13 weeded and chopped at Old Paradise Yard, 3 cleaned and sorted and 5 burnt the tarmac

This week, 3 runs headed out spanning the borough from top to bottom (literally!!). 3 keen members with CRB checks headed off to West Norwood to clean an older persons sheltered flat, 13 legged it to Lambeth Bridge to do some heavy landscaping and 5 did a tempo run and put the world to rights on injuries, stretching and general running maintenance

With a somewhat depleted group caused by chilly conditions and some important football match happening elsewhere, an intimate gang of 13 headed North for the river this Tuesday evening. The run was a big one - GoodGym Lambeth's longest yet - 4.5km just to get out to our task. The team took it steady, stuck together and with the help of some much appreciated team navigation arrived at our location. Or so we thought. A multitude of metal gates confused and bewildered us. With no sign of our contact, Alfie, the tension began to mount. As we stumbled nervously down a seemingly endless pitch black alleyway, it was beginning to look very much like the opening scene of a low budget horror film. Thankfully a couple of brave explorers discovered our site for the evening and ushered us safely inside - Old Paradise Yard. Our man Alfie quickly directed us towards a selection of tools and told us the whole area was to be landscaped soon. Before that could happen a lot of grunt work needed to be done, namely the removal of weeds, leaves, bricks and that old GoodGym favourite, brambles. We set to work without further ado! Leaves were the first order of business, swiftly followed by the chopping and yanking out of some rather nasty prickly weeds. There were pride-filled competitions to see who could unearth and remove the biggest block of masonry, and much gusto-fuelled shovel/broom/pickaxe swinging. Alas, with a small group and not much time (owing to the longer run), the task proved too much for us. As time ticked steadily away, it began to feel a little personal and there were many a mutinous groan of disappointment when we had to pack up and leave, mounds of rubble and mess still left untouched. Alfie was, however, super chuffed with what we'd done, and even more chuffed when he heard we would be keen to return and finish the job off. Fingers crossed we'll be able to head back and finish what we started. The run back was a much swifter affair than the run out. People pointed themselves in the direction of Brixton markets and unleashed the remainder of their energies, breaking several land-speed records in the process I wager. Many thanks to all those involved, and special thanks to Diane for organising this rabble into a coherent and useful group of humans.

Dave Jones

Wayward in Norwood

Three intrepid runners, Rebecca, Lucy and Lauren, set out on a mission to the lovely Gwen and Joseph for a spot of cleaning. Diane armed us with the map and we were off in the blink of a head-torch! Chatting away about our respective coaches, we made our first error, heading straight up the calf-tightening Tulse Hill rather than along the serene flattitude of Dulwich road. My (Lauren’s) dreadful orienteering skills then took us on a delightful little detour back towards Brixton until the wonderful Rebecca set us back on the straight and narrow up towards Norwood. Rebecca was now in possession of the map. At the gateway to West Norwood we passed the Edible Bus-stop and basked in the glory of the fruits of Goodgym’s January labour, spying a plethora of daffodils. Inspired, Lucy then took over on orientation and it wasn’t long before we were greeted by Gwen and her brother, Joseph, whose flat needed a little spring clean. With buckets, mops and scourers summoned, we were ready. Rebecca immediately got stuck in, mopping the floor into a dazzling sparkle, while Lucy and I scrubbed cupboard doors and tiles to get them whiter than white. It was immensely satisfying, and I think it really made a difference to our host’s home. We would have loved to stay, but the clock was ticking and city pantry was calling. Gwen, somewhat bemused by our original route, was determined to set us on the right path, and walked us out. On the way back we smashed the run, taking the quickest route, and had some profound conversations along the way to boot. We were only 10 minutes late; not bad for an 11K run and some rigorous cleaning. Brilliant stuff ladies.

Lauren Couch