Kicking off 2020 twenty two strong. Pleasure to be back gliding down the canals and taking a little bit of individual come social action with you superb human beings.

Lots of returning personalities came back to enliven and enrich our collective. Chris back from hols, Muyiwa returning for an aerobic top up, Misbah defeating a dodgy ankle, Andy making it count, Melanie back where she belongs and the lesser spotted Tori. Not only does this mean we get more done, but we get it done with you lovely peeps.

As my mum used to say "New Year, old warm up", so we whipped through our tried and tested dynamic moves (mum never said that). We discussed the January Challenge, currently 10th in the Silver League, let's start hauling some ass and climbing it guys! If you ain't signed up to Strava then get on it and log some runs for us! It can be motivating seeing what others do plus useful for exploring running routes and different ways to train - sign up. We also need to keep our group participation high and get as many good deeds as we can. May I remind you we are the moral winners of GG Olympics 2019 (officially 2nd place - that's what the haters would say). Anyway, let's have a pop at this and as a by-product boot of January in style. Come on GGN!

There were plenty of impressive runs over the break, stand out is Helen's PB, I believe on xmas day, that's the only present you need, am I right? A few other double Parkruns on NY day. I saw a returning to her best, Victoria, graceful gait apparent at Highbury Fields Parkrun. I was lumbering along trying to catch a young prodigy, not to be.

RWQ, "Highlight or lowlight of your festive period?" Some warming answers we had - spending time with the family, seeing new babies, seeing the new twin babies! We also had the foodies - enjoying the cakes, the xmas dinners. The al fresco go-getters enjoying their walks and runs. Plus the naked uncles aimlessly wandering through the house.

It was a bit longer than 'normal' this week, 2.2 miles to our task. Litter picking our adopted section of canal in Clapton. Think it went pretty well, whilst it was relatively clean, we still reeled in a fair bit of crap. I saw Corey essentially fishing, with remarkable success I might add. A true outdoors man, reckon he can catch a hammer head shark with that mechanical hand. He did get a helmet, and some other disgusting plastic stuff out the canal. So we finished up with a cleaner stretch, and that's a good thing. Mel brought it to my attention that we should use less bags as we don't fill them, good point, let's please remember to do this next time.

When we got back Paul had stealthily brought out a selection of doughnuts and other confectionaries to share. He not only arrives under the cover of the night, but he clandestinely reached 50 good deeds too. Paul was there on GGN's first ever session, 7 + years ago. That's an exceptional bit of loyalty and longevity, getting back into a regular routine now. An awesome team player and never afraid to take the run out hard. Hat's off for your milestone mate.

I'm going to set up a Parkrun and starter session on the 25th of Jan. Keep your calendars open, this is to bring in new members to the club, so the more of you guys the better.

Next week we are at Manorfield Primary School to receive a deliver of tables, sign up here as we need a big team for this.

See you beauts next week

B