This week, as the title suggests, we did something a little different again to keep us moving and connected....and make people look at us like we're a little odd!

The challenge was to find as many things on a list as possible...those with the full 12 hit the Bingo jackpot....bragging right basically...but those that don't manage to get all the things on the list still have a great time searching and gives their daily exercise another perspective.

The 12 things on the list were:

1. Picture of a yellow vehicle
2. Vehicle number plate with the first two letters being the same as your initials.
3. Record a walk/run/cycle of over 10km
4. Selfie with an animal that ISN'T a cat/bird/dog/cow
5. Selfie with another GoodGym member (socially distanced)
6. A blue flower, not in your own garden.
7. Picture of two magpies together
8. A shop/road or any type of sign with your first name in it
9. Run in non matching shoes, picture of you not at home as evidence.
   1. Picture of a positive message written in chalk or pen outdoors that ISN'T NHS related, and isn't a sticker or on print.
   2. Picture of you hugging a tree that is too big to get your arms around
   3. 2 red cars next to each other.

Now, everyone did amazingly well...we all had a lot of fun....Quite a few of us managed to get all 12.......but technically only Lea and Keith managed them all, bar one not being within the strict rules.....I know I know....there's going to be disagreements....but I'm writing this so technically I'm in charge! Mwahahahahahah! That's my evil laugh....

I know these are difficult times, and we're all a little sensitive...but we're also adults!

So if I'm being very strict..... 1. Yellow isn't amber or orange 2. First two letters means first two letters, and initials are first name and second name...or those plus a middle name...which makes it three letters... 3. this wasn't an issue for anyone 10km is 10km 4. also not an issue 5. also not an issue 6. blue is blue an not purple, violet etc 7. also not an issue 8. also not really any issues here 9. also no issues with this one 10. lots of issues here....all lovely messages...but chalk and pen is chalk and pen....not on card cut outs or on any material that's not been written by hand.... 11. this one wasn't an issue either....but for the photo our arms should be fully stretched out.....that's a true test that it's too big to hug all the way around...plus who hugs like that...I know we haven't had a lot of practice recently!!! 12. 2 cars next to each other isn't the same as one in front of another....

The animal selfies were brilliant, I especially liked Lea's with a snail and Marianne with a Bee....and Caprice with a turtle was awesome! Neil with a Tiger was....well, very....exotic..... The hugging a big tree one was fun too, not only because I'm sure we were all on the receiving end of some odd looks from people....but it's actually proven to relieve stress!! How many of you discovered something about your feet running in odd shoes? Did you realise one of your feet moves and flexes differently to your other one? One is bigger than the other? It was nice to get selfies with other GoodGymers too, great to see others and share a smile with them

I think, for me, this was one of my favourite challenges and I think we should do these more often. It would be great if each week someone came up with a different list and we all tried to get as many as possible.

These challenges are changing soon and won't be something I as a trainer will be setting up, as the role of trainer is changing very soon. There are going to be lots of changes to GoodGym and how things work. We will keep you posted, all trainers are currently discussing new roles and the implications on our community. There will be more official communications out very soon.

Thank you all for taking part and again bringing a smile to each other's faces.

Love you guys!

This week's challenge to the group was to delve into the magical world of the animal kingdom. We did this by using Strava and other mapping apps, to draw and map out the best animal we could manage.

Some used parks, others used roads, some ran short distances and other like Neil ran 12km and managed to make the whole route look like a Rhino! That's really good going!

We had a Snail, Armadillo, Goose, Dog, Dolphin, Unicorn, Squirrel, Polar Bear, Spider, Fox, Fish, barking Dog, Giraffe/Llama and a Rhino.....

Pretty impressive that nobody did the same animal type...apart from the dog of course, but one was a body the other a head!

Many animals looked like they could have been something else too, so the gang showed great creativity and fluidness! I reckon we may be able to start up our own Rorshach test and make millions!

It was like a two day Safari, with entries coming in from Tuesday morning, all the way up to Wednesday evening.

John's challenge this week....well, that was to dress up as one of the animals that we had drawn up....and after mulling it around the group decided on Rhino, but to make it more magical, decided a chubby Unicorn would be better...that's essentially what a Rhino is, right Caprice?

We will have to wait for photos of John dressed up as he is doing his cycle this evening....we can't wait!

Well done everyone, hope you've all recovered from the weird looks you got running around in circles!

Something different next week, so stay tuned!

This evening's group run broke new attendance record for Bournemouth. Mainly thanks to 9 amazing humans coming to do some good from 3 Sided Cube. They came along last year as part of their 12 days of Christmas project where they volunteer at twelve different organisations to spread the Christmas spirit. You guys were great, and we'd love you to come along more often. Keep an eye on the website and if you see any group runs that tickle your fancy, come and join us, you're always welcome.

It was also special because we welcomed back Andrea who we had been missing for a while....hopefully things settle down for you and we get to hang out more often! We miss you!!!

We were extremely lucky again this week with the weather. It had been raining on and off most of the day and twenty minutes before our meeting time the weather decided to mellow and allow us to get out and do our good deed for the day! We are very grateful! Most of us misjudged the temperature and as a result had extra layers on....way too many layers and soon after the first hill climb onto the overcliff that's when we realised we had made a mistake.... But the gang stayed positive and split up into different paced groups. Caprice made sure no one was left behind by themselves!

When we got there Alex explained what needed doing and everyone grabbed donation boxes and starting sorting through dates and products. We only had 25 minutes but everyone moved super quick! In no time we had managed to clear so many boxes and even had time for team photos at the end too!

The run back was a little more direct and with less hills as we were trying to get back in time to collect our bags at exactly 8pm. And it still wasn't raining either! How lucky are we!? Must be all that good karma we have been building up!

Next week we are doing a shorter run, it's a flyer drop for the YMCA. Check it out here and sign up!

Well done everyone! We are out for our Christmas dinner this Friday but will be in town around 20:30 for drinks so get in touch if you would like to join us!