There was lots of news to share this week as we had two new taskforce members, Tom and Rachel and we had runners out this week at the Yorkshire 10 mile and Yorkshire Marathon! Well done everybody!

We also welcomed five new faces this week, Ian, Chris,Riobhne, Amanda, and Harriet. Go and give them all a cheer!

We had a quick warm up with our Big Wave and there was definitely some progress. I reckon we'll have that nailed in no time. The run out was super simple down one big hill, so we kept it nice and steady and looped back (up the hill) to keep everyone together. After crossing Kirkstall road with the lights that took an age, we were there at Seagulls Reuse!

It was amazing seeing you all running through the yard, completely mad, but it's great!" Kate, Task owner, Seagulls

We all piled in to the bright, light and airy space (which certainly makes a change from our recent tasks), and Kate ran though what we needed to do. There were some bright pink pillars that needed to be painted blue, and some shelves and a whole load of walls to be painted white.

Before we'd even finished talking, people had paintbrushes in hand, going straight for the pillars, obviously very excited to get going. Everyone else spread out along the walls with big rollers, small rollers and brushes, and basically started painting wherever they could reach.

Within seconds the pillars started to take shape, and our GoodGymmers gave their approval.

"I love this colour! I want it in my house!"

People were being very resourceful, switching places when then could no longer reach, moving stepladders around to where they were most needed, and generally just asking if they could paint everything! It was lovely to see, and it's great to see how the group already just dives into tasks, work together to get it done, but also seemingly have a great time doing it.

With around five minutes left, a few GoodGymmers even started washing the paint brushes, which meant one less job for the Seagulls crew.

With everything packed away we had time for some quick photos and then a a quick 'Tornado' workout in the yard, where we learned: * Lots of runners have medals hung up in their house * Almost nobody is actually from Leeds! * You've pretty much all taken running kit out of the wash to wear it again * You're all definitely going to be back for another GoodGym session!

We then jogged back up the monster hill (with more looping round) until we all made it back to base for a stretch.

Unfortunately Rachel rolled her ankle on the run back and is going to be out of action for 6 weeks, so she definitely needs some love! Go and give her a cheer!

The unpalatable truth about GoodGym is that sometimes it's dark, cold, muddy, and you've quite possibly had showers where you didn't get as wet as we did last night, but the number of happy smiling faces on the way home said it was all worth it!

27 runners ran 8km to help get an allotment ready for Growing Better

Tonight was the first real test for GoodGym Leeds. It was properly dark, the forecast had long been warning of rain, and it was a longer run which could have put some people off. We needn't have worried! An AMAZING 27 of you turned up to brave the elements, and prove that GoodGymmers do good whatever the weather.

An especially big welcome is deserved for the 7 new runners who chose tonight for their first experience of GoodGym. Eleanor, Fleur, Dave, Dominic,Alice, Anna, and Alastair all deserve a massive cheer! A big thanks also needs to go to the GoodGym York crew for their support.

After a quick Big Wave warm-up (that will definitely be getting another airing as you lot need the practice), we set of down towards the canal, with Heather doing a great job of leading us out and keeping the group together, and Rachel making sure nobody was left behind. Great job guys!

We arrived at West Leeds Activity Centre where Dorota seemed amazed that we'd even turned up with all the rain! We headed across the very slippy (this will be important later) field to the allotment, where Dorota gave the group a bit of a run down of some of the tasks we could complete, and a brief overview of what the allotment would be used for.

"We're planning to use the allotment as a community space so people can come in and use it, and also for people with learning difficulties and mental health challenges as a safe space in nature" Dorota, Task Owner, Growing Better.

Having seen the huge allotment space, the task was to create a barrier around the edge with pallets, to stop brambles from encroaching on the allotment, and do a little bit of tidying up of the small orchard on the edge of the allotment. While a group headed back to pick up some tools, everyone else arranged the pallets around the edge of the allotment. It was slow going moving across the very wet and muddy field to collect the tools, so the group started some impromptu squats and lunges to keep warm.

The tools arrived, and the team got to work. Between the crew, it was decided the best plan of action was to dig a shallow trench so we could slot the pallets in and then stamp down the soil around them to hold them in place. Apparently this level of complex work was all too much for one GoodGym tourist, showing that not all Yorkshire GoodGyms are created equal.

"I'm not used to having to think this much!" Mitch, GoodGym York Run Leader

Everyone made great progress despite the rain and soon it all started to take shape. A small group of would-be interior (or should that be exterior) designers decided that we absolutely needed a threshold to mark the entrance to the allotment and found the perfect sized piece. Fabulous.

With the barrier in place, and a little much needed trimming in-between the trees of the orchard, there was just time for a picture of handiwork before we headed back. A few were worried that in the light our work might not look so impressive, but you've got to admire the confidence of those who dream bigger...

"It's like the Great Wall of GoodGym!" Rachel, GG Leeds

There's absolutely loads we can get involved with so there's a good chance we'll be back to finish of the job and get involved in some other tasks at the absolutely huge space they have. If we go back in the summer, there will also definitely be the opportunity to have a go on the incredible assault course!

We all headed back to base, with two runners swapping stories of how they managed to end up completely covered in mud in the aforementioned slippery field, with a lucky few at the front of the group spotting a fox happily trotting along.

A few quick stretches followed back at base, along with some drinks and cakes to celebrate Aron's 50th Good Deed.

Great work everybody!

29 runners ran 5km to help turn over soil to create compost for Meanwood Farm

After the absolute explosion of activity that was our first task last week, it was hard to know what to expect this week. You guys completely smashed it though, and it was amazing! We welcomed 10 new runners to the gang this week, and it is awesome to already see some returning faces.

After a brief warm up, we ran down Woodhouse ridge in the fading late, a final reminder to everyone if they needed it that we're definitely in head torch season now. We carried on up to the farm, where Luke had all the tools out waiting for us.

After everyone had grabbed a tool, we headed further up the path to find out what was in store. Our task was to move three separate lines of compost at varying stages of decay to aerate them and help to create better soil. This would then be used for growing vegetables as part of the farm's gardening project for people with learning disabilities. Each line needed moving around a metre up or down the hill, and then compacting into a neat triangular shape.

We split up into three teams and found that each line of compost had its own challenges. The oldest compost was already pretty well broken down, and was therefore much heavier work, while the 'freshest' compost had quite a fragrant aroma. There was also steam coming off the piles, which apparently meant we knew it was working!

"It's like a poo sauna!"

As everyone got stuck in and found their rhythm, we really started to see some progress. Some of the lines started out a bit wiggly, but with a bit of direction we were back on track. Luke definitely seemed happy with the progress we were making.

"You lot are superheroes!", Luke, Task owner

He went on to explain that this task would normally take months to complete, so to get it all done in one evening (in the dark!) was huge for them. Great job everyone!

After tidying up the lines as neatly as we could, we handed back the tools and headed for home. We just had time to sneak in some cheeky hill reps focusing on form, before jogging back to base for a quick stretch.

Make sure you give each other a cheer, and see you all next week!