Paul Cornick

The moon, full to the layman's eye, shone brilliantly overhead, we congregated and chatted as per norm. Two distinct points to note, our long lost brother, Brad, rose from his GG slumber and got stuck in once more, magnificent to see the man back. Equally significant, Jensen, not put off by our running, community action and lunges, came back for his second session. Get in.

It was a real good start - with 12 people in total - I don't think we've had numbers this healthy since the C- word. Shows how resilient and tight our group is, keen to build it back up with you all.

RWQ, was a deep one, for the thinkers, the cogitators: "what's your favourite biscuit?" Bourbon taking the win on votes, chocolate hob nobs taking a few noted nods, special mention to some rogue choices; lemon puffs, coconut macaroons, custard creams and cheddar puffs. You lot are mental.

It was rather blimmin' freezing, nothing a a two mile jog couldn't mend. Basia greeted us, then looked confused and content when I said they were more coming, twice. We picked up the equipment to sand and paint, including a wrong coloured pot of paint, then headed to do our thing. I asked Basia how long it took to drain the docks, she said "ages, because it was really wet", hard to argue with that...

We set about the railings, sanding in long smooth motions, then painting them a nice shiny viscous black. Rosa, taped up the pergola with the precision of an artist commissioned to paint a cantankerous royal. All about them details. Speaking of which, in the other group, they managed to paint the rails another shade of black, called brown, but to be fair, Basia took the blame immediately, like a true leader should. She didn't deny it for months, then say it wasn't the wrong paint under national colour laws at the time, which everyone else understood and abided to, then create new government policy to deflect....wait sorry, what are we talking about again?

Everyone was absorbing the cold air too much for comfort, so we began running back quickly without instruction. Stopping off for a couple of exercises, broad jumps to develop power and landing mechanics. Then mountain climbers, to get the heart rate up a bit.

Next week we go to local community garden, Get Out, sign up here. Hope to see you all there for a range of jobs - to help the awesome permaculture space.

B

Newham's second Group Run of the year yesterday, welcoming some great new personalities, enjoying a boost in numbers - and our ability to do more as a result. Jensen made his debut, in spite of a groin injury, lovely to have you along mate, hope that leg clears up asap. Becky and Jess, who usually frequent TH, but made their way over the border, fab to meet you both. Ceiling, who's been before, but not for a while, blessed us with her presence. Finally, new Newham resident, George, and GG long-timer - welcome to the east-side pal. Hoping to see you all comeback every single week forever, and ever. No but seriously, catch you next week.

Squat warm up and high-knees got the HR up and the chat flowing. Then our RWQ, perhaps not the most inventive, but it's always good to hear the answers regardless - "what was the highlight of your weekend?" Running a 10k in Vicky Park, seeing your aunt and uncle after too long, eyeing up the controversial Marble Arch Mound, striding out a muddy 5k then getting a roast in, completing a hardcore GG mission in the hammering cold rain, a spot of meditative gardening, post-baptism party, doing absolutely nothing and lastly getting a rainy run in. A solid range of activity, culture and relaxation.

Circa three kilometres later and we had arrived at the Crisis warehouse. Few jobs on the cards, we got masked-up and threw on some high-vises. Then broke into three groups. Group one went about loading a large transit van with bags of clothes donations. Group two sorted and counted a selection of computer accessories. Group three went about rearranging the upstairs room. I can confidently say they all got the job done, superb to see how much more we can do with a few extra sets of hands, van filled to the brim, computer accessories all sorted and upstairs room completely reassembled. Bra-blimmin'-Vo.

Managed to sneak in a touch of strength exercise on the way back, enough to consider form on highly useful moves to better running, probably not enough to give a sizeable training effect - but we'll keep working on these key movements, we'll have more time in coming weeks to do some extra. Hopefully you can gain confidence and do them solo, that's the end goal.

Next week is round #2 at Crisis. Our last one for the foreseeable future, so sign up here - and let's get stuck in again.

Have hootin' good weekend, because we might ask about it at the next session...

Till then

B