'Virtual Cross Country'

Running

I really enjoy running. Recently at school I did a twelve minute run in PE. For my age group, eleven years old, we're supposed to aim for six minutes of continuous movement, try it and see if you can manage it and run the whole six minutes or more, each time try to beat your previous time.

LYG Cross Country

Last year I took part in LYG Cross Country and was part of team Havering. This year due to Covid restrictions London Youth Games are hosting a virtual cross country from 21st November - 6th December 2020. It's split into age groups. Points are scored for participation and performance. Simply run your distance and submit your time to score points, it's that simple to take part. Follow on Instagram @haveringlyg and @ldnyouthgames

You can find more information at www.londonyouthgames.org

Go Havering!

What's running good for?

It's fun to run! Running can improve your physical and mental well being, reduce stress levels and help reduce long term illnesses.

Getting Active

Try to visit your local park and go for a jog or a brisk walk. Running on a crisp winter afternoon can invigorate your senses as much as a glorious summer morning, why not try it with a friend or family member you can give each other encouragement.  

Before Covid you could take part in your local Park Run, 5k, 10k runs and more ( www.parkrun.org.uk) it's free to join, you can run at your own pace plus your times are recorded and published weekly, hopefully the local park runs will be open again soon.  

If you're a beginner visit the NHS website and the Couch to 5K app on App Store or Google Play, you can build up gradually and run up to 5k in no time. 

"Try it, you might like it!"

Ruby Xx

'Changing Seasons'

Autumn

We have been in the autumn season since September. The leaves have turned from green to red, orange, yellow and brown, have you seen any autumn leaves yet? I have. Have you seen any conkers? There are lots of fun things you can do outside, autumn is definitely the season for collecting lots of lovely things on an outdoor walk. Perhaps you could try creating a picture with the leaves, a door wreath or even a bookmark. For more fun ideas visit the website www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk  

or www.havering.gov.uk/parks to find your nearest park and open spaces or discover one in the borough that you may not have visited before. (Ask an adult first before using the internet) 

I don't know if it's a myth but conkers inside your home are supposed to keep spiders away!

The clocks changing

Since the clocks changed recently I've noticed how dark it's getting earlier and earlier.

Why do the clocks change?

An American politician and inventor named Benjamin Franklin thought of this idea in Paris in 1784. He thought it would save more daylight and lights. Now you know why the clocks change!

All change please

On Thursday 5^th November the whole country went into a second national lockdown.

How are you feeling about the lockdown? I’m glad school is open as I get to do my school work and catch up with my friends but sadly no dance lessons or football training, so I’ll go out for a few bike rides and even a kick about in my local park. Make sure that you always have something positive to look forward to. That might be something small, like reading a new book or something bigger, planning Christmas activities or perhaps even a quiz with family and friends on Zoom. 

Whatever you choose, it just needs to be something that makes you feel good. For me that’ll be watching my favourite programme, baking, school or going on adventures in parks.

But hold on to hope and to glimmers of positivity: we made it through one lockdown and we can absolutely get through another. 

Let’s go outside

Aww, the wonderful outdoors. Whilst most of us are staying at home it’s also important to get some fresh air if you can. Whether you prefer a brisk walk or a sightseeing bike ride you should try to do this to improve your mental health and wellbeing. There are many parks in Havering where you can enjoy the beauty of the season. I like Langtons where there is a lake, plants, wildlife, wooden playground and even a wooden bridge (that's fun to try on your bike!) 

Dagnam park with wildlife which includes freely roaming deers; Hornchurch Country park with lots of open green space and bike trails; Harrow Lodge with a boating lake; Bedfords park which has many woodland walks and Hylands Park with tennis and basketball courts.

Don't forget to look out for the autumn leaves and spiders!

"Have fun, explore and enjoy"

 “We can do this”

Ruby Xx

'Home Fitness'

Hi everyone it's me Ruby! Exercise is a vital part of keeping well both mentally and physically fit, even more so during these challenging times, and there are plenty of ways. I'm going to share with you how to workout effectively at home.

What is fitness?

Fitness is the condition of being physically fit, mentally fit and healthy. Fitness is also an ability to have the quality of being suitable to fulfil a particular role, task or workout.

What is home fitness?

Home fitness is when you can work out from the comfort of your own home. You can follow a fitness instructor on a DVD or online by yourself or perhaps even try a Zoom fitness call with family and friends. Thanks to social media, we have direct access to top fitness trainers, many of whom live stream workout classes, plus there's a range of fitness apps to help you stay motivated. You can skip, dance, stretch or try yoga for free!

NTC. The Nike Training Club offers over 185 free workouts for all ages, 4+

GoNoodle Kids Videos

Just Dance Now

Available via App Store or Google Play.

Keeping fit at home

Fitness at home is great because you can workout at your own pace and create your own workouts, also its cheaper, look online for inspiration and ask an adult to help you if you look online. You can also go in your garden or balcony to do a couple of exercises or stretches. You don't have to go anywhere and you'll have the benefit of being fit and staying in your own home.

Did you do the Joe Wicks workouts like me during lockdown? I think Joe is a great fitness instructor, maybe that could be you one day...

Try checking out Joe Wicks fitness videos on YouTube, Courtney Black on Instagram, the NHS website, London Youth Games, Kidz Bop to dance along to and Change 4 Life for more information and activities that you can do at home. ( check with an adult before going online)

@courtneydblack

@thebodycoach

www.nhs.uk

www.kidzbop.co.uk

www.londonyouthgames.org

www.nhs.uk/change4life

Why should we keep fit?

We should keep fit because it will help us in our daily lives. For example, it reduces the risk of disease, controls weight, improves our mood and helps to keep our bones and muscles supple and strong.

Local Fitness

If the weather is ok there are lots of places to keep fit in Havering for free outdoors. Havering has the privilege to have lots of places to keep active. You can go for a brisk walk in the many parks, play tennis in the free tennis courts or swim in our many swimming pools for a small charge or you could go for a bike ride in a country park.

Ruby's home fitness workout 

10 crunches

15 squats

20 lunges

45 seconds of running on the spot

15 sit ups

15 press ups

30 seconds plank

20 star jumps

skipping

You can mix and match or adapt to suit your needs.

Remember not to overdo it, have rest breaks and drink water.

"Keep fit, don't sit"

Ruby Xx

'My Achievements'

I have accomplished special achievements in running, football, dancing and singing.

Running

I have set many running records for my primary school and hope to do the same in my secondary school. I love running and personally think I'm better at long distance because I have the energy, enthusiasm and stamina. My running hero is: Brigid Kosgei because she is a great long distance runner, has set a world running record and she won this years London Marathon with a well paced run of 2 hours 18 minutes.

Football

I played football for my primary school and we did really well. I'd even score the winning goal at times! I've watched West Ham, which is the team I support play at London Stadium and Upton Park. Right now, I'm training to be in a local football team and hope to make the squad. My football heroes are: Harry Redknapp and West Ham's Declan Rice because they are or were really good in midfield, which is where I am best at and they both could attack, defend well and are very skilful.

Dancing

I've been dancing since I was 2 years old and still enjoy it. I have got many distinctions, merits, certificates and medals for my exams. I have dancing once a week taking part in modern, tap and singing. I love singing I feel it's my strength. I even sing in the shower!

Singing

I have participated in Havering music festival three times, which was a record for my school.

I am so proud of my achievements and I hope you are of yours.

"Try your best"

"You don't know what you can achieve or accomplish until you try"

Ruby Xx