On a gorgeous golden evening, twelve pacey Peckhamites pushed through Rye Lane to get to the Surrey Docks Farm, for some sh*t shovelling, apple picking, leaf lopping, pig feeding fun. A total of almost 12km were run (yes, 12!) and we all left happy, safe in the knowledge that no animals were harmed in the making of this run report.

A very big thank you to Beth, for tonight's Old MacGoodGymtastic pun

As regular Southwark trainer Jo was away this evening, I popped over from Lewisham to have some fun with some stalwart regulars and some eager first-timers - hello and hi-five to all of you ( I won't name names here because I kind of lost track of who was new and who wasn't, sorry!). Thank you to Beth, who was the key-holder tonight and let us all in, so we could enjoy the smell of coffee and leave our belongings safely during our run. Once we had all assembled, it was time to run through a few introductions, go through the evening ahead and chat about coach running and missions (and maybe mention a little relay race this weekend, that is set to rival the Olympic Games themselves!).

Before long, we were ready to warm ourselves up before what would be a pretty long run. Some name-checking (and double-checking, using not a ball, but a 'thingie', fashioned out of a handy buff, GoodGym trainers are resourceful folk you know). We checked our form with a few drills (walking high-knees, fast high-knees and so on, you know the kind of thing, made to give you super strong cores, light landing and that all important powerful sprint finish).

Lead the way!

As this is not my usual area, but I do sometimes dip in and out of here on my bike or long runs, I am sort of familiar with the area, to a point. Thankfully I had Michael to reinforce my belief in my carefully learned directions and we took the lead together towards Surrey Docks Farm. Well, I say 'together', he is FAST! 'Come back!' I shouted, 'Slow down!', 'Steady!'. With Beth kindly offering to back-mark, we knew that nobody would be left behind, but made sure we regrouped every so often and kept a regular head-count going to ensure nobody ended up going the wrong way down the Old Kent Road, urgh!

You know you're approaching the farm because you can smell it before you see it. I say this in the nicest possible way: after last night's rain and due to the pruning and weeding that was going on, the air was fresh and country-like, right here, in the heart of our city. We were greeted by Gemma, who had already set out our tools, wheelbarrows and various containers. She quickly directed people to tasks: lopping back the stray branches overhanging the fence to the orchard, crouching down amongst the trees, picking up fallen apples, some of which would be used to make chutney (mmmm) and some would be fed to the pigs (more of that later). Alongside the orchard was a pile of sacks...containing well-rotted manure, sh*it basically. This didn't deter an intrepid few, who got stuck straight in, re-bagging, tying and relocating the sacks, using a combination of wheelbarrows and sheer might.

So little time!

Sadly, as our run was quite a long one, we had a quite short amount of time at the task; we would love to have stayed longer, but had to get back. Some last minute shifting, shovelling and grabbing was done. This anxious trainer did the rounds, counting down, promising an opportunity to meet the piglets and reminding the volunteers that we still had to get back to our start point. Combining a number of final activities, we wheeled greenery to the compost heap and carried crates of less-than-perfect apples to the pig pens. The pigs!

Last time GGSouthwark visited, Esther, the sow, was about to give birth. Since then she has had fourteen piglets! After we had admired the rasta sheep, given a nod to the donkeys and stroked the resident cat, we got busy chucking the apples at the pigs (this is allowed, they love it). Out they wandered, one by beautiful one. Tiny ones, pink ones, spotty ones, bigger ones and proud mum Esther, popping out to see what the commotion was about, giving a tired snort whilst snuffling a few apples to herself. What a wonderful treat to finish off a rewarding task.

It was such a shame to hurry people along, but we definitely did have to get going. I really hope people go along one weekend and spend some time enjoying the farm, there's so much to see (a personal favourite is the snoring goat...and the cafe, obviously).

Ee-ay-ee-ay-oh!

At this point there was the option to catch the train back or make it an 11k run. All but one ran both there and back (one challenged knee taking the overground option). A couple of people peeled off en route, heading homewards, but the rest of us kept up what was a pretty speedy pace, this time choosing a more scenic route along the old canal path, over the busy and polluted main roads. All sorts of chatter could be heard on this leg, sculpture, ultra running, half-marathon aspirations, but our conversation was suddenly interrupted by one of our party legging it after the ice cream van, which pulled over. Seriously, if this was nearer our start point we would all have been up there, stocking up on 99s and bubblegum ice lollies! (Whams, do they still sell Wham Bars? we wondered...).

We continued our run, ice cream fantasies pushed to the back of our minds, dodging in between the pedestrians on the still busy main stretch of Peckam, to our start point and a whole load of stretching. Thank you Southwark for having me, it was a real pleasure running with you!

Adele x

In the absence of both Jo and a task we made do and ran to Peckham Rye for running, circuits and a game of tag.

With our task having been cancelled at the last minute we may not have had any good to do last night but we did talk about all the ways to get involved in GoodGym like coach runs, upcoming missions, races and monthly drinks.

Fully informed we set off on a 1K jog across Peckham Rye to do a speed/sprint session. I found out in the introduction that it doesn't matter how you describe it, people will not think it sounds like something they want to do. The session in question was some 100m repeats which are designed to improve running technique and efficiency at pace. The aim was to run 100m at 75% of maximum effort, turn and jog back slowly three times. After that there were three reps at 90% effort with a walk back between each one followed by three more reps at 75%. As I watched them walk back it became clear that this session also gives you a great chance to show off your best Reservoir Dogs impression.

With most of the running out of the way we moved onto the circuit section: triceps dips, lunges and our favourite move from Jo's circuits last week the 'stop, don't shoot' (not it's official name). The group was undecided about whether Lianne's double jump made it any easier but it was entertaining to watch them debate it out! Then came a 3x100m relay in which Team Love Hearts beat Team Parma Violets. Closely followed by the fun section, a game of duck, duck, goose. Having watched an explanatory video earlier in the day I was fully prepared to give a lengthy explanation of how it works but thankfully, with it still being fresh in the memory for some, that wasn't required. After a few minutes we realised that standing up quickly is harder than you think but there's still something fun about a game of tag with your mates in the park, no matter how old you are. Our timing on the way back to Old Spike was impeccable, we managed to get in for a stretch and slice of banana bread just before the heavens opened.

11 runners, 3km, some killer weeding and huge tree planting.

We welcomed Matt for his first time ever at a GoodGym tonight and Jess and Chris from GoodGym Camden were on a tour to see what we get up to south of the river.

After a quick intro, warm up and a short but sweaty run, we arrived at Cossall Park Community Garden. We were a bit early so used the time wisely...

Stuck in the mud

Who knew how much effort a bit of short sprinting would take?! It kept us warm and ready for some proper gardening action. We split off into 3 groups.

Group one were in a resident's garden clearing it of weeds and turning the soil ready for lots of new planting. We could have stayed all night so watch this space for a mission heading that way.

Group two were working on the main flower and vegetable beds, clearing out weeds and brambles and generally making sure the lettuce, courgettes and cauliflower have enough room to flourish. Last time we were here we cleared the bed completely so it was brilliant to see how many veggies have grown and that are on offer for the residents.

Group three helped a slightly weightier project. An elm and a horse chestnut tree were delivered and carried into the adjacent Kirkwood Nature Reserve to be planted. But first, more clearing of nettles and stones before the final resting place was set. I hear you ask

'How many GoodGymmers does it take to plant a tree?'

The answer is not so clear. But I'd argue at least 2 to dig and plant and another 3 to advise and monitor.

Once we'd all rounded up and had our squash and malted milks, there was time for 1 sports day race.... the timeless wheelbarrow race

We were heckled by the local kids playing footy who couldn't quite believe that adults do this sort of thing and set off. Competitive natures and epic core and shoulder strength came out in full force. Big congrats to our gold medal winners, Michael and Becky.

Warm, tired and a little bit stung, we set off back to Old Spike Roastery with a pink sky for company.

A lovely evening and a(many) job(s) well done.

14 runners crossing a borough (again) to clear hedges & weeds at Surrey Docks Farm.

Finally, the rain cleared and the mugginess came back for us to run across into the shadow of Canary Wharf to the lovely farm. After bobbing and weaving down Rye Lane and waiting for a lot of green men, we eventually, and rather sweatily, made it to meet Gemma. She had already gotten to work with a chain saw on the hedge along the Thames Path and we were to clear it.

Lots of glove matching and hoeing later and we were filling wheelbarrows with green stuff. Zoe took the challenge of jumping on the compost heap to crush it down.

Trampoline time!

After almost no time, we had to pack away. Luckily, we got to walk passed all of the animals we'd seen last time. The tallest goats in the world were hiding. too much height pressure the beautiful calf was looking much more grown up. Esther, the pregnant sow was due to give birth on Monday. We watched with baited breath for her to...

go to the toilet...

No piglets tonight but it was still lovely to see all of the animals and work somewhere so amazing in the shadow of the concrete jungle.

A few press ups, tricep dips and wall sits later and we were back at Old Spike.

A decent crew of us made our way over to The Rye pub for some food and much needed fluids.

Lovely stuff GoodGym Southwark. Until next week.