A lovely sized crew of 34 gathered for tonight's two tasks...

Stitches in Time SAVED by nine...

Following a recce of our new task at Stitches in Time in Limehouse, our wonderful Task Force were heading this one up like a military operation: numbers were planned, runners assigned, task owners instructed, routes mapped...It was all systems go from the weekend! And so a team of 11, headed by Lieke, headed to this fab new task along the canal. Writes task force member Dave, "Community arts charity Stitches in Time is worth nine plucky Goodgym-ers taking a scenic 7km circuit along the Regents Canal to the deceptive Limehouse Town Hall (which has never actually been a Town Hall, FYI).

On arrival at this new task location, task owner Paul quickly set us to work removing a lot of lengths of wood, screen-printing materials and some large wooden structures, to make way for the dismantling of shelving and a tougher-than-it-looked dark room.

The sound of creaking crowbars and banging hammers soon filled the building in a hive of activity, and excellent team work, making a very large dent in this terrific task. Time ticked on, our planned fitness session came and went, but finish we did, before the team returned to base along the dusky canal, for some final mileage for the day."

Glossing at Hollybush Gardens

Meanwhile, I took the rest of the team around the corner to Hollybush Gardens where Michael and Margaret had some fun outdoor painting work to do. Due to the recent rain, the outdoor furniture still hadn't received a lick of summer paint, and so 22 runners were put to work with pots of gloss to get the chairs, planters and outdoor benches looking bright and shiny for the Autumn months ahead.

A splinter crew of 3 headed to the garden for weeding, and industrious they were filling bags and bags before we wrapped just before 8.

Fabulous team fitness work

With a few minutes to spare for this evening's task, the team did a superb job taking the fitness reins: Si headed up the route operation, taking us straight down to Bethnal Green Gardens, while David took creative cardio control and led this evening's speedwork, planning and directing a tough lap of the park, with teams divided into two. And what fitness work it was, with all runners arriving back at The Fitness Clearing panting for breath and begging not to brave another lap. And so we settled for a real full-body blast of a workout, with plank-and-pushups, jumping single leg deadlifts, abs cycles and the sprinter lunge to name a few. Incredible work, yet again, from everyone. Your fitness - cardio, balance, flexibility, and strength - really does seem to be improving by the week.

And then David led the crew back to base, and through some brilliant calf and quad stretches on our favourite hotel stretching steps.

What a night.

Great big, glorious Monday shout-outs

Where to start this evening?

First up, welcome and thank you for a wonderful first night to our new runners, Victor and Kerenza. You were amazing and we hope you'll come back very soon.

A big pat on the back to our David who last night celebrated his 50th good deed and our Chris who celebrated his 70th. Thanks for being a great, big part of our group.

Thanks to David and Si for their fabulous fitness input tonight.

To Joel for pretty spectacular pun input as usual (and sorry for my eleventh hour change...).

Now. A huge shout out to the totally brilliant team who headed to Stitches in Time, including Leo and Dave for pics; Dave for report-writing and leading the runners back to base at 9pm, and Lieke for heading up. And to our wonderful task force who were all on board with planning over the weekend. Thank you from us all.

Next week sees a fitness double bill!

Yep, come out and celebrate the Bank Holiday Monday with a fun leafleting task, followed by running and Pilates: swap sofa for sweat and strength work at this fun Monday session. Details and sign up are here.

Right, that's it for this week. So until next time, have a thoroughly good week everyone!

A night to remember

It was the perfect night for a perfect night. The weather was warm – but not too warm. There was a breeze but it wasn’t windy. There were two tasks AND 26 RUNNERS. And that’s when it all got really good.

Two teams, two terrific tasks

Our new task, St Matthias School, were lucky enough to have task force member and highly experienced gardener, Sarah, leading a group of 11 to a big clearing project.

Meanwhile Catherine and Roz, top London powerhouses, of the picturesque Parkview Estate had a visit from 15 runners, led by me.

We headed out pronto this evening, all arriving at our tasks shortly after 7.

The school clearing team wasted no time in sorting overgrown vines, chopping back triffid-esque weeds and tackling overhanging branches, the likes of which we rarely see. Task owner Ray was on hand with guidance, gloves and a lot of appreciation. 45 minutes later and we were looking at a garden makeover like no other. Way to go team.

Meanwhile, back at the Parkview Estate runners were dispatched onto three sites: the speed-weeders, tackled beautifully by first time runner David (sorry you ended up on such a solitary task on your first run, but kudos for those borders), pot-planters, and then the small crew of first time runners, Isabelle and Amparo no less, tasked with the overhaul of elderly resident Beryl’s garden!

It was a busy time of watering, digging, planting, weeding - and fence-jumping (Leo and David: if you fancy a career in hurdling, I hear they’re still recruiting for Tokyo 2020).

Plies, planks and playlists

And so the time passed as quickly as usual and before we knew it, it was cheerio pics, and we were speeding back down Old Ford Rd to meet the school crew in Bethnal Green Gardens.

We then blitzed tonight’s workout – a top-to-toe session including the Thai Plank, plie pulse and tripod push up. Thanks not only for motoring through tough moves with determination and top form, but also for putting up with tonight’s ropey playlist (Van Halen’s Jump – not as motivational as it sounds in 2019. Who knew).

And then we headed back to the hotel and onto the pub where a really good sized team consisting of longer standing runners and some of our newer additions all came together for a mischievous Monday pint. And a gin shot. Hic. (thank you Chi).

And so to the Monday shout out’s.

Welcome to our wonderful first time runners, David, Isabelle, and Amparo. You did SO MUCH. Thanks for your incredible contributions: for the smiles and the enthusiasm, and for being just such an asset this evening. Please do come back and run again with us very soon.

Thanks to Neil for stepping in so readily to head up the running route to our new task. Your expertise and reassurance was invaluable this evening!

Thanks to Chi, for tonight’s wonderful, wonderful pics. And for pub fun, and ‘motivational intervention’ in the park.

And a massive thanks to Sarah, without whom the St Matthias task would have been, shall we say, trickier. Who planned this week way in advance with me, and Ray our task owner. And also for some great pics.

And while we’re talking Task Force, I’d like to give a huge thanks and appreciative shout-out this week, from us all, to our wonderful task force. To Sarah for the above; to Bryon for taking the social reins and planning tonight’s pub outing, and to Kat, who we’re lucky enough to have representing us at this year’s Shindig *, and who’s currently working on an exciting addition to our summer social calendar… Watch. This. Space.

And onto next week…

Next week we’re back at wonderful Oxford House with Sarah, who’s going to be revealing the next phase of our decorating challenge with this much loved community arts centre. So don’t delay, get this in your diary quick.

Until then, have a wonderful week everyone.

* Exciting Shindig newsflash: There are now a few last minute 2019 Shindig places that have become available, so if you’re interested, contact Ed at ed@goodgym.org

19 amazing runners ran 3km to help out at Christchurch School Garden!

Lots of new people joining us this evening which is GREAT!! Sometimes we go weeks without a new soul and then this week we have FIVE! Amazing! So big welcome to Kat, Anna, Stephan, Rachel and Nisha! Hope you had a wonderful first run at GG Greenwich!

After spending a few mins talking about favourite books, we headed for a quick little warm up and then set off on our run!

Moments later we arrived at Christchurch School and were greeted by the always lovely and super welcoming Patrick and Fiona.. And also Linda who had arrived early and was already getting stuck in!

We had various tasks to complete. One of which was to clear an area behind the outdoor classroom for a shed to be built. The classroom itself needed a good sweep. The flower beds required some neatening up around the edges as well as LOADS of watering since the place now has SO many plants!! A lot of which were rescued from Royal Hill Garden, and along with those rescued plants Patrick also managed to salvage some of the edging tiles/bricks (no idea what they are called sorry) and so the other job was to re-home those! Lots to be getting on with so everyone got cracking.

I don't know about you guys but I thought it was so nice to see the place in the light for a change! This has been a popular winter task for us because it's one of the only outdoor tasks that has a big floodlight so most of our visits here in the past have been in the dark! So it was nice to appreciate all the different colours the garden had to offer!

After half an hour, all the planks of wood from the back had been moved, the classroom was clean and tidy, flower beds were super trim and neat and everything had been watered... awesome!

Just about time for a quick photo and then we were off on our way back! We did a little loop, nearly accidentally ran into a building site and then made it just in time for a quick little core routine!

It's super important to have a good strong core as it helps you stay in a nice upright position for longer and therefore running more efficiently and most importantly.. FASTER! So don't skimp on the core work! Even just a few minutes at the end of your easy run once or twice a week will make a huge difference!

After two rounds we had a nice stretch on the grass and called it a night!

Next week

I shall not be here next week but the wonderful Amy will be taking the session! You can sign up to the run here!

Also I do apologise guys and gals, I had an issue uploading my photos this week so sorry there are fewer than usual!

Great work tonight everyone!!! Fiona and Patrick were really pleased with what you got done, so big thanks from them! Have a wonderful rest of your week!