Wall of Honour

• Thanks to Helena for back marking and keeping the group together!
• Big Shout to Mike, Will and Andrzej for completing their first run with us!
• Pat on the back to Ineke for completing her longest run in 5 years this week!
  

Lets have a Recap

Last night 18 runners ran 10km in total to Surrey Docks Farm in Rotherhithe. As it was a longer route than usual, we had a quick warm up and head count and set off swiftly towards the farm. With a nice view of Canary Wharf on route we followed the cycle path and along the water to Surrey Docks Marina, making our way through a slight maze in a housing estate!

When we arrived we were greeted with a refreshing drink of water by Gemma the farm Manager, and joined by Ben and Caroline who had made their own way there. With only 20 minutes available we were set to task with brooms, shovels and gloves to sweep down the sheep pen and cattle area. Following Gemma's instructions we split into 3 teams and swiftly cleared the entire area loading up a wheelbarrow of muck, which will be greatly appreciated by the lone volunteers returning to the farm today!

After our successful work we were treated to a tour of the farm, and given the opportunity to make acquaintance with the resident animals. The sheep were particularly interested in what we were doing in their pen.

Highlight of the night the 7 day old spotted piglets asleep like dalmatian puppies!

Sadly we had to say goodbye until next time! After washing our hands and arranging our return routes we ran to Surrey Quays station where a few people departed, and made our way back to Peckham completing our 10km effort for the evening, with encouraging shouts of 'Knees Up' along the way!

FACT OF THE DAY A pigs gestation period lasts for 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days! - Thanks Gemma

Next week we will venturing 7km in total over to Edible Rotherhithe to see their community garden run by Surrey Square Primary School helping complete their summer long polytunnel project! Sign up here

See you next week Team. Chin up!

21 runners ran 3 or 6km to paint Southwark Tigers clubhouse, tidy up at Cossall Estate and leaflet for Link Age Southwark

Southwark News

• On the weekend we helped man a water station at the British 10k. Read all about it here. There'll be an opportunity to volunteer at the Oxford Half in October - you get a free Virgin race place for your hard work!

• Community Missions are back! If you have suggestions of tasks a little bit out of our usual hit zone, give me a shout!

• Huge hello and welcome to Caroline, Sammy, Daniela and Owen who joined us for the first time last night.

That's enough of the business

Last night Southwark was MEGA. We helped three different organisations in one night - flyering for Southwark Link Age, painting Southwark Tigers' clubhouse and tidying up at Cossall Estate. Phewf!

We split into two groups - one running the 6k round trip to Tigers and one the 2km round trip to Cossall Estate.

• Long run group were well looked after by Helena and Girija - they got to work painting walls, scraping the floor of paint, painting the blackboard and finishing off skirting boards.

• Short run group led by Lucy and Beth watered plants, cleared a huge cupboard (we found a 'Now 2003' CD that's a keeper!) and started the big job of removing damaged flooring from the hall since the flood.

Michael at Tigers and Alan and Jaki at Cossall were blown away as usual by our speedy and efficient work. We finished the clubhouse, watered all of Grow Cossall's raised beds and cleared a huge cupboard (see photo). We also moved on lots of leaflets calling for volunteers for Link Age Southwark. A busy night... and it wasn't over just yet!

In perfect timing, both groups arrived back to base for 20.15 which means - you guessed it - 15 minutes for fitness fun! We went to a corner of the Rye for a session using the breath as a marker for how hard we're working when we're running.

• Easy: in through the nose, out through the nose

• Medium: in through the nose, out through the mouth

• Hard: in through the mouth out through the mouth

To find out more about how this works you'll have to come and run with us! After the run we went on our monthly social (third Wednesday off the month) to Peckham Levels for a well-deserved drink and food. Thank you to Girija for organising - looking forward to next month already :)

Next week we're gardening at Stuart Road Allotments - sign up here.

See you then!

Keep running happy, Lucy