Tonight we met as the rain came down in a light shower. So different to last few days of gorgeous sunshine!

We met at the task and headed around the back up a steep path to start the heart beating! Onto a nearby field where football teams were training.

The field, a rectangle shape, gave the perfect opportunity for a short speed session - jog along the long bit, speed up for a short section and repeat! Definitely one to blow tho9se Easter eggs away! Robert showing his sprinting legs, chased by the driven Maria!

Onto the local heathland and a lovely pathway through woods - we even saw horses in the fields, bridges to cross over and plenty of tree routes to dance around!

We headed back to the school under a heavy shower of rain but feeling refreshing good with cool air, water on our faces and earth beneath our feet!

At the school, we checked task details and cracked on with clearing the front carpark of moss and weeds. Starting with smaller tools and ending up with shovels and brooms and a wheelbarrow! Within 30 minutes we had a barrel full and had cleared away both sides in the car park. Team work at its finest! Lisa nearly swept up Robert in the process whilst Elizabeth was quick to dive into the bushes for some weeds!

We tidied away the tools and pushed the debris into the back area.

Unfortunately at this point we noticed a lot of children playing around the back and the gate open into the school garden. We got the kids out and locked the gate again. But whilst returning to the front, a group of children had started fighting each other and the police were called as we were concerned. We remained with the children until a parent arrived and we left the area, feeling a little despondent on the ending.

It's amazing how moods and feeling's can change so quickly depending on your environment and those around you.

As Goodgym runners we all have a shared goal of wanting to support our local community, runners are often relaxed personalities as they use positive energy towards tasks and fitness and for good of others. The energy from a Goodgym session is always positive vibes, driven and focused - we know completing tasks is exactly what helps our own mental health and wellbeing as well! We know how important it is to surround ourselves with the best type of people- we are the average of our 6 closest friends studies have found! Let's hope the young people tonight will in future find good crowds to be around and grow from there.

A planned quiet task and run tonight with many runners with sore legs!

It was a delight to welcome Dan along with us! Dan had been meaning to come for a while but finally his shifts aligned with our night and he could join us merry crew!

Elizabeth, Sian and Esther had all ran a trail hilly half on Sunday and had sore legs- but Elizabeth (or maybe one of her identical triplets) had ran last night and then again tonight despite this!

Maria was back with us after a nasty bout of Covid and then a sterling effort to get around London Landmarks half a week ago, keen to complete for her charity.

So a bunch of healthy athletes were all ready for tonight's task at St John's!

It appears the church was doing well with gardeners around the trees so we spent the time sweeping away pine cones, needles, weeds and edges! All bagged up and placed near the compost.

We always enjoy a photo and with 4 Goodgymers it seemed an ideal time to spell out the 'Good' in what we do. Who knew it was so hard to make a D Elizabeth?!

Onto the local heathland and after a few pit stops we trotted around the perimeter of the small health, taking in the views to catch our breathe back!

After 1.5 miles we made the decision to go onto the less used Dunyeats Heath for a mile or so. Thankfully no one complained too loudly (that's everyone except Dan) at all the paths that went up! It was prickly, muddy and even involved a fence jump at one point to return to main pathway. But that's what trails are all about isn't it! It all comes with super views out over the local health with even the chance of snakes! Thankfully snakes prefer peace and not noisy Goodgymers so they stay away - or that's our excuse anyway!

We find a path back, even a covered snicket to run through and back along the big houses to admire! (and create noise around!)

Great timing as the heavens opened as we climbed into our cars with legs slightly eased, chests a bit looser and generally all a bit happier- Good task done- good run done!

Goodgymers - Fabulous as ever!

Tonight's run is all about community spirit, something runners have in abundance.

Ukraine has dominated our news for past few weeks and so many of us have watched helplessly from our living rooms as families have become displaced and having to flee to safety.

Just like us, Ukraines love to run. So many local running groups can be found. Here are just two examples I found online: Club Name: I LIKE RUNNING (VINNYTSIA) About the Club:

'We love running in the morning, in the evening, in rain, snow and heat, because we believe that running is the only sport that anyone can do'

Club Name: RIVNE RUNNING (RIVNEA) About the club: 'Our mission is to make people healthy and happy by getting them involved in running. We organize training sessions for amateur runners, open trainings and a few big health races on a yearly basis, which always have a charitable cause'

This sounds so familiar to so many of our local groups out tonight!

Lytchett Striders were the organisers behind it tonight with Carol from the club being the starting point.

Aside from Goodgym, also in attendance was Oakdale Runners who brought there weekly run to here, Poole AC who brought a club run down especially offering a speedier longer run for those who wanted it, RunFAR with special blue buffs and apparently even Hash Harriers were in the crowds. I even chatted to a elderly lady who was having a gentle jog who told me she had seen it in The Echo and wanted to join everyone to do something.

There was walkers and runners from 5k - 10k distances and a vast array of abilities, experience and life stories. But this was Run For Ukraine. A chance to reflect on how grateful we are to have our freedom and safe homes. A chance to think of our European neighbours who are suffering so much hardship right now.

As we arrived in the park, there was a buzz in the air as people were all gathering by The Ark. Warm friendly greetings between runners, walkers and across different groups and clubs. A cake table was being carried out and donations of cake passed onto a large table.

It was a sea of blue and yellow (in many cases high vis!) to represent the national flag colours of Ukraine.

Lytchett Striders set the plan out and groups headed off into fading light with torches being turned on.

From the back of the pack, I had the privilege of seeing a beautiful sight across the water of Baiter. 100s of runners were a silhouette moving but the headtorches and chest lights reflecting into the still water creating a movement of coloured lights. The pictures sadly do not show how amazing this really was to see with a naked eye but it was a scene enjoyed by many at the back of the pack.

5k routes stuck atound Baitor and the park whilst 5mile groups headed off towards sandbanks. No one was left alone or without company.

Back at The Ark the cake table was full to brim of fresh made cakes and biscuits, topped up with shop donations from many that came. In the middle was the big cash jar already brimming with donations of £5!

Delighted to see the total raised last night was already at £3000 before the run happened and still rising!

If you would like to donate, the link is here; https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/carol-baker7?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=carol-baker7&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=70f8c59916f84f3e85f7b592382fc234

Well done to everyone who joined tonight, showing our support for Ukraine.

Today is a paint-tastic day!

1. It's Pancake Day!
2. It's 1st March
3. Spring is upon us!
4. It's Goodgym night!
5. It's a painting task!

It was indeed painting by numbers tonight as we asked for a few extras to get through it in one go!

Jade was all prepared with ladders, rollers, brushes, paint, rags and blankets so we could rock and roll pretty fast!

The weather was shocking, but the smiles on everyone's faces on arrival made the rain a distant sound Patricia was the first to scale a ladder whilst Laura showed us that being tall meant ladders are in fact an unnecessary hazard! Tracy decided against robbing the local bank and instead joined us for our community task, hat and all! Shelley demonstrated that painting still means snazzy leggings whilst Christine I'm sure remained the cleanest painter amongst us lot! Robert got busy with a paintbrush whilst Maria was happy to roll!

It wasn't long before the wall was covered from top to bottom in fresh paint, edging done and even around the lights and corners. It never seizes to amaze how quick a task can be completed with team work! Rollers and paint brushes cleaned In the sinks and it was time to clear off.

Jade had even brought us chocolates which are never refused!

The running season is getting busier and Shelley and Maria are fully immersed in training for London Landmarks!

Last night Esther, Becky, Elizabeth and Nicola completed Plod Takeover (5 mile Monday night run) in the rain. Nicola however stole the show with extra kudos by running home as well tonight!

All home for a cuppa on a pretty miserable night, but a really fun chatter and natter and good deed completed!

Storm Barra is flexing its muscles around the UK, bringing wind, rain and a cold front!

So a bunch of Goodgymers went out to spread good cheer and seek the lights of Corfe Mullen!

No mention of fancy dress in the remit but these are pro's these runners so it was a bunch of cheerily Christmas dressed runners that showed up despite weather warnings! I believe there was mutterings of Mulled Wine, mince pies and good cheer that brought smiles and runners!

A 4 mile route along the streets of Corfe Mullen showed Barass has managed to reach a few lights, reindeer and Santa's but many pretty lights along the way gave smiles in the bleak darkness. On the return leg, the Barass threw a bit of hale into our faces but no match for this hardy bunch who sped up to get back on hearing words 'cake' and 'Mulled wine'.

Elizabeth had kindly offered her house as a stop for a Mulled Wine and mince pies and even added in a bit of cake! Thank you Liz!

Lovely to have Lisa again with us, back running again!

Robert enjoyed the cake so much he took home a doggy bag, you enjoy Rob!

Well done to Patricia for running last night and tonight in all elements!

Maria big welcome to task force!