Dark is the night: Tom and I got to the Greenleaf at the same time only for me to realise I forgot the pin for the door and the lights were off in the building. Not sure if we should read anything into it or not...:) Whilst we were waiting for Claire we put the world to right, no topic was left unturned really - the current affairs certainly keep us all on edge these days!;)

Warm Up and Drills: after a dynamic workout to kick off the evening, tonight we focused on running form by doing some drills in the Lloyd Park. It was such a lovely mild evening and we had the gardens in front of the mansion all to ourselves so we did multiple loops of exercises, sprints and light jogs adjusting for different abilities and energy levels:) Great way to work up some energy whether you're a runner or not!

Toying with toys: We made our way to the Toy Library and we had a great task to attack - both in size and fun! We needed to wash all the mats and toys and it looks like a huge task but we got to it straight away and with the conversation flowing and team work we got it all done in no time. Time really does fly when you're having fun:) We waited for Helen from the library to lock up so that we all left the building together.

Cool down and stretch down: Tom made his way back home from the session starting up the hill from the library whilst Claire and I jogged back to the base to collect our bikes. Well done to Claire progressing with her cycling and commuting - fantastic to see!!! We did have a giggle about a certain helmet situation but you really needed to be there to be in on the joke:)

Outro: A lovely session and looking forward to being back next week and also being back at the Toy Library in a month. Well done Tom and Claire for showing up and being such good sports! You can sign up for next week HERE.

Blustery wild winds swirled through East London, I arrived by underground, as the overground was presumably on strike with many other national rail services. An unusually buzzing Jim & Tonic was hosting a resident's evening, a DJ pumped some punchy bass and there was a barely a bare seat to be seen.

Greeted by some returning faces and new ones; Matt and Tom partook in the their first Newham Session, I believe the former in his first GoodGym session. Bloody good to have you both along and hope you're inaugural experience was decent! Siobhan returned from a fractured elbow, bolstering our platoon with morale and numbers.

Xuan welcomed us at a dark Abbey Gardens, directing us over to a compost heap, where we were to sieve compost. Then take the larger organic matter and place it into a dead hedge. Small obstacle was the marauding swarm of wasps, occupying one of the heaps, the risk assessment consensus was "let's do something else".

So we left Hils and Siobhan to fend for themselves, sieving calmly next to the slim-waisted bee cousin. Everyone else was on weeding duty, yoinking out woody rocket and untangling determined bindweed. Reckon we definitely need head torches next week on full beam, I include myself in this reminder. Xuan asked if we could help with the cafe relocation and building work in the upcoming months, I think that's a great task for our energetic clan, but we're going to need to light that place up a bit with our illuminating head-tech.

Before I log off, a cap or two should be doffed to Hils, Rosa and Graham. Fantastic endeavours on the weekend to cover 26.2miles. I know I'm like a broken record but.... I remember when you guys first joined GoodGym Newham, and how much you've progressed as runners since, running with a community can be transformative, but you still have to set the alarm clock, lace up if it's wet or baltic - and put in the miles. Respect to you all, proud of you guys.

Next week we're going to Cody Dock, sign up here

Till then,

B

Lambeth brought it's A-game tonight with not one but TWO tasks completed.

We first up congratulated looooads people on fantastic Januarys, smashing the GG milestones. Massive shoutout to Nicky for picking this run as her two hundredth good deed.

And topping the GG Lambeth heroes wall for January and rightfully receiving this month's SPOTM, the untouchable Francis Collier-Wright. Some A-grade hand cream, biscuits, sports bar and even a champions plaque, which I'm sure will go atop her mantlepiece.

We also welcomed some new runners to the gang. Tom, Jamie and Martin, you are so welcome!

We then had a super quick warm up, split into two groups and got going.

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Nicky lead most of the group, truly earning that 200th deed. Here's what she had to say:

A brilliant team of GoodGymmers headed up the hill to a brand new task at the Yellow Qube. We met Mel and had a brief interlude in the warmth whilst she told us about this brilliant community space and what they needed us to do tonight. Our task was to clear up the space below the walkway. Our first hurdle was a literal one - jumping the fence. Everyone managed this with aplomb and displayed a variety of styles/techniques and different degrees of gracefulness. Once over the fence, we got to work clearing up rubbish and pesky ivy. Mel was very happy and after a quick group snap, we headed back down the hill for some stretching at base camp (aka Papa's).

POW

The rest of us hung around at Papa's to do a bunch of jobs around the cafe. First up, we needed some warming up. Obviously a game of tag was just what the doctor ordered. Then we got cracking:

🎨Painting a wall white, to brighten it up, after spending about 10 minutes trying to open up the paint...

🔩Removing the weird notice boards - hunting down the screws and trying not to pull down the fence...

🌱Pulling up the weeds/knowing which ones are the weeds...

We threw in a few some chilled circuits to warm up halfway through and were even treated to hot chocolate and marshmellows from Valcie from PAPA's cafe.

YUM 👅

Nice one everyone! Next week we're back at Jubilee Primary School - sign up here!