To go forwards, you must go backwards

Eight GoodGymers on a cold June afternoon inside the warm Old Spike Roastery for the 3.3k group run to Old Alleynian Rugby Club. It was the first time Ed and Julia had joined a group run after attending a few other GoodGym sessions - community missions. After Sam welcomed them and gave his welcome GoodGym speech to the team, he then presented Lindy with the old GoodGym black cape with the 50 badge and a balloon with 50 on it to celebrate her milestone, which she achieved 10 days prior. Congrats again! With too much emotion for a small cafe, we proceed to warm-up on the green.

Everyone had the chance to think about their answer for the ice-breaker question tonight, which was all to do with Sam watching "House of Gucci" and seeing some good and bad acting performances, so he asked: Which actor or actress would play you in your biopic - for looks or for acting skills?

You will have to guess who picked who, but we had Eddie Redmayne, Adam Driver, Billie Piper, Emily Blunt and Kate Winslet to name a few.

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Touch, pause, garden (or the other way round)

Our steady 20 minute (3.3k) run took us through East Dulwich via Crystal Palace Road and into Dulwich Park before meeting Ian and Olive who had cycled to the task and was already getting stuck in.

Ian had a short tidying up session for us, which was to rake and bag up compost, clear back any growth (especially nettles) and to lay down sand in holes on the rugby pitches, which Ed took care of. The session lasted 20 minutes before Ian decided to call it for a night as he threw everyone into a touch rugby game - split by red t-shirts versus non-red t-shirts, which was an advantage for the red team with an extra player.

The game was simple - touch rugby - run forwards and pass the ball backwards. If you get touched, you stop running, pause and pass the ball to your teammate. After five (very loose) touches, the ball would be turned over to the opponent for them to attack and try to score a try.

After 15 minutes, we were locked in at 4-4 and with the last play approaching, Emma broke through to score a last-minute try for the red (GoodGym) team! Everyone was knackered as the rugby session was quite tiring for those who haven't played before.

Our group run was complete after making a pit-stop at Dawson's Hill to take in the views before running back to Old Spike Roastery via Peckham Rye Common.

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! Another packed session, where I had planned to do quite a few things and luckily we could get them done in the two hours. Thanks for bearing with me and many many congrats to Lindy for hitting her 50th good deed and we hope to see you wearing the black t-shirt soon!

And as for Daryl, Emma and Nelly - the GG cape awaits you!

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Thank You Ian

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for arranging this session - a mixture of gardening and rugby. I know Ed is keen to get back into rugby again and may come and play touch on Saturdays, so your encouragement and enthusiasm to get people playing works. Keep it up and I'll be in touch soon about the next session!