Blue Runday

46 Goodgymers helped their local community in Wandsworth
Alexander Kenmure
Sara
Jessie Woodward
Peter Freeman
Anastasia Hancock
Ruth
Matthew Stuart
Sophie Humphrey
Jordan
Frances Collier-Wright
Chi Nwa
Beth Nelson
Vicky
Tom Jackson
Pippa Nutkins
Pete White
Alice Pickles
Oliver Cannon
David Simpson
Sam Lefevre
Callum Stubbs
JuliavC
Caroline Halls
Georgie Worsfold
Å ana
Kimberley Smith
Bruno
Diego
Alice Wigley
Mia Gomez
Isla Black
Becca Goldsworthy
Nelson Holtz
Alex Hadley
Calanna
Helena Clay
Alexa Bailey
Emily
Harriet
Becky Dobson
Rachel Young
Peter Freeman
Jessica Evans
1 / 41
Wandsworth

Monday 20th January 2020

Credits
Anastasia Hancock
Anastasia Hancock

SESSION ORGANISER

DOCUMENT CHECKER

REPORT WRITER

Chi Nwa
Chi Nwa

PHOTOGRAPHER

Hounslow runner

BACK MARKER

Oliver Cannon
Oliver Cannon

PHOTOGRAPHER

Find out about GoodGym TaskForce

Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)

Share the love

Yesterday was Blue Monday - apparently the most depressing day of the year. In Wandsworth last night there was zero evidence of that, with 46 happy GoodGymers running 6km to lend a hand at a children's adventure playground. We even started off the night discussing what cheers us up when we're feeling down; food definitely came out on top along with running (of course), dogs, cat videos, rum and sunshine. If last night is anything to go by, we can most definitely add GoodGym to that list!

With the BAC being shut for the night we were lucky enough to be given a temporary home by the lovely people at Share Community, a brilliant charity that supports local disabled people. Thanks Share!

It was really lovely to see new faces, familiar faces, runners from different areas, from central office and even from Wandsworth council. Everybody is welcome at GoodGym, and always will be. A special welcome to Sara, Alex, Alexa, Becky, Rachel and Jessica who all came for their first group run last night. Give them a cheer, GoodGym!

We started off with a run through of the news - here's a recap:

  • The January challenge is in full swing. In Wandsworth we racked up 129 good deeds and run a total of 1,176 kms which is pretty great. There's still a way to go though, so get yourself to as many group runs and missions as possible and don't forget to strava the heck out of every run!

  • Looking for a community mission? Then check out this brilliant one next Tuesday lunchtime. The job is shifting furniture for a LGBTQ+ charity which supports young people locally, so not only will you get a great upper body workout but you'll be helping out an important organisation too. What's not to love?

  • Like burgers? Feeling social? Want to catch up with other GoodGymers while not trying to trip up on the pavement or elbow deep in mud? Then our monthly port-run social is for you. Every first Monday of the month, just round the corner from our starting place at the Four Thieves. And it's even two for one on the burgers!What more could you ask for? Sign up here to join us at the next one.

After a rather squished warm up, we set off for our task at Oasis adventure playground. This wonderful place is a local charity that has fun facilities and learning opportunities for disabled and non-disabled young people enabling them to lead happy, fulfilled lives and play positive roles in the community.

We arrived to find David, who manages the place, waiting for us with tools and a pretty inspiring welcome. We were only there for 40 minutes, but he reminded us in that time that we would be playing an active role in improving the lives of young people. With that feel good factor, we got straight to work shifting old pallets from an area that needed to be dug over. We got a nice little chain gang going, before the real hard work began digging over the area, as well as creating a firepit. Which sounds about the most excellent and dangerous thing to introduce in to a children's playground.

Meanwhile, some of the group were treated to an extra conditioning session (lucky!), before getting on with weeding the enormous area - as well as testing out the facilities (which GoodGym trainer was spotted having fun on the trampoline cough, Beth?).

After just over half an hour of hard graft, we downed tools and headed over to the neighbouring park for a very short fitness blast. We warmed up with a game of clusters. While I wouldn't like to fling around any wild accusations of cheating, there was definitely some interesting counting going on! We then knocked out a little conditioning versus high intensity drills, with Chi encouraging everybody to work harder as we squatted, lunged, balanced and high kneed.

All that was left was to run the three kms back to base, and stretch out those tired muscles. Well done on working hard for a brilliant charity, getting a good run under your belt in the process, and giving blue Monday a smack about the chops. Next week we're off to clear leaves in a community garden, you can find out all about it right here. Hope to see you, until then, run happy!



Discuss this report
Join us on our next session

Wandsworth

Help out at junior parkrun in Battersea Park!
🗓Today 8:30am

Support young people getting active

SimonaDylan BurnsNiklas Ondruch
3 GoodGymers are going