The lovely early evening sunshine seemed like a good omen for this last group run before the clocks change at the weekend. Although the light still disappeared a bit too early to light up some outdoors activities, it didnt stop 10 smiling Goodgymmers assembling to have another go at building some bug hotels & even a bird box, all rustic GG Redbridge style! James sent his apologies having been held up at work, leaving the evening in my hands....

After catching up on the weekends running adventures (Vicki ran round London at the Landmark Half - give her a cheer!) the team split up in little units to tackle the tasks at hand, from doing the prep work in chopping down tree branches to hollowing them out to measuring & cutting panels to size to putting frames together - so much going on at our little base that we had to expand to the field outside to manage all the different parts. Thanks to foreman Dharmesh for keeping an eye on the indoor team while i tried not to get in the way of the outside crew! As with all nice things, time seems to speed up, so ambitious as we were, things didn't quite get finished yet - maybe another session is needed?

Having rounded things off, it was time to go and get moving. Taskforce Leader Dharmesh took the speeder group for a spin round the block, while I had the pleasure of taking the sexy group (official Googym lingo - ask Joel at GG Hackney) for a slightly different tour, chasing the speedy group back to base just in time to join in with the stretches led by Dharmesh.

Well done all on the hard graft and run afterwards!

Next week James should be back in charge, exact details yet to be confirmed, with a little part hoping on Whipps Cross, but also checking out options like FRP & the allotment!

See you in April?

On a pleasant (and not windy for a change) Spring night, eight of Goodgym's bestest met in Wanstead to move soil, tidy flower beds and ran 7km in the process.

In recent weeks there have been a flood of first timer Goodgymers with Sharon and Linda joining for the first time last week and James joining us this week for his first ever GG run and task. The first visit is often the hardest with questions like, "will they be nice?" and "what if I can't keep up" front of mind for most people. The great news is that Goodgym is super friendly and suitable for all, so if you are reading this and you've been putting off attending a run please don't worry - we will definitely make you super welcome, and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it. If new joiners wasn't enough we also welcomed Thomas who is a regular at GG Islington!

With introductions done and the group raring to do good in the Borough, it was off to the Corner House to shift the final remnants of three tonnes of top soil and compost that has been sitting in the driveway. With only two spades available and eight runners, it was decided to split the task in two with half the group shifting soil and the other removing rubbish from the lovely Wanstead Community Gardeners flower beds which line the street. With tasks allocated the teams set off, eager to get things done in quick, fast, time.

We've been chipping away at the topsoil bag for some months now, decanting it into smaller bags for topping up flower beds. So it was great to finally see the back of this giant load of dirt and within 20 minutes, Peter, James, Jenny and Thomas had shifted into two smaller sacks and dragged it out of the way. In the meantime, Linda, Kris and Sharon had discovered loads of drinks bottles, crisp packets and cans in the various bushes and flowerbeds. Top work team and a huge amount done in no time at all.

With the tasks complete, it was time for a short warm up and then a Fartlek session on George Green. This is a fun way of giving your running a boost and with 20 minutes on the clock the gang set about using three sides of the Green as a training ground. The idea is to alternate between a strong effort and an easy effort using the three sides to dictate pace. So simply, strong effort to the first corner, easy effort to the next corner, strong back to the start AND repeat. Using a 300m loop this is a great way for the whole group to encourage each other and it's surprisingly tough.

After 20 mins of this fun (some might say torture) everyone was a little more out of breath and ready for some light stretching back at base. Another fun evening doing good in Redbridge. If you fancy getting involved, check out the link on the right...

36 Goodgymers ran between 5-11km to collect up a massive 125 Christmas Trees for recycling!!!

Welcome along to Emily, Natalie and Mel whose first time it was last night. Plenty of regulars and tourists around too.

In the news this week:

1. It's GoodGym Islington 4th birthday next Monday, come along for Thai food and drinks next Monday after the group run.
2. There is a GG Islington Starter Session on Saturday 26th January - sign up here.
3. Chi is doing a training session this Sunday in Islington and Olivia is leading a long run in Richmond - join in.

Corrrr blimey what a welcome to 2019, we not only had more attendances than we've had for 18 months but we arguably broke a GoodGym record with 125 Christmas Trees collected on a group run.

GG's Angels

After a big old intro we warmed up and split into our four groups to cover as much as Islington as possible, looking for those Christmas trees. It is technically fly tipping leaving them out on the street and of course it's a real hazard. Therefore we are helping the community in lots of ways getting them collected and recycled.

We had four teams and there final scores were:

• Team Steve - ran 11km to Crouch End and collected 8 trees
• Team Paul - ran 6-8k around Highbury and collected 29 trees
• Team Paradise (Graham) - ran 6-8km to Paradise Park, Callie Road and Holloway Road and collected 40 trees
• Team James - ran to Barnsbury and collected 48 trees!!!

This is an insane amount of pulling, carrying and tossing of our piney friends - good work all.

Next week we will be helping St Lukes Community Centre and doing another round of Christmas Tree Collections - sign up here.

PB out

32 Goodgymers ran 5km to help Caxton House decorate a Christmas Tree and do some gardening!

Thanks to coming to Islington's Christmas Edition! It was spectular :)

The main news this week is to remember we are back from Monday 7th January, I don't expect to see you on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve - make sure you have a fun holiday!

Back to what happened last night - after our intro Huw (New Leicester Trainer) led a warm up with the theme of 12 exercises of Christmas. We splitted into two groups as we headed up hill 2.5km to Caxton House Community Centre, with James leading a faster group doing a lap of the Emirates. This fantastic centre provides a hub for community activities; including gardening, education projects and even a credit union.

Upon our arrival at the centre we were presented with a very large Christmas tree and some gardening to do. Splitting into two groups we got started with both tasks. Group One put the tinsel, lights and some stars on the tree. Meanwhile Group Two weeded the front garden and dug for bamboo. With Christmas music playing inside and out, joy was in the air!

Switch over the Elves

The teams switched tasks, with Group Two continuing the garden efforts, adding in some chopping back bushes. Meanwhile Group One put baubles on the train and of course Santa at the top of the tree. Nice! Once all the tasks were finished we had a mince pie, switched on the tree lights and took a lovely group photo.

After saying our goodbyes to Rose and Sue we ran home, and then stretched before going to the pub and for pizza #XmasParty.

Sign up for the first group run of 2019 (7th January) here.

See you in the New Year! Merry Christmas Everyone!

PB out