It was an ace turn out tonight for our mash up with runners from Active Newcastle the organisation that aims to get people fit and have fun through a variety of activities in our city. Six new runners came along for a taste of Monday night good(gym)ness and they had no trouble in getting stuck in!

We were back at Elliott House tonight, the brilliant project for vulnerable men in Newcastle run by our charity partner Changing Lives . It was our third time at the project and every time we really feel like we can make a difference in giving the place a good spruce up. Tonight that spruce-up was in the front garden of the amazing house where weeding, litter picking and chopping-back bushes were much-needed. The only draw back of this project is that it's up the summit of Westgate Road meaning we always arrive with faces the exact same colour as our t shirts.

It's always a good look to match

There was a very chilled feel to the task this evening with many people choosing to sit to do the weeding (later regretting this through the struggle of getting back up) while David celebrated his tenth good deed with a savage attack on the bushes as he tried not to scratch his legs to bits in the process. Nice one Dave

Litter picking always uncovers many treats and tonight Michael unearthed a bike, while Laura and Nick each found part of a plastic cutlery set. I will spend tonight wondering where the spoon was though, meaning I will probably have some weird dreams.

We found out who had the most friends in the numbers game fitness session, and it also highlighted who isn't afraid to grass their friends up for cheating (that's you, Michael ) after which we also did a quick impromptu litter-pick in Elswick Park, because we just can't help ourselves even with a load of squats, jumps and lunges in our legs!

Thanks for another brilliant evening doing good things in our fabulous city. We hope to mash up with Active Newcastle again soon.

Remember, there's a chance to get involved with the Community Mission on Sunday: sign up here

And we are back at The Bike Garden next week for our {Group Run] (https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/town-moor-tidy-up)

Happy Running! Anji x

What a lift-off for GoodGym Newcastle!

After a big intro at our new base at Hotel Indigo from trainer Anji and not forgetting, of course, a massive group photo, 42 runners set off to do the first ever GoodGym good deed in Newcastle!

Back-marked by Ed, the group set off on what some described as a mountain up the famous summit known to others as Westgate Road, past the famous motorbike shops (did anyone teach our Southern visitors how to say mo-ta-bike in Geordie?) reaching the task venue for the night in just under 2K of completely uphill running- what a way to warm up!

We were met by the lovely Jill at Changing Lives who has really helped us to get GoodGym Newcastle off the ground. While some wanted to stay and enjoy the juice and biscuits being dished out, others were keen to get to work. There were four tasks in all: a huge garden clean up complete with jazzy gloves and tools and a kitchen clean then round in the main house, two groups got to grips with a communal area clean and a kitchen freshen up, complete with the dreaded OVEN CLEANING.

I wonder if they will pop over to my house later to have a go at my oven?

More juice, fruit and a few more photos and 40 minutes later we were off again, this time 2K downhill -yay

We stopped off to do a mini drill session led by Queen of the Drills Anji who really enjoyed seeing everyone looking super cool doing tip toe walks and trying not to trip over one another doing that cross-over-feet thing that footballers do.

We are back with Changing Lives next week (venue TBC) so join us for more uphill training, juice and jazzy gloves. We will be staying at Hotel Indigo for a bank holiday drink afterwards. Join us!