On a crisp, decidedly lovely autumn evening, GoodGym Barnet assembled as usual at the Phoenix Cinema, a place that’s rapidly becoming our own version of the Heart of Gold. There, we welcomed a brand-new member, Tom. Now, Tom had been orbiting the idea of joining GoodGym for years (which is quite a long time in the GoodGym galaxy). A seasoned marathoner, Tom has decided to explore the shorter but still wondrous distances of 5km and 10km. Naturally, we welcomed him aboard with open arms.

After gathering in the foyer— we stepped outside to do a warm-up. This involved a brief "introduction to ourselves" via the classic name and number routine. (And no, it’s not a prison roll call, though it has a certain futuristic formality to it.) There was also a brief foray into holiday reminiscing: tales of journeys to exotic lands like Turkey, Crete, Cornwall, Sicily, Belgium, and Denmark. Just your average list of places you'd pop off to when you're not saving the local community.

In no particular order, our heroic team of runners included:

Peter Rachel George Paul Tom Kubilay

give them a heroic shout out. click on the red link.

Our quest for the evening: a scenic dash down the High Street, past the station, chasing the gloriously glowing red and orange sunset towards our destination—Northway Community Gardens in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Here, the great guardian of the gardens, Brian, awaited.

Brian, by the way, is somewhat of a warrior. His sworn nemesis? Bureaucracy. And oh, how he battles it, defending the beauty of the gardens from the forces of inefficiency. Armed with his pruning shears and an unyielding passion for fighting the good fight, he welcomed us to the task at hand: litter picking, sweeping, and the ever-satisfying pruning.

The most heroic task, however, came in the form of litter fishing from the stream. Armed with litter pickers and the precarious balance of tightrope walkers, we reached over the banks to retrieve the offending debris. It was daring work—soggy, slightly treacherous, and mildly reminiscent of a low-budget action sequence, but we prevailed.

Once we'd tamed the litter and pruned the greenery into submission, we secured the garden shed (because all great quests involve a shed of some sort) and turned our weary feet back toward the Phoenix. The run back, now under cover of night, was peaceful and introspective. Some of us, brimming with energy, opted for bonus sprints around the quiet streets. Tom and Peter, in particular, blitzed through the sprints like the fleet-footed heroes they are.

Finally, we gathered back at our base—the Phoenix—for a well-earned warm-down. There, discounted beverages awaited, and we chatted about our adventure over drinks, basking in the glow of a job well done.

Thanks for coming and doing some good! And remember, don’t panic—we’ll be back next week for more heroics.

A few GoodGym members came online together to do yoga

yoga talk

Check out this study that highlights the connection between mind and body.

https://thehealthsciencesacademy.org/health-tips/strengthen-your-muscles-by-thought-alone/

The connection between mental training and yoga can be seen in how yoga emphasizes mindfulness and intentional muscle engagement. In yoga, visualizing movements and focusing on muscle activation, even in static poses, may lead to physical benefits similar to the mental training studies. The mental focus in yoga helps create a "mind-muscle connection," potentially enhancing strength, flexibility, and muscle control, as seen in research where mental exercises alone improved muscle strength. Yoga’s meditative aspect reinforces this connection, blending physical and mental conditioning.

Spent 15 minutes making observations for the citizens science survey on part of the River Soar in Leicester. A lovely peaceful task helping The Big River Watch.

Steph Ducat did his survey on the Greenwich Peninsula near the O2 and facing Canary Wharf

Tracey surveyed the river Derwent and also the river Heulyn with Gwyn, where they saw waterboatmen. He also went to the Seiont.

I did an observation and submitted the survey this morning, I went to Camden Town and reported on Regent's Canal. Photo attached.

The app was super easy to use and made the entire experience very easy to go through and also quite engaging.

Gosia

In the annals of Good Gym history, last night’s gathering will likely stand out as one of those delightfully peculiar events where the unexpected becomes the norm. It was a Group Run, you see, except for the small matter that we didn’t actually run as a group. But, as with all things in life, it’s the little surprises that keep us on our toes—metaphorically speaking, of course.

The evening began with a plan: meet at the park, do some good, get a run in. Simple enough, you’d think. But as the day unfolded, a collective decision was made: Why run when you can meet directly at the destination? Perhaps it was the distance to the park, perhaps it was the lure of a more leisurely approach to our community efforts. Whatever the reason, the running shoes stayed curiously clean for most of us.

However, not everyone succumbed to this unorthodox notion of a non-run. Enter Ashley and Rupesh, our heroes of the evening, who took it upon themselves to uphold the sacred tradition of the Group Run. With a spirit that could warm the coldest of hearts, they laced up, hit the pavement, and ran from their homes to meet us at the park. Their effort was nothing short of commendable, the kind of commitment that deserves a standing ovation—if not a medal.

The rest of us, on the other hand, chose a path of less resistance, assembling at the park like a slightly underwhelming flash mob. And what a lovely park it was! As we gathered, the air was filled with the cheerful chatter of comrades who had collectively decided that tonight, the run could take a backseat to the task at hand.

The evening’s mission was accomplished with all the usual Good Gym gusto, albeit without the cardio component we typically associate with these events. litter pickers. in hand, we tackled the task with the same enthusiasm we usually reserve for a good sprint. The work was done in record time, perhaps motivated by the thought of the comforting, stationary journey home.

As we wrapped up, there was a shared sense of achievement—though whether it was from the good deeds or the successful evasion of a run, it was hard to say. We parted ways, some walking, some catching a ride, and Ashley and Rupesh, well, they ran. Again. True legends of the night.

So there you have it: a Group Run where we mostly didn’t, a task completed with smiles all around, and a reminder that even when plans go awry, the spirit of Good Gym remains gloriously intact. And, in the end, isn’t that what it’s all about?

and also a big shout out to Ashley on her first goodGym event.