Wandsworth

Group run

Your good weed for the day

10 GoodGymers made their way 5km to help their local community in Wandsworth.

  • Anastasia Hancock
  • Sophie Humphrey
  • Jordan
  • Sarah McKean
  • Lucy
  • Adam Quigley
  • Catherine Moore
  • Caroline Halls
  • Madeleine
  • Ollie
 
Monday, 8th of November 2021
 
Led by Anastasia Hancock
she/her

Our task for the evening yesterday was back at Doddington community roof garden, a space which has been transformed by volunteers from a multistory carpark into a thriving garden for local people. It's a regular one for us, but it is always fun to see the surprise on people's faces when they visit for the first time - hidden away in a Battersea estate, it's up an easily-missable flight of stairs which opens out into a huge maze of flower beds, herb gardens and composting areas.

It was a short run of just over a mile down to the garden, so we started off the night with a warm up and a quick poll on the little and large things we're doing to help protect the environment. There were some top tips, including riding your bike as much as possible to get places, reducing meat and cutting out single-use plastic, but also some very bright ideas like deleting spam and unsubscribing from email lists which both carry a carbon footprint. You're a clever bunch!

We were excited to welcome Jenni for her first GoodGym session, and to talk about her show, Endurance which sees her perform a feat of endurance, live and in real time at the BAC. She gave us a little talk on how she was inspired by female ultra runners and also about her project 'When we run, we become', where she will be running with other people. Running safely in public spaces is something that we've talked about a lot at GoodGym - if you would like to continue this important discussion, do reach out to Jenni. And don't forget, we have a lovely community at GG, if you ever want to go out for a run and don't feel comfortable by yourself, drop a message on our whatsapp group or send me an email and we'll find a way to run with you!

After a good steady pace down to Doddington we arrived to find Malissa, lead volunteer, waiting for us. She led us through the garden, pointing out interesting plants as we went (while I was trying not to think about how many expensive 'proper' plants I've pulled up over the years of GG tasks, thinking they were weeds...). She distributed shovels, brooms and trugs, and we soon got cracking on various jobs round the garden.

After 40 minutes of hard work, we were almost done for the evening. Apologies for the quality of the photos - I was told a couple of weeks ago that they look like I'm taking them out of a moving car, at night, in the middle of a storm.

All that was left was that tough little leg finisher. We gathered out in the lovely Doddingon square and started smashing through some lower body exercises designed not exclusively to inflict pain, but also strengthen all those important leg muscles and create quads of iron. Some excellent form there everyone!

After that mean old hill and a few stretches to finish off, it was time for a bite to eat and drinks round the corner. Look out for the GG Wandsworth Christmas social coming soon! Next week I'll be away so our group run will be replaced with a Monday night community mission, check out the details here. A final word to wish Caroline, long-term GG Wandsworth member, farewell and good luck for her move to Bristol - have a brilliant time there!

Run happy, run safe, GoodGym.

Report written by Anastasia Hancock


Discuss this report

sign in to add a comment

Share the love

Join us on the next run

One off special Tuesday night group run! Shifting bags of compost

Tuesday 18:30 - 20:00
Led by Anastasia Hancock


Battersea Arts Centre

Find out more

Become a member

with an optional monthly donation

  • Run, walk, or cycle to help older people
  • Access sessions across the country
  • Claim your GoodGym t-shirt

Need help with a community project?

If you're a community organisation and have a physical task then we'd like to help.

Request a task

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more