It was a proper whopper last night in Wandsworth! We had a very healthy group of 32 runners meet to run just under 6k to Paul’s Cancer Support Centre. This charity is a really important resource for local people living with cancer – it offers information, complementary therapies, groups and classes. They needed us to paint the office and give the rest of the place a really thorough clean, and we were only too happy to help!

First though, we met at the BAC to say our hellos. There was a lovely bunch of new faces to get to know this week. Welcome Hiliwona, Karis, Killian, Steph, Stu and Alice! And a big hello to ace Lambether Jitendra. Great to have Alex and Eva at their first Wandsworth group runs too.

Sarah, Sophie and Matthew all got a big pat on the back for racing (and missioning) this weekend. Mile End park run pacing next week, people! You can get happy by signing up here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/mile-end-parkrun-pacing. We also have fun drinks to look forward to for the whole of the GG crew on Thursday, get even happier by signing up here: https://www.goodgym.org/parties/spreading-our-wings-goodgym-2017. It’s been a rough old few days in the world, and there’s a never a better time to show a little love. So check out the website for local missions this weekend. London needs you!

Last week we thought the CoRUNdrum couldn’t be solved any quicker, but this week Will said he cracked it before we had even left. However, it was Dave who pounced quicker, cleverly knowing that it was William Wilberforce who was a member of the Clapham Sect who led the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade. Joint prize goes to Dave and Will I think – but gets taken away again because they heckled their way through the fitness session later on that evening ;)

With a very smiley Sally backmarking for us, we set off to the charity to be met by Marisca who took us through our tasks. With so many of us, we got all our jobs done super quickly – Hiliwona in charge of hoovering, Jordan and Sally making the painting a work of art, and the rest of us wiping down walls, dusting, cleaning cupboards and generally giving the place a right good tidy.

Jobs done, we set off for Battersea Park where we worked on three major muscle groups; arms, legs and abs. These sort of exercises are perfect for strengthening our bodies which stabilises us when we’re running to give us a more efficient, and essentially faster, running style. First we did a round of squat holds, mountain climbers and steps ups – each for a minute at a time. After one minute’s rest we moved on to arms. Tricep dips, narrow and wide arm press ups, each for one minute. A short rest and we smashed out the abs, with a minute each of crunches, bicycles and planks. And then we repeated the whole lot. Who’s regretting getting GG Wandsworth a whistle for Christmas now then?

We split into three groups for the run home (discussing our big plans for Strava art on the way), and we had worked so hard that we didn’t even finish with a hill sprint. Don’t worry, there’s always next week. Speaking of which, you can sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/do-good-get-fitter. Go on, you know you want to! Well done on a cracking week GoodGymers, you’re making Wandsworth a nicer place to live. And getting abs of steel in the process – bargain!

8 Goodgymers ran 4 KM to paint a converted classroom at Sharrow community centre.

The task

The task facing us tonight was to finish the paint job we started last week at Sharrow community centre. The centre used to be a primary school but now acts as a hub right in the centre of Sharrow in Sheffield.

Once again, Maria, our contact at the centre had left a number of brushes and rollers for the team to use. She had also very kindly left us some refreshments which was very kind.

The team was painting for 45 Minutes before the task was complete. Our team was fantastic once again. The community centre are very, very grateful for all of our work. Thank you.

Before long we were cleaning up and ready to move on

Frozen fitness

We then proceeded back to base where we used the car park at Sheffield United for some relay races. All terrific fun. We threw in some squats and spotty dogs - awesome . We are back out again every single Monday - rain or shine. Same time, same start location. Monday 30th Jan we are meeting at Bramall Lane for our weekly group run which may be doing some work at Abbeydale Picture House TBC. Sign up here

GoodGym Sheffield is funded by Age Better in Sheffield in association with South Yorkshire Housing Association and the Big Lottery fund.