13 a-mazing Goodgymmers defied the hordes of football fans flocking down the High Road to run and help a local park to look spic-and-span!

Kudos corner (to be read to the tune of Shaft) *

Who's the lovely young man

That's a deed machine to all the Goodgyms? (K!)

You're damn right

Who is the man that would run everywhere for a deed, man? (K!)

Can ya dig it?

Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's deeds all about? (K)

Right on

You see this cat K is a badgym mother (Don't you doubt it)

But I'm talkin' about K (Then we can dig it)

He's not a complicated man but no one understands him fully but his fam (GGH)*

Happy 50th Deed, K <3

Swept Off Our Feet By Kapil's 50 Deeds

We congregated at HQ to the news that Kapil had snuck under the cover of the January Challenge and reached the 50 deeds mark, much to his trainer's surprise who expected this momentous occasion to still be a good month away.

Never one to miss a step, this trainer jumped into action and allowed Kapil to lead our warm up with one of his favourite games: the burpee game. Such is the measure of the K man.

When everyone's patience and good spirits had reached breaking point at Kapil's Energiser-bunny-burpeeness, we set off for a good 3kish run. Today's theme: Avoid the Spurs fans walking down the High Road. Reader, we weren't very successful.

No matter, before you knew it, Laura from Friends of Tottenham Green was welcoming us with open arms, good vibes, and plenty of fun tools.

We divided into three teams: the dandies, the litter-busters, and the be-leafers.

The dandies rained upon the dandelions on the Green's flowerbeds with such gusto and force that it looked like they were trying to dig their way to the other side of the world.

The litter-busters left the green looking gorgeous and litter-free, and even managed to pick all rubbish from under the benches in the park. Over and beyond the call of duty.

The be-leafers put their backs into a nice fun task. They first moved a wooden framed across the park and then they proceeded to fill it up with the leaves they collected from a so-far untouched section of the Green this winter. Reader, they were like cyborg good deeders sent from the future with a ruthless mission in mind. And they'll be back, no doubt.

We then bid Laura farewell and had a rather easy and in no way taxing fitness session. Our very own Special K loved the plyometric frog jumps in particular.

Having worked up an appetite, we forewent the second half of our run and instead dug deep into Kapil's well earned cake.

A good night was had by all, I believe.

Join us next week! Brand new task, fun new start location!

Boom!

15 rugged Goodgymmers confronted the cold weather and visited the wonderful Living Under One Sun in Tottenham Hale for some good ol' good deeding action

The January Challenge

As the GGHaringey crew gathered at HQ last night, the GoodGym January Challenge Counter ticked over its 8000 Good Deed for the month - what an amazing effort from everyone. In Haringey alone, we've completed 199 deeds this month and covered a whooping 1402 kms. A pat on the back and a tip of the hat to you all. Heroes!

Woop Woop Central

Everybody make some noise for Rachel, visiting us last night for her first group run ever. She was aces. Also, having just mentioned the Jan Challenge, we can't let this opportunity slip without losing our minds over our very own Latoya who, as part of her RED Jan challenge, has completed at least one deed everyday this month and has racked a super impressive 37 in total so far. Superstar!

Leyla, you've got me on my knees

HQ was buzzing last night as 15 effervescent Goodgymmers gathered for the night's task. T'was a cold one, so we kept the briefing short and the warm up robust. Before you knew it, Rebecca had set off leading a walking crew and there was nothing left for the runners but to dash off too. We took the scenic route, running a cool 3k and arriving at LUOS to find Leyla with open arms and plenty of tasks for us.

We divided into three teams: one team was in charge of shifting some furniture into an outside area and creating an al fresco sitting room. Another team was tasked with tidying up the BBQ/ pizza oven platform. And another team was in charge of clearing the walking paths that surround LUOS's beautifully kept gardens of the old, mushy fallen leaves that were making it a slip hazard. 

Our Goodgymmers jumped headfirst into their jobs, and they bubbled and fizzed in efficient harmony. There was even time for some risque jokes in the fruit and veg gazebo but we'll save those for ourselves. 

After a while, some Goodgymmers managed to find themselves another job sorting out some compost and transporting it to some planting beds. 

Alas, all good things come to an end and we called it a night. But not before Leyla fed us North London's best oranges (this is not hyperbole - they just are the best).

LUOS is located at  Down Lane Park and we took advantage of the setting, using the park for a very testing plyometrics fitness session.

One final shuffle to HQ and everyone went their merry way, happy and tired. Boom!

Join us next week for more fun and games!

13 fellows of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy, laughed in the face of a gloomy London Town and with songs, gambols, and flashes of merriment, they set the night on a roar.

Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt thou the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love

A big GGHaringey welcome to Liz, joining us for her first group run. And a warm welcome back to David, who loved the starter session last weekend so much, he joined us last night for another go. Boom!

Now, the night belonged to our taskforce superstar Julie, who crushed her 100th deed with style. Amazing! And the night's celebrations didn't stop there, as we whooped for Nurjehan too as she completed her first coach run. Boom indeed!

To be or not to be

That was the question on everyone's mind last night about our task.

But before the seeds of doubt were sown in our minds, we gathered in innocent reverie at HQ and we toasted Julie on her landmark deed as we warmed up, awaiting a few late stragglers. Unbeknownst to us, however, dark clouds gathered in our horizon.

RED JAN Latoya set off towards our task for the evening, leading a walking expedition and I led the runners on a merry-go-round around the streets of Tottenham, in an attempt to avoid the thousands of football fans on their way to White Hart Lane. 

The walking party beat us to the task and Latoya et al arrived to find our venue for the eve looking suspiciously closed for the night. After a quick call with our task owner it became evident that our planned task for the night was not to be. The runners joined the walkers outside the venue, where the bad news were taken in customary GGHaringey Good Spirits™.

We decided that there was hope yet for our eve and headed back to HQ

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't

Back at HQ, I divided our Goodgymmers into two groups. The first group, armed with litter pickers and buckets, started tidying after the Spurs fans still making their way to the stadium. And the other group was put through the wringer with a very lively fitness session. It is at this juncture in our tale that I should introduce you to Poor Richard.

A Goodgymmer that shall remain unnamed found herself struggling with what she thought was a big chunk of debris. It wasn't until a more clued on Goodgymmer came to the rescue that she realised she was unwittingly trying to dig a memorial that has been beautifully nestled within the foliage at Tottenham Green. So, Poor Richard, we are truly sorry and rest assured our unnamed Goodgymmer Really Is Truly Apologetic.

After about a quarter of an hour, the groups changed roles and by the time we finished, everyone was pretty tired and Tottenham Green was as clean as a whistle.  Now, all back together, we even found the time to finish the evening with a game of knee tag.

We then headed back to HQ for cake and high fives.

All's well that end's well.

Join us next week for more adventures!