We were in for a treat tonight on our group run to the Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness Centre running track after a quick warm up with a couple of sprinting poses and stretches on the lawn outside the Guildhall we were ready to jog to the racing track for our task.

Our running pace must’ve improved because we managed to arrive with time to spare and were lucky to be given the use of the running track where we initially assembled to dissect the running stride with the intention to be more aware of good running form, particularly for faster paced efforts. Mark introduced us to a number of drills , explaining not to try and change everything at once , but although cautioned against it, I couldn’t help channelling Phoebe from friends in her running method. We kept focused on our high knees with core engaged, feet landing correctly and arms in the right position. All these steps were put into practice as we moved further down the track to try some runs – 60% of our fastest pace, then 80% and then into our full-out sprints. We ended with a run around the whole track and a sprint for the final 250m.

We thought we knew what we were doing at the time...but on reflection, WHAT'S GOING ON! #runningtrack #runningdrills #kingsmeadow #goodgym #kingston pic.twitter.com/c2HgAtpjYQ

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) August 28, 2018

And the crowd go wild!!! #running #track #somuchfun #barunfitness #goodgym pic.twitter.com/f5p6GHko8X

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) August 28, 2018

Once our running drills were completed we were ready to move on to our task of clearing litter from the surrounding area. We managed to stay on track - litter-ally! Equipped with bags, gloves and pincer sticks for collecting the litter, we broke off into groups to gather what we could. Litter did we know there wasn’t too much to be collected. We thought it was all slim-pickings for us until some of us went a little off-piste, disappeared momentarily and surfaced again dragging the skeletal remains of a gazebo and a chair! Our run back was a quick one and we were welcomed back to our base with some refreshing coconut water kindly donated to us (thank you to Chi) It was a very educational group run this evening and we all made it back in run piece! While we were all smiling on the return, Mark recommended more stretching and some stretching walks tomorrow when our muscles are complaining from the sprints! When all was said and run we had learned a lot about our running technique and completed a good deed too! Great work team GG Kingston!

Well done Angelika on your first run with us!

In news tonight we’d like to highlight a few upcoming community missions happening in Kingston. We are going to hit the ground running for a great start to September community missions.

This Saturday 1st September, we are meeting at the Berrylands Scout Hut to help lend a hand to the Environment Trust that are holding a conservation day at Berrylands Nature Reserve. See details here to sign up

This Sunday 2nd September we are helping to set up, pick up litter and organising the procession at the Kingston Carnival. Further details and sign up here

There will be more coming soon! Speak to taskforce members for more details.