The start of a new era at GoodGym Newham with our first group run as a community led group.

Paige joined us for her first group run which was excellently led from the Print House by Hilary following completing her fitness leader training.

We have retained the random weekly question and this week was ' favourite weekend activities ' answers included trip to seaside,city breaks,cinema,brunch,being out in nature and Im sure some you can guess who gave these replies paintball and parkrun.

A gentle evening run to Emmauel Church where we meet Sybil and some of the parish leadership team.

Planting was the job of the evening,some of the plants had seen better days but looked better after a good water and we are sure Sybil will look after them.

As usual refreshments had been provided by the Sybil some fruit and ice lollies.....a welcome cool down before we headed off into the setting sun.

Next week we are heading to Newham Hospital to help tidy their Globe garden

Swansong session yesterday, with a tremendous turnout of some of my favourite people, a lovely conclusion to a job that gave me so much.

It transpired that I've run out of Random Weekly Questions, trying to refrain from a deeper enquiry about change or anything of the tear-jerking variety, hence I was blank; so we rolled a positive and somewhat sentimental question: "Favourite GoodGym organisation ?" Turns out there were loads, no clear winner, an indication of how broad our church is and how many remarkable local projects there are.

I then proceeded to say a few words, delving into what GoodGym has given me. For those who know me know that discussing and interrogating my emotions isn't what I consider a night out, I'm a huge advocate for the dated practice of bottling things up, but the occasion was worthy.

To reiterate what I may have mumbled, I'm mostly grateful for the lifelong friendships, enforced by the experiences of volunteering, running, British weather, travelling, racing and drinking. With a special nod to a lovely couple, whose relationship was forged by a series of Wednesday evening connections. Proud, for the impact we have had on the locality, the number of messages I get saying "how amazing your volunteers are". Equally, proud for the transformational change many of you have undergone through running. Loss, because I will miss you all. But I always end with this positive feeling; I think because it's now left in a very capable set of hands; arise Task Force.

Amongst this milestone, we did actually do some good yesterday, in the form of my least favourite task, flyering. The morale was high, so it was hit easily absorbed. With the return of some long-serving sisters, Mel and Ruth (and later Charlotte), it felt like 2019 again, what a treat to see you, appreciate the effort to come. With big numbers comes big effect, and we managed to get our flyering done in no time, leaving many moments to loiter and talk curb-side.

With the realisation I can't summarise nor do justice to my thoughts on my tenure, I'll wrap this up now. But not after a huge thanks to my lovely photo-book compilation.

It's not bye, but see you later.

Till next time,

B

The Fitness Session; some love it, some reluctantly oblige and some detest it, but we all get a physiological boost, and a dose of endorphines not found on an easy social jog, you got to earn that buzz baby.

We booted off proceedings with an ice breaker in the form "shite inventions?" inspired by a wifi secure tap I came across, what in the thames-water-tech-hell is that about? Non-waterproof plasters, command strips, hotel chocolates, hotel towels, hotel mini-mugs, wide section bike racks, two-tier bike racks and the plethora of iphone chargers.

We jogged down to the little park, or Three Mills Park, as Rosa corrected me, where we were to explore multiple running paces in the sticky evening air. 8 laps, about ninety second recovery after each - and an objective to only get faster. With a 4 rep practise, then an elimination for the second half to put some skin in the game.

Early reps nice and comfy, got a bit punchy by rep 2/3, before tapping back into a more reserved flow, and then cranking up the heat on the final 3. A great session that lends itself to a fast last lap, exactly where our man Euge muscled past me with tremendous power, where everyone dug in and nailed the finish. And a hats off to the Princes who kept the circuits alive energetically in the rest period.

Next week we head to Cody Dock, as you all know it's my last session, so I look forward to raising a glass to you; for making my job so damn easy, for transforming your neighbourhood and for some quality craic.

Till then,

B

Heatwave edition yesterday, a day for vests and shorts (and thick knitted jumpers?). We jogged and caught up heading north on the high street. But only after we shared some good or bad spontaneous activities; last min ski trip, night's out gone wild, random decision to pin on a race number and solo travelling in the Canaries. All good examples it seems, spontaneity is good, case closed.

Hils and Kev greeted us at the church, as we wasted no time getting to work on the task. Weeding the beds, which we planted bulbs in not so long ago. Definitely needed, as the bulbs have grown nicely, but with a trim and purge of the weeds their imminent floral bloom will be much more impressive. Topics of discussion: only children, trends in amount of children, cost of living, policing methods, US election and composting - that's just what I overheard.

Pineapple, apple and biscuits were thrust upon us to finish, as we left a bit later than planned. Eugene valiantly ran home with his tropical fruit prize, bravo to that man.

Next week we get a traffic free jog down the Greenway, as we head over to Newham Hospital, a long term partner of ours that have recently reached out again. Sign up here.

Till next week,

B