Deck the hills with squats and lunges .... We sure did and much more!

20 lords were leaping and lunging tonight, in fact we were squatting, hip thrusting, pressing, dipping, running and of course doing good!

We met at Wholefoods where we heard news of how many missions GG last week (some 95). Well done all! We then talked about how much we enjoyed helping at the Vineyard centre and noted how much our eyes lit up at the talk of all those great cakes they do. Ahhh cake ... anyway where was I , Oh yes welcome Jacqueline, Samuel and Amy on your first GG Richmond run.

After a much needed warm up (it was cold out!), we ran along the river and rumours about which hill Mark had planned for us began to spread...

I'm guessing its Nightingale? Said one runner and by golly was she right!

Once at the bottom of the hill, we all took a deep breath and powered forth into the darkest incline, some of us even racing cars. Those who were new to the hill received a shock when it just kept going and going ...on and on, but we all made it and were as rosy cheeked as Santa after a stiff brandy on Christmas eve.

Once we regained our strength, Mark took us through our paces and treated us to a fitness session. Pairing up we took turns to lunge walk, star jump, plank, press and dip.

Then it was downhill from there to the Vineyard, where we met lovely Timea and we given an array of tasks from cleaning, sorting and decorating. Must have been some 9/ 10 groups all on different tasks at once.

We got to work to make the place spick and span and looking festive. We sorted Christmas items into what could be sold at the Christmas fair and what could be used to decorate the Vineyard centre. We were then told to 'go crazy' and put up as much decorations as possible!. If we weren't in the Christmas spirit, we definitely were now!!!

One of these Santa's is trying to head for the hills #GGRichmond #goodgym #Mondaynights #running #fitness #doinggood #volunteering #vineyardcentre #richmond #santa #festive pic.twitter.com/P6L3wMAggb

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) November 19, 2018

Mark suggested we stay on to finish the task rather than run the extra 3km back to wholefoods and we enthusiastically agreed. Its not often we turn down a run but we were happy to swap rain for reindeer tonight and it was noted that some may have even achieved a 500 metre pb dashing to get out of that rain on the way back! Super effort all and a stretch in the dry before we talked puns!

Looking forward to next week already!

Great back marking Jenny and lovely to run with so many of you!