Run and Stumpy

Return of the mat(tock), return of the mat(tock!)... ahem, sorry, just having a flashback to '90s school discos. Perhaps it was all those bicycle lights and head torches?

And speaking of flashbacks, Tuesday's run was like a flashback to the week before. Same time, same place, but this time with the added bonus of Sara from Incredible Edible and some handy tools too.

It's always amazing to see that come rain or shine, or in this case rain and wind, there are always keen Good-Gymers keen and ready to run. 19 people headed off to help Bobs Garden become more of an actual garden. More bushes to take down, more weeds to remove, more stumps to unearth!

Chris has wisely invested in a dinky but powerful lamp, which helped the wielders of the mighty mattock, and allowed us to work in to the depth of the night. An array of head torches is starting to sprout too - keep bringing them, gang!

After about 15 minutes the weather gods realised that they've been lenient for many many Good Gym sessions and unleashed a half hearted attempt at rain on us - but it didn't last for long and didn't throw anyone off their stride. Sadly, however, some of the stumps were fiercely entrenched in their flower beds and we had to leave them.

And then, away! Up and up we ran, to a plaza beside some of Bristol University's finest places of study. Almost a Personal Trainers dream, this plaza has benches, kerbs, bike racks, seats, space, space, and more space. Oh and some steps. First - team step races! Then the teams switched between lunges, bike rack rows, more lunges and planks. One unsuspecting passer by passed by but failed to be inspired by the teams efforts and didn't join in, despite an invitation. Perhaps next time.

We headed back to the Folk House, stretched and chatted. Good Gym Bristol had been nominated for a Voscur - a volunteering award, and we'd find out the next day (today for me as I write this) if we'd won. If this was telly, there'd be a 45 second protracted silence whilst the camera pans across my face as I waited anxiously to see if we'd won, but, sadly, it's not telly, and we didn't win. The award ceremony however was an excellent chance to meet loads of groups around Bristol and see if they have tasks for us! Watch this space for more exciting news about tasks (and perhaps awards too...)

But you know what? We don't need awards or honors. We just need a pair of trainers, some gardening gloves or a stack of leaflets, perhaps a mattock or pick-ax if we're lucky, and other like-minded fantastic people to go running with us. Like you guys. It's thanks to you all that at the award ceremony people had heard of GoodGym and were excited about the idea and prospect of working with us. So a very deep and heartfelt thanks from me.... THANKS!