After numerous and numerous phone calls and e-mails, no charity wanted our help this week (boo hoo!). Apparently it's the wrong time of year for most gardening jobs, too cold and damp for outdoor paint to dry, or we're just too organised and we need to wait until after the first residents association meetings of the year before it can be agreed what jobs need to be done!

Not to worry, instead we turned our attention to our own health and well-being and got ourselves back into the swing of running post Christmas. Given the numerous bugs and coughs that have been flying around over the festive period, for many it was their first run back. It may have been cold, but thankfully it was a lovely dry evening (hurrah!). The 7km option was the preferred one, so 10 of us set off on a lovely run along the north side of the Thames. The Thames Path was a lovely break from the usual busy roads....though I did hear the odd "I miss the traffic light breathers..."!!! We picked our way through a couple of very short sections of dark, but generally speaking the North side is well lit between Hammersmith and Barnes Bridge. A quick sprint over the bridge (literally!) and some stair jumps on the far side, and we headed back to the Broadway.

On the way back to base we stopped off for a circuits session under the flyover and we also did a focused session on how to activate and build strength in the glutes and legs to minimise injury risk - something we all need to make time for especially in this colder weather.

Arriving back at base Jason revealed his rather yummy Japanese Cheesecake and we happily refueled on that! We could definitely get used to post run cake :)

A big hello to first-timer Sam! And a big high-five to everyone for whom that was your first run back after Christmas - the first one is always the toughest - next week's run will be much easier :)

Anna