Wandsworth

Group run

It was a coal in one!

24 GoodGymers made their way to help their local community in Wandsworth.

  • Anastasia Hancock
  • Ruth
  • Matthew Stuart
  • Sophie Humphrey
  • Jordan
  • Ellie Halls
  • Judith
  • Sarah McKean
  • Frances Collier-Wright
  • Helen Killingley
  • Emily
  • Nicky Woodall
  • Tim Wheatley
  • Christopher O'Driscoll
  • Jenny Godfrey
  • Stephanie Stevenson
  • Isabelle Ellis
  • Matt Porsz
  • Caitlin Woodman
  • Reece Remedios
  • Oliver Cannon
  • Lizzie Conway
  • Eleanor Hemming
  • Claudia
 
Monday, 18th of March 2019
 
Led by Anastasia Hancock
she/her

Last night was all about the figures as 25 runners shifted dozens of bags of coal, knocked out a serious number of burpees, ran almost 5km and created the best '19' photo ever.

  • It would be great to get some GoodGym faces down to a great community mission this Saturday - it's a NEMCA (North East Mitcham Community Centre) and involves painting a pirate ship, fence and gardening to help sort out the children's area. Sign up and find out all the details here. It's the first time we've linked up with this organisation so it would be lovely to have a good turnout!

  • Brilliant to have some great GG tourism last night from as far as York! Please also welcome Oliver, Eleanor and Claudia who came along for their first run last night - great to have you join us!

  • A big well done to Ruth who ran her way to a PB at the Reading Half at the weekend - fantastic job! And a hat tip to all those who did parkrun too.

After a warm up we went round the group and revealed to each other our worst habits, which actually weren't too bad at all. From not replying to texts, to not wiping down the bread board, drinking too much, sleeping too little and forgetting our own names, it could have been a whole lot worse!

In a last minute change from our scheduled task and long run which got cancelled yesterday, we had a job to do for the amazing Katherine Low Settlement. This much-loved charity has been supporting the community in Battersea since 1924. It helps children, young people and their families, older people and refugees and newly arrived communities, and the busy building is used for community activities and events by over 500 people a week, so they asked us to come and give them a hand with the space.

After a shortish run down there, we arrived to find caretaker Tony waiting for us. We divided into two teams, the first being taken down into the basement, and the second starting to clear out a lot of junk from other rooms that needed emptying so KLS can use the space. Using our preferred method for shifting work, we got ourselves into human chain and started moving the huge number of bags of coal up from the basement. This coal, we were told, had been there for no less than 50 years! Great effort, because those bags were flipping heavy. Meanwhile, the other team were moving all manner of stuff, including chairs, filing cabinets, tables and massive pieces of wood outside ready to be skipped. What an upper body work out!

Not that we were done there....because after a hard workout doing good, we moved over to the park next door to knock out a testing fitness session. Accompanied by a dog who wanted a piece of the GG action, we started out with one burpee and sprint in the first minute, followed by two in the next, and so on until we couldn't do reach the number of reps in the space of one minute. We then moved on to some plank work, before taking a run back to the BAC hill. Here Chris, who is training to become a run leader (hooray!) took over and, after some technical points, led the group through some tough hill reps. Great coaching Chris, thank you!

All that was left after that was some well-earned stretches before heading off to a Wandsworth social - keep a look out for next month's if you couldn't make it last night! Next week we're off to the incredible Oasis children's playground for some serious digging. Sign up here for all the details. Until then, happy running!

Report written by Anastasia Hancock


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Anastasia Hancock
Led by Anastasia Hancock

Area Activator for Wandsworth and Hounslow. All things running. For fitness, fun, racing and to feel good - and for everybody!

GoodGymers helping out
  • Back marker

    Make sure that no one is left behind

    • Helen Killingley

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Lunchtime group run to help empty and spring clean the community hub

Monday 11:45 - 13:15
Led by Anastasia Hancock


Battersea Arts Centre

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