Firstly, what is GoodGym? Basically:
Their profile reads:
“GoodGym helps you get fit by doing good. We’re a group of runners that combines regular exercise with helping our communities”
My first ever group run…
I’m a bit rubbish when it comes to exercising with others, always shying away from ‘gym buddy’ arrangements or joining other people in training. I have always been convinced that I can do it better by myself, which is why I’d known about GoodGym for over a year before actually joining them for a run…
Do you want the short run or the long run?
As I do run a bit each week (about 10 miles total) I chose to go ahead with the longer run, thinking I would feel like it was a waste to just go for 5k. What I wasn’t aware of at that stage was the speed at which we’d be running! I did hold a couple of people back a bit, and am very grateful that they stuck with me. The hills in Hampstead certainly didn’t help!
Helping to create a habitat for butterflies
The task this week was to help Jim in Hampstead, who looks after habitats for butterflies. I was worried about getting cold after all the hard running it took to get there, but fortunately I got hold of a gardening fork and warmed up by pulling up weeds! I was slightly disappointed that we didn’t have more time with this task, but it was still a great experience! On the way back to base I left the group and ran along the canal to get home, bumping into the other GoodGym group along the way! It was great to have the chance to run with everyone in one fail swoop 🙂
My thoughts about GoodGym
I surprised myself with how fast I could run for a long period of time (7 miles in total). When I got home I saw that I had been running at a speed of 9m30 per mile – much better than my usual 10m+! Running in a group definitely makes a difference, and though I did moan a bit at the beginning, I feel great for the extra effort. The task was rewarding too.
Why not join GoodGym for a run?
GoodGym Camden meets inside Somers Town Community Centre (NW1 1EE) near King’s Cross every Wednesday at 6.45pm. There are other GoodGyms too, not just Camden, so check out the website to find one near you. If you become a GoodGym member (£8/m) you get a T-Shirt and the chance to do one-off missions as well as group runs. Upcoming group runs include pond digging, heavy gardening and orchard weeding – I’ll definitely be booking onto one of these! Hope to see you there 🙂