🎃🎃🎃 We got our freak(y) on at GoodGym Waltham "Haunted" Forest this evening with a spooktacular run to Change, Grow, Live a crucial drug and alcohol rehab charity based in Walthamstow Village.

It being the eve of all Hallows and all that we didn't just do the red t-shirt thing tonight but many decided to exercise the fancy dress option and so Mirth, Marvel and Maud was invaded by an army of the undead - wait a second surely undead simply means alive? Anyway, I digress as we certainly assembled a motley crew of scary creatures from Pippa "Six arms", to Heidi "Harly Quinn" and Carmen "Electric" plus many more (see photos).

We were joined for the first time tonight by Yasmine, well done for joining on such an odd evening, I promise we don't always look like we have escaped from an asylum.

We were told to arrive punctually for this task so, after a brief chat and a round-up of our fave horror characters and headcount we headed into the night in search of victims, I mean beneficiaries! However, in all the excitement, I forgot to mention this bit of news:

> NEWS FLASH

The last monthly social of 2018 is coming up and it is in east London so why not pop down and swap notes with fellow GGers from all over the nation. See deets and sign-up here

> END OF NEWS FLASH

Back to the evening's activities and we rocked up at CGL to help them prepare for a big office move. This basically meant being removal men and women for a bit. Resisting the urge to roll up some cigarettes and drink strong tea with three sugars in, we buckled down to the tasks. There wasn't a great deal to do and this lot were so efficient we were in and out in about 20 minutes.

Not to be deterred, we headed for the local churchyard for a few drills. These were plucked from a Halloween goody bag and included such things as Burpees, Sprints, Shuttle Runs (tricks). Then Lunges, sweets, high knees, sweets, satsumas (treats).

After a graveside photocall, we hit the road again taking one of Ramon's famous long-cuts back to base. Fortunately, this one was a more manageable distance than the ultra of a few weeks back.

Finally a thirsty few then headed into Mirth for refreshments.

Next week we are back at the wonderful care home, George Mason Lodge for some bulb planting. Head torches would be handy on this one folks. Sign-up here

Until next time

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Tonight the Good Gym Waltham Forest posse met for a spot of gardening in the charming surroundings of Walthamstow Village. Kicking off things nice an easy with a 1k run to arrive at Change Grow Live (CGL), a local charity who do some crucial work helping people and families who are affected by drug and alcohol addiction.

These folks work hard to help people but who is helping their garden? Folks like this deserve to look out of their window and see a healthy and eye-catching garden, don't they? Of course, they do so that's where we come in. Clearing out all the dead stuff and helping to restore the garden to something a little more appealing was our mission for the evening. And the team worked so efficiently that within a matter of minutes all five of the refuse bags that were available had been filled to the brim.

Never Fear Nisa Is Here With bags rapidly depleting and much decomposing detritus left still to dispose of a quick trip was made to the local Nisa to restock with a roll of bags. It just so happened that the bags happened to be located near to the Jaffa Cakes, so they had to go into the carrier bag too.

With more bagging, weeding, cutting and tidying we were ready to run again and we headed to Lloyd Park for a full lap and some drills as dusk descended.

After that, it was back to base for drinks and at long last our Jaffa Cake biscuit cake thingy.

Next week, same time, same place, different task. See you there; it is sure to be the best thing happening in E17 all evening. Sign up here, sign up now

Eleven excellent GoodGymmers ran 1 km to Change, Grow, Live to help transform their garden.

Meeting at Mirth, Marvel and Maud we were joined by Ercole, who was 'fresh' from a recent 100 mile race in the Lake district (seriously give him a cheer) and Kevin, joining us for his second good deed. Welcome!

We had a short run today, so after a very quick warm up we headed straight off with Ramon back marking. Arriving in no time at all, and after a little confusion finding the right entrance, we found our way into the garden and grabbed some tools. As expected, the garden was extremely dried out and largely dead, but was in serious need of some tlc.

The team got to work raking, chopping and weeding to cut back and clear as much of the dead plants and weeds as possible. The team made rapid progress and quickly filled an enormous sack with green (brown) waste. The garden was already looking tidier, although we realised that we were kicking up a LOT of dust. We piled up more waste next to our full bag, before a passer by offered to donate an unused compost bin from her house. Kevin and Chi dashed off to collect it (it turns out the house was not exactly 'around the corner') and brought it back. We quickly finished off the bits we were working on and filled the compost bin to the top. Time for a quick team photo and then we were off.

As it was such a short run, we decided on a mixed fitness session in nearby Lloyd Park - running drills with a mix of pace, squats, arm drills and calf raises - and Chi's signature 'abs on tour' session to work our cores. It was hot hard work but I think I convinced everyone they will be stronger runners as a result. Right? Good work team.

Fitness session done, we had a nice relaxed run back to base for stretches. Thanks for having me Waltham Forest - hope to see you all again soon.

D

GGWF were due to visit local reahbillitation charity, Change, Grow, Live (CGL) for a spot of gardening yesterday but due to a low turnout we discussed options and decided on a regular old run instead. This is great because we will now visit CGL next month instead.

With The Big Match dominating everyone's schedule a solitary runner showed up but it was great to see Jesse who had been unable to attend the last few session. So the two of us did two laps of the lovely Lloyd Park returning to Mirth, Marvel and Maude where I sank two pints and watched from the second half as Croatia put two goals past England to win the second semi-final of the World Cup.

Normal service will be resumed next Wednesday when we head to Walthamstow Toy Library for form DIY. I hope you can join us there, sign-up here

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