Ever responsive and happy to help, we were asked by Martin Primary to run over and mulch a new path double time, as the school's winter fair is fast approaching. Although we're booked up solidly, we had a short notice cancellation that freed us up for some emergency TLC in the forest school.

Five of us set off promptly after our usual warm up by the side of the Phoenix. Given the holiday season's fast approach, we shared our favourite seasonal films - from Die Hard to Bad Santa, the classic It's a Wonderful Life and The Grinch that Stole Christmas, to some decidedly offbeat Russian film Beattie couldn't remember the name of (but post in the chat if you do). Great to see Gus joining us, looking eager for the exercise and a chance to sniff out foxes.

Then to the pathing - and boy, what a path! At least 50m of it (not that I measured) needed mulching, all along the side of their courts. We rocked up in short time - so early, John the groundskeeper wasn't even ready for us - and rolled up our metaphorical sleeves because it was pretty cold. John went looking for some extra hands to help us, but the school is so busy with music and yoga classes, no one emerged.

With two wheelie bins and two wheelbarrows, we had plenty of ferrying, shovelling and raking to do. Subham, Beattie and Paul shovelled and barrowed with the rest of us taking shifts, while Lucy and George mostly focused on raking. We started at the far end and slowly spread the mulch back toward the gate into the orchard, without thinking how far we'd get. We fillled a couple of deep holes with mulch as well, working by torchlight along the court's fence.

At ten to 8 we looked up and saw the gate in sight. Seeing we'd nearly reached the goal, we went for it, full speed (well, full care as well!) mulching, tipping and raking until, boom, almost bang on 8pm, we were done!

After a good cheer and a bit of a rest on the mulch pile, plus a thank you from John, that was it, and we jogged back up the High Road to the cinema for a warm down. A really satisfying session!

We're out every Tuesday until 16 December, so why not join us? Also, keep an eye out for our winter social on Tuesday 2 December. We'll be leafleting for the Citizens Advice Barnet, then gathering for food and a drink after.

As usual, we gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, our cosy launch point, and the pre-run chat was in full swing. Suddenly, in swept Subham, beaming and slightly out of breath, proudly declaring he’d just raced a stranger on the opposite pavement — an unknowing rival in his spontaneous street sprint. Naturally, Subham won (he even decided where the finish line was!).

We also welcomed Peter for his first ever GoodGym Barnet run! Having already played a heavy session of tennis earlier that day, he bravely laced up for a double workout — serious commitment!

Beattie arrived in high spirits too, buzzing with some great work news to share, adding to the positive start to the evening.

Just as we stepped outside for our warm-up, the skies decided to test our spirits with a light drizzle — a rare event for our usually lucky-weather crew. But by the time we set off through the backstreets behind the High Street, the rain had politely stopped.

Our destination: St Martin’s, where John was waiting with wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes at the ready. This week’s mission — helping prepare the forest school paths by laying down fresh woodchip so the children can enjoy easier access to the woods.

Everyone got stuck in straight away, with Peter showing no sign of slowing down despite his tennis marathon earlier. Wheelbarrows rolled, woodchips flew, and laughter filled the air — another task well and truly smashed by Team Barnet.

After a satisfying session, we headed back through the quiet streets for a quick warm-down and a well-earned stretch.

Well done everyone — for running, working, and smiling through it all. Until next time… keep racing (and winning) against the rain!

Four Goodgymmers - plus Gus! - jogged their way to Martin Primary School to help spread mulch around their forest school. After a quick warm up outside the Phoenix Cinema, Paul and Gus took up back marking, while Anthony and Emily followed my lead along the High Road to the school.

After a brisk jog, we arrived to find tools and mulch waiting for us. We knew the drill and set upon the mulch pile, taking turns to rake, shovel. Then, with headtorches on, we wheeled the mulch down through the orchard to the 'parachute' area - a big tent made from an actual parachute! Then we refreshed the ground and gates.

We scraped up just about all the remaining mulch, but not to worry, the janitor tells us they're expecting a big delivery any day now, so we'll be back all through the coming months to keep those paths well-covered. A great task for a crisp evening!

Next week we're back to Shepherds Hill Gardens - it's a longer run and a great work out tidying paths, trimming hedges and raking and clearing. Looking forward to it!

Heat too much for barnet Gg

Last night’s GoodGym adventure started with an unexpected twist: we arrived at the Phoenix Cinema to find ourselves stepping into what looked suspiciously like a low-budget remake of Men in Black. Black suits, earpieces, security checks… we were only missing Will Smith! (but he could’ve been inside)

I paused at the door—slightly concerned that my bum bag (delicate territory) might be subjected to a full MI5-level inspection. Thankfully, Rachel arrived, and we decided to store our high-risk belongings in my car. Enter our two brave new recruits, Freya and Caitlin, just in time for the action. Caitlin needed a quick change, which meant navigating cinema security like a spy on a mission—successfully in and out without blowing our cover. (I was asked to move away on the basis that a car might mount the pavement towards me! ! bizarre! )

Feeling very protected (by men with clipboards and scanning devices), we did our warm-up next to the cinema, no doubt confusing the surveillance team further. We then boldly stepped into the unguarded wilderness of East Finchley, en route to Martin Primary School.

To pass the time, Rachel suggested some icebreakers. We each shared what we once wanted to be as kids (spoiler: none of us are astronauts now) and played “two truths and a lie” as we trotted along. It turns out runners are surprisingly good liars—or very bad detectives.

At the school, we met Scarlett and reintroduced ourselves, along with our crafted childhood aspirations and deception-based fun. Inside the school grounds, Jon welcomed us to the orchard, where the weeds had staged a full-blown coup. Brambles, bindweed and nettles were suffocating young trees like villains in a botanic thriller.

Armed with rakes and sharp tools (yes, we were trusted with these), we tackled the chaos. I warned the group about rake safety—especially after one of my nearest and dearest had an unfortunate rake-meets-face incident that ended in A&E and a lesson in cartoon physics. Fortunately, no repeats here.

After a heroic tree-rescue effort, we rounded off with a strength circuit: squats, triceps dips, sprints, and press-ups, with a side of motivational chat on the importance of strength training for runners. Gritty, glowy, and weedless, we jogged back to the Phoenix.

The security detail was still there—possibly baffled by our return or wondering if we were all part of some elaborate distraction. Either way, we cooled down before the cinema crowd poured out, said our goodbyes, and went home with that warm, weird feeling only a GoodGym mission can deliver.

Another one for the history books! giveCaitlin a shout out on her first GoodGym mission!

A fantastic turn out for our group run to Martin Primary School - 9 Goodgymmers and some new faces!

Joining us for the first time was Ahmad, who - amazingly! - has already done his Taskforce training. Also great to welcome Rosie and Gabrielle (Gabonnet), both on their first group session with us in Barnet, but not their first sessions. And so, our mighty pack warmed up outside the Phoenix, then set off for Martin Primary School, some walking with Rachel leading on the way there and Theodore on the way back, and the rest of us running.

There, met by John the groundskeeper, we took up shovels, rakes and barrows to help mulch the paths from the gate into the forest school. In highly organised teams, we set to refreshing the paths for learners old and young to be able to access the kitchen, orchard and parachute-canopied living classroom in the middle of the forest patch. With so many of us, the work was done in record time, so we jogged back to the Phoenix for a warm down and stretch, with some extra squats thrown in while we waited for the walkers to catch us up.

All round, a solid session, and mulch fun was had by all!