29 GoodGymers ran 5km, learnt some running fundamentals and helped garden at Cecil Sharp House

In the news this week we talked about how we are taking part in Regents Park 10km on Sunday 7th August, I've heard Jess is thinking of a post-race picnic!

Our key 'Running Fundamental' of the night to focus on was posture, this is incredibly important when you are running on flat roads, uphill, on woodland trails and really everywhere in life! Having a straight back helps you run more efficiently and engage your core more, this is especially important when you are tired.

The task this week was at Cecil Sharp House, the home of English folk music, to help keep the garden areas clear and tidy.

Task Report written by Steve Lee:

Once everybody arrived at Cecil Sharp House, the tasks were announced and distributed with the faint sounds of violin and singing practice flowing from the building. Lovely!

While half the group headed for some running technique drills up and down Primrose Hill for half the session with Paul, the rest got to task, switching when the Primrose Hillers returned primrosy-cheeked and, er, hillier.

Primrosy-cheeked

The lawn needed raking and clearing, and the neat flowerbeds needed to have leaves plucked out of them, while another task group got to wield brooms and some quite exciting wiry-brushy-grouty-stick-things to clear the paths with.

wiry-brushy-grouty-stick-things

The gardens were left looking immaculate, which makes all the difference as it's wedding season; when this lovely institution can rely on some extra income by hosting nuptials to keep it ticking over.

Hill Training Fundamental Details:

Last night we learnt how to run up and down hill, most of us know how to swim, read, write, walk and a host of other functions because we were taught BUT most of us were never taught how to run properly and efficiently.

Running Up Hill - straight back (posture), lifting your legs higher (knees) and socket to pocket (arms)

Running Down Hill - leaning forward (posture), landing on the front of your feet (feet landing) and having your arms out to the side to balance.

Everyone did fantastic learning each of these fundamentals and combining them all to race up Primrose Hill!

Well done everyone, what a lovely evening with you all.

Next week we'll be heading to Terrence Higgins Trust to pack 2000 condoms for their summer outreach events, sign up here.

PB out.

A crew of 12 ran an amazing 7.5km in 40 minutes up to Surrey Docks Farm to help sort out some overgrown flowerbeds.

Creative license over distance was unintentional but panned out well as everyone absolutely nailed it!

The last few weeks have been all about weeding and people being able to finally plant things that won't get frosted to death. This week was no different. Aside from all of the animals, the epic run and the delicious sunshine. And did I mention the babycham bucket?

Our group assembled and welcomed Amy along for the first time. Gorgeous sunshine in Peckham meant that we were bobbing and weaving our way up Rye Lane a little but made it clear in no time. As Beth mentioned, it felt like a mini tour of some other tasks at Peckham Platform and Galleywall Nature Reserve but onwards we went. All the way passed Surrey Quays Station and towards proper docklands areas.

We were welcomed to Surrey Docks Farm by Gemma who promptly got us water as it was such a warm and lovely night. She showed us some of the animals there, a calf who was born in October, pregnant Esther the pig and some very, very cute lambs. After we'd gotten over the sight, we set to work clearing some overgrown flowerbeds that are to be raised and used for community allotments. This is as well as making the unused areas less of a buggy runway and more engaging and nice to look at.

The farm is used as a learning experience for children and to engage the local community. It's a welcome sight in the shadows of Canary Wharf and the hustle of the city.

We cleared mint, potatoes and lots of nettles as well as some hefty rocks and made progress, as ever, in no time. Well before we wanted it to be, time was up and we got a quick feed in with the pigs and the calf.

Sun setting, it was time to race down Rotherhide New Road for some to run the full distance and others, taking a leaf out of GoodGym Westminster, to catch the overground back to Peckham.

Luckily, we made it back at not too dissimilar times ready to stretch off and discuss food.

For the second ever GoodGym Southwark social, we were meant to be off to Forzawin but due to our massive and wonderful group, we ended up on a table hunt and found just the thing at John the Unicorn. Beth and Michael celebrated by being the first people to ever order the Babycham bucket. Despite the suggestion, I'm not sure babycham will become a 'thing' for us to have everytime but it's always good to have a throw back. Menu aside: Salted shortbread is not the one

Well done runners. That was a lovely evening well spent and excellent effort on the distance covered.