15 goodgymers run 10k delivering posters and fliers for CoHoC

This week we had a sequel. Like any good movie sequel, it was bigger, better, longer faster with more special effects. No seriously, the firework going off just as I got to the turning off Ipswich Road was really a special effect I hadn't bargained for!

Tonight we welcomed 6 new runners from the Emmaus community. Because of some task jiggling, what would have been a shorter run on the 2nd November actually became our longest run to date, but that didn't detract them, and there was the usual chatter and anticipation as we set off on our run.

Because it was a long run and relatively short task, the fitness session took place on the run, and Angela explained an uphill running technique at the base of Ipswich road which will become key for those planning on doing Colchester Half Marathon Sign up here

Ian was so excited about this new technique as it made running up Ipswich road a breeze, and he will definitely be using it going forward.

We got to The Crescent to deliver the posters, and unlike last week, some businesses were still open so we could go in and tell them about the Santa run as well. Once the posters were delivered, we said good bye to Sue and Helen, (as they had already run from Severall's to meet us at Leisure World - they did the run in reverse), and made our way back to Leisure world.

This time we ran via Mill Road and Northern Approach, and Angela managed to even include a jungle adventure detour on what most thought was a completely residential route.

We made our way back to Leisure World for a stretch and debrief, and Angela reminded the runners about the DBS Doc Check Party taking place at parkrun this week You must sign up if you intend for your docs to be checked.

Next week, we'll be returning for some Wombling for Rivercare - Sign up here - Make sure you bring your gloves and headtorches!

Run Report written by Angela Isherwood

19 runners deliver 100 posters for CoHoC

We gathered together for our longest run to date. Sue and Lucy had completed the Chelmsford Marathon on Sunday, and Tav the Greenwich 10k. All had had very successful races and were looking forward to a gentle run to help ease their aching muscles.

In our pre-run briefing, we learnt about Colchester Hospitals Charity, and how they are raising money for the Time Garden - a garden for End of Life Patients at Colchester Hospital. Whilst many of our tasks involve gardening, and we will no doubt be called in to help maintain the Time Garden, Wednesday's task involved delivering posters to the businesses on Whitehall Industrial Estate.

I made sure to mention the risk of paper cuts in the pre-run risk assessment, and then proceeded to demonstrate that risk by getting a paper cut whilst putting the posters in my backpack!

Genius!

The posters were to advertise the Santa Run in Castle Park, a great event, and I'm sure some of us will take part.

We made the longer run to Whitehall Industrial Estate, and regrouped to come up with a plan to cover the area. We split in half taking opposite sides of the road. Unfortunately, parts of the industrial estate were locked and we couldn't deliver posters to them. In addition, some places didn't have post boxes. But, we made sure that those that did have delivery slots were adorned with a lovely poster!

We got 100 posters delivered in 15 minutes actually it was more like 17 but still good going, it would have taken one or two people much longer than that.

After we'd finished the task, half of us ran back to Leisure World, lead by Lucy, and half of us ran to the New Inn pub for our monthly social. This was a welcome change of scene organised by Ian. I think everyone was really impressed by the good value and good quality food, as well as being able to move onto cozy sofas after we'd finished eating.

Well done every one!

Run Report by Angela Isherwood

Next week, same task, different location - we'll be running up to Severalls to deliver more posters - an even longer run than this week. Sign up here

3.5km for a sunset bonfire, weeding and wood cracking.

We welcomed a couple more new faces to the GG Southwark fold tonight and some old faces that we'd missed. After a quick GG intro, we set off up the familiar hill of Chadwick Road to Grove Park Allotments and to meet Lizzie. She already had a good fire going and lots of different tasks for us to get stuck into.

The optional task of bursting through the bonfire smoke in a Stars in their eyes manner may have occurred more than once.

(Watch this space for a karaoke social!) We were weeding the paths to widen them for wheelchair access, watering plants and clearing dead wood either into the fire or to dry for one of the allotment users wood burner. Sorting the thorny bits from the non-thorny bits was a bit haphazard but we survived relatively unscathed.

Once we'd finished up, it was another skipping warm up special as we made our way to Warwick Park for some glute work to finish off the session.

Hopping, clam walks and frog leaps were the order of the evening. This, in hindsight, was a little mean given two of our group had spent the previous days travelling back to the UK after epic trips. Nonetheless, the drills were finished with finesse and we ambled back in the final light of the day. Lovely.

What a glorious evening!

10 runners met in the dusk sunshine at the top of the very busy Peckham Rye to run a short run to get our hands dirty at Cossall Park.

After a warm up with a variety of different jumps whilst giving a mini intro, we set off in a totally different direction to Cossall Park to help the lovely Jaki and Allen. They manage the community grow beds which are built into the local park, engaging school children, scouts and local residents in outdoor activity and growing veg and plants. They also look after nearby Kirkwood Nature Reserve which they reclaimed which was an overgrown den used as a sharps dumping ground and a dog toilet.

It was lovely to see what they've been up to and we got set to work weeding in 3 areas with some wonderful gardening tools. With the radio playing, local kids playing near and a beautiful sunset to boot, we made light work of the weeding despite finding lots of hidden mini potatoes and lots of impressively long worms.

Jaki was pretty pleased with how much we had gotten through and had the orange squash ready for us once we'd finished. Deepak had to be torn away from turning earth so we may have to revisit or continue the gardening run (ha) this spring. Matt also had his nettle cuttings ready to brave making nettle risotto - we have a very practical group here in Southwark!

We said our goodbyes to the lovely couple but not yet to the park... when we arrived, it was clear that the play area could been used for a bit of fun so Jo set up a mini obstacle ... plank, sideways bear crawls, squats on the most unstable platform and a run through the rope gauntlet. The squats were pretty tricky but everyone survived (don't panic headoffice!) and finished by hanging off another implement and realising how difficult chin ups were.

Warmed up and a bit sweaty from the obstacle, we ran the short distance home at a quick pace, fuelled by squash and sunshine. If that's not a perfect Wednesday evening...

6 runners run 6.6km in 40minutes crossing the borough to work at the nature reserve.

For what will be the last time before the summer, we ran the route of many traffic lights and busy roads up to Galleywall Nature Reserve to see Alan.

There is no greater joy than running on a beautiful, dry evening with a load of other people enjoying the dusk.

The last time we were there, some of us were levelling out an area to prepare for new bike racks which we were pleased to discover are now in place! Not only this, but the benches we had half built were waiting to be completed. Half the group set to work to finish these off and managed an almost sturdy bench by the end. No mention of any drill bits or novice handy work needed, they're for children anyway!

The rest of us picked rubbish, spread bark over new pathways and created a wheelchair / buggy ramp over an overflow pipe. And we didn't need the lights until the last 10 minutes. Did I mention I love it when the clocks go forward?

After lots of thank yous all round, as it was galleywall, we skipped to warm up. Our GG schoolteacher informed us that skipping is no longer as prevalent in the playground now as it was in the 90's. Shame. A sprint race and some ambitious pacing and we were practically back at Old Spike for a stretch and reminder of GoodGym Drinks next Thursday.

With regular Camden trainer Paul “PB” Bown off performing in Les Mis (that’s right, isn’t it?) , Simon from Islington popped over to say hello tonight.

It was a quick getaway for the first group of Camdenites who were ably led by Becky and Pritesh to go and help make some beds at the homeless shelter in Goodge Street (as in sheets, not constructing the frames or anything).

For the last time this winter we headed to the American International Church to help Stephanie make beds for the homeless. In total only four beds needed to be made, testament to the work that the churches have done to help re-home those that have needed their help over the winter. With only a few beds needing to be made we also helped set the dinner table for that evening. This gave us a chance to show off our napkin origami with Becky being particularly skilled at making mice! Hidden talents everywhere! With that done we said our final goodbyes to Stephanie who is heading back to the USA and then headed off to join the group at the foodbank!

The rest of us – including first timer Nathan - had a little more time on our hands and did a nice warm up including a quick go at a couple of Running A- and B-drills before putting our new technical skills into practice with a few speedy strides.

Polly led us over to Chalk Farm foodbank where we were met by the lovely Adrienne who explained that our job for the evening was to collect crates of grub and affix different coloured stickers to each item of food according to its expiry year. There seemed to be a lot of cereal and breakfast food (or maybe I’m just saying that cos it makes the run report title easier). I don’t think any of us realised how tough it is to find the best before date on a lot of these packages. But we managed it and got through the whole lot. We were helped by the bed makers who finished their first task super speedily and joined us not long after the first group arrived.

Before hitting the streets for the journey home we took advantage of the carpeted floor and did a bit of core work. There were supermans, press ups, burpees, calf raises, split squats and a little bit of core-dination at the end.

For the trip back we split into two groups with Pritesh and Becky taking a longer route via recycling bins to drop off a few bits and pieces and Simon and Polly taking a more direct route and playing a little game of secret surges.

As we had a nice stretch back at the centre the new Camden “Top Tip of the Week” feature was introduced. This week the advice was to not waste money on expensive protein shakes. A blend of 500ml of milk, 50 grams of skimmed milk powder and 50 grams of milkshake powder will provide a nutritionally equivalent supplement for about a fifth of the price.

See you at some point in April, Camden. A pleasure as always :)

Simon