Life on the dark side

Meeting at our alternative meeting point at Worthing Leisure Centre, it was our first completely dark task after the clocks went back on Saturday. Despite this, the turn was fantastic with Duncan, Barbara, Sue, Daisy, Natasha and Steve, Paul, John and Belinda, Ros, Nick and Graham and Gill turning out on this cold late October spooky night.

Come as you aren't

Shout out to Belinda for halloween outfit and John for his head attire showing that they read last weeks run report right to the last paragraph when I mentioned that dressing up was encouraged.

Lift your spirits

This happens every Monday and not just at Halloween! Its always a joy to hear all the happy banter before, during and after the task. Tonight was no exception with lots of chatter . The walking team set off a little in advance of the runners to The Rowans, our task venue for the evening,

With the front runners taking a Duncan detour it meant that the back group ended up ahead of the front group :) However I'm was just grateful that no one got lost! We all arrived within minutes of each other where we had a cheerful and smiley welcome from Debbie, assistant manager and all together lovely person, who always stays to keep the centre open both for the task and our fitness session tonight.

Creeping it real

Debbie outlined all the tasks and all the team spread out in all different directions. Natasha immediately headed for some dismantling of various bits of equipment. Gill and Graham set about the furniture moving followed by some sprucing up of the training kitchen. Nick, Paul and Belinda opted for the painting task, Duncan and John headed out into the garden to pick up a glut of apples. Barbara, Ros, Daisy, Sue and Steve got on their gardening gloves to do some pruning and weeding in the pretty courtyard garden. 40 short minutes later and it was time to down tools. No time to reflect on the multiple tasks we had just achieved, it was time for some fitness training.

Frankly I don't think I'm that scary !

Loosely based on the cross fit/ HIIT principles I wanted to introduce the team to the idea of intense bursts of exercise over a really short period of time followed by a short recovery.

With this in mind the team partnered up for 8 rounds of alternate 20 seconds of exercises followed by 20 seconds rest. Exercises comprised of squats, squat jumps, mountain climbers. lunges, pres ups,, burpees, press up jacks and star jumps. Winter training has arrived and not a pike in sight!

Ooh la la

The team fell back into their groups with John breaking rank from the walking group to join the runners after being enticed by the gorgeous Natasha . Was it her looks,accent, personality or persuasive powers that put the smile back on John's face and the energy back in his legs? Answers on the whats app thread please!

I would like to call it careful planning that all 3 groups arrived back within minutes of each other. What a delight it was to see the aforementioned pair doing an extra lap (of honour ) around the track. With stretches, goodbyes together with I can't make next week/ see you next week promises the group dispersed in all directions. Some went home for beer whilst others went home to think of puns and write run reports!

In other news

• The Tide of Light Dark Run is this Saturday. GG are marshalling. Meet at the parkrun finish at 5pm. DM me if you would like to be involved.
• The November burpee challenge launches on this Thursday 1st November. 30 days of commitment to get leaner, healthier and fitter for running. Commit to 100 a day every day for 30 days or work up gradually with 25 per day, 50 week 2, 75 week 3 and 100 week 4. I started mine 2 weeks ago together with a dry spell month too and can thoroughly recommend it.

Have a great week everyone !

Julia :) xx