A wonderful turnout of 40 for GoodGym Lambeth's second birthday tonight, which was bloody awesome. Especially given the drop in temperature.

With a new year focus on getting faster, fitter or going longer, there was a choice of two runs.

Half the group took on the long run down to Portico lead by James and Jo, covering 5 miles in total... With a lovely hill plonked in the middle. Lovely Jo has given a wonderful report. (remember she’ll be leading the new Southwark runs on a Wednesday so go give her your support)

“After doffing our cap to the Bowie tributes, the long run crew hit Tulse hill like it was a walk in the proverbial. A lovely 2.7 mile run to meet John from Portico Gallery got rid of some marathon fear demons lurking about and gave a chance to prepare for the imminent birthday cake. The task today was back to the big store to get the covers off the gazebos to prevent mildew. Despite the eerie, horror movie Esque setting, we cleared a load in record time and filled John's car with the finesse of Kim and Aggy. All bodies and limbs accounted for, it was a downward sprint to make sure the circuits lot had saved us some cake. Special shout out to James who got stopped and quizzed about GG but still made it back with the rest of us”.

The other half chose the shorter run to Clapham Common to do some speed work and circuits. Running up Clapham high street required agility from all the people traffic but once at the common we were treated to a fairly open playground (of all the fitness groups on the common last night we were definitely the fastest, strongest...and hottest. Two 600m reps were completed with sheer guts on such a cold, dark, windy, bleak night… and they were followed by some leg strength circuits... Phew. Luckily the run back was downhill.

Then it was time to celebrate our second birthday thanks to the magnificent cakes from Beth Jay… which were as always a fecking triumph. ... And then a few in they pub.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOODGYM LAMBETH!!!!!