15 runners ran 7 k, including some impressive hills, to help maintain a footpath in the Sylvania estate.

After a scorching bank holiday weekend we surprisingly had some rain this evening. Who cares about rain though? It was brilliant to see so many runners returning from last week and fantastic to see some new runners joining us as well! Welcome Jo and Philippa to the GoodGym Exeter crew! Also lovely to have the very experienced GoodGym runner Sally joining from GoodGym Camden.

We locked up our bags and signed in at our usual starting point, the lovely Phoenix, and then headed over to the Northernhay Gardens for a dynamic warm up session. As the run this week involved some steep hills we also took a moment to discuss hill running technique. Remember the following points for your hill runs:

• Run tall, chest up, no hunching
• Drive hips forward
• Run with high knees
• Keep high cadence, with light and quick steps
• Arms moving back and forth (not sideways), rotating at the shoulders

Also remember hills are our friends, they make us so much stronger!

Everyone worked hard on the outward run and did brilliantly! The hill at (what we thought was) the end was a long one but we stopped to re-group at regular intervals so we didn’t get too spread out and so that everyone could make it. We also managed some wall squats, press-ups and lunges along the way.

Then our little adventure began… finding the task! After running along a footpath, looking out for our task owner in all directions, we realized we were on the wrong path. We had to hit yet another hill to get to the right one! A massive shout out to all runners for being so positive and for keeping the spirits so high during this little adventure! Fantastic attitude! Also a big thank you to Sally who back marked the whole way so no-one got left behind.

When we arrived to our task, a lovely and leafy footpath that runs along the Sylvania estate, we were welcomed by Timothy Payne. He is a member of the Sylvania Environment and Community project, an organisation which works to improve and maintain the open spaces in the area for the local residents. We all got stuck in straight away and worked hard for 30 minutes:

• Cutting back overgrowth
• Scraping moss of the footpath
• Brushing the footpath clean

These tasks gave us a good upper body workout and it was lovely to see everyone chatting and getting along whilst working.

It was amazing to see how much we got done in a short space of time and hopefully our work will be noticed by the many local runners and walkers who use this path. What a brilliant task for the GoodGym to have been involved with!

The return run took us up yet another hill and we actually reached the top of Exeter! We could then enjoy a long downhill with amazing views all over the city. The summer evening was still really warm and the rain had stopped. What a perfect way to end our run together! When we got back to the Phoenix we finished with a stretching session and some runners enjoyed well earned refreshments in the bar.

Fantastic to have two more runners, Florence and Rachel, get their documents checked this evening so that they can take part in mission and coached runs. Taking part in these runs is a great way to get motivation to run and you will also make a huge difference to the lives of elderly and isolated people. Amazing isn’t it!

Next week when we will run a total of 4 k to help Newtown’s Community Preschool get their playground ready for term starting. This will involve making a mud kitchen for the children using the same soil that we dug up from the community building in Belmont Park on the launch evening. Great to see this coming to use! Sign up here to come along, get fit by doing good and have some fun!

We have also discussed meeting once a month at Exeter Riverside Parkrun to run a timed 5 k run together and to have cake and coffee (just as important as running obviously!) afterwards. For anyone who fancies this come along on Saturday 7th September. It will be lots of fun and a great way to start your weekend!

Happy running!