Give me a head-torch, I am not for this brambling!

23 of Lewisham's top runner/volunteers ran into the darkness to cover 6km, tackle some stubborn weeds and brambles and to take on everything Hilly Fields had to throw at them.

Just one first-timer tonight, but Ian really should take centre stage and get all the Lewisham Love as it's his birthday tomorrow! Happy birthday Ian! It's always lovely to welcome back second-timers too but, as they roll up looking all confident in their red t-shirts, it feels like they've been running and doing good for years. Welcome back also to a few people who (in their own words) have been 'a bit lazy'. You know, that's OK, no need to feel guilty about enjoying a bit of sofa time!

Our news items this week were full of the letters P and B. Well done to Kim and Lucy, who both bagged themselves a PB at Beckenham Place parkrun, where a group of us joined the GoodGym Race Team to do some pacing. Well done to Amber, who ran her first ever parkrun...and loved it and great running from James, who ran a tough-sounding half-marathon yesterday in That Wind!

This week we were excited to be heading over to see Linda at the Honor Oak Adventure Playground, our first visit this year. A quick name-check and a game of Tag-Freeze to warm us up, a bit of fast-feet and a brain-challenging grapevine move and we were breathing harder and starting to glow a little.

That grapevine thing...just remember, 'side, in front, side, behind, side, in front, side, behind...'

We had two volunteers for the role of back-marker, thank you to Kat and Eve, who made sure we didn't leave anyone behind - did you know we have a back-marker at all our group runs? We also regroup every so often; it's so much nicer arriving at the task together.

Our run took us through Ladywell, past the cemetery, through Crofton Park and over the railway line to the adventure playground. For those who haven't been here before, this was all a bit mysterious. After a stunning sunset, it was now so dark that we could barely see the entrance. Time to switch on the head-torches and work in pairs, making sure at least one person could light the way. We will be returning here in a couple of weeks, when we hope it will be light enough to have a run around and an actual adventure!

Once everyone had grown accustomed to the darkness, little groups formed, exploring the space and finding what needed doing. It wasn't immediately obvious how vast the area is, so people gradually disappeared into the darkness, as areas of brambles were located and 'dealt with'. Green waste was added to the compost bin that we uncovered in the long grass last summer and a good few bags of rubbish were scooped up and disposed of.

Excellent work!

It was nice to chat on the run over to Hilly Fields, where I informed everyone that this session would be much nicer than the one a few weeks ago, which was REALLY tough. Tonight's hill-love took the form of some repeats up Eastern Road, making use of the lamp posts. We concentrated on running lightly (no slappy feet please!), driving our arms and feeling tall. It was all there, good work!

Up and over now and a return to base for a stretch and a natter. Next week we will visit GRACE, helping to set up for the special fundraising family fun day next Saturday, and, with the clocks going forward this weekend, we hope to be without the head-torches and maybe even feeling a little warmer.

Happy #InternationalDayofHappiness :)