IS IN BRENT on the 4th July. We then co-ordinated ourselves and headed off to the task. Liz kindly led the way and I took up back-marker position.

Two kilometres later and we were at Brent Mencap - we met Wayne who gave us our stack leaflets! A double whammy of the 'Great Get Together' we were delivering leaflets for the event that Brent Mencap were putting together this Friday - amazing! We split into four groups, set out the areas we were delivering in and off we went! With 20 minutes to get all our leaflets delivered everyone did a fantastic job and before we knew it we were back at the charity with all the leaflets delivered - fantastic!

But this is GoodGym, we had done our good now time for some gym. We headed off to Roundwood Park and once there I made no friends by presenting the GG Brent 'just over 1km' time trial! After an intense intro and map reading session we were lined up and ready to go. Everyone did really well and times ranged from sub 4 mins to sub 6 - super speedy!

Once everyone had got their breath back we were expertly led by Liz again and headed back to base where we stretched and then a number of us headed back to the pub for a celebratory cupcake and drink for Andy's birthday and a wonderful evening for all of us and very much in the spirit of the Great Get Together. #moreincommon

Cheers,
Pritesh