Carlsberg don’t do group runs, but if they did…

…they would start off in the astro-turfed hills and bridges of the childrens’ play area at the BAC, include cheering an amazing weekend of races, one incredible charity, a super tough fitness session and – of course – the brilliant Wandsworth runners.

It was a great start to the run this week as we all crowded into the magical play area. We found a spot in the rolling green hills, on top of the little bridge and even in the tunnel underneath it. With everybody sitting comfortably, we began. It was a huge well done this week to Tom, David and Sophie, who did the first park runs when they joined Mattthew and Sarah down at Peckham on Saturday where GoodGym was pacing. It was a cold start, but they warmed up with a few bellinis afterwards. Now that’s a great race incentive. Next week a Wandsworth contingent is going down to Fulham Palace park run, so it’s a great chance to meet up with some friendly faces and chase that 5k PB. We also said a huge welcome to the lovely new Mable, Yewande and Nicola - so happy to have you with us guys.

After a nice little warm up with the luxury of being indoors, we set off out into the freezing night. It was only a short run this week, so we started with a quick Indian file drill round the common to get our hearts pumping. Then Dave led the way to the Devas club, an incredible resource for young people in the borough. The centre aims to engage and educate people up to the age of 25, and is committed to making a positive impact on their lives. It offers a huge variety of activities to support physical, mental and spiritual growth in its members. It has, amongst other thing, a rooftop pitch, dance studios, a massive kitchen – and a basketball court on which we learnt that runners can’t dunk (although Jack was close).

We set about shifting a huge pile of equipment and furniture to different rooms and to the carpark outside. It was a fantastic upper body work out and, with some of David’s expert rigging direction, we managed to clear the lot in record time. Check out the photo of David, Sophie, Hannah and Penny managing to carry a box big enough to fit them all inside down three flights of stairs. Impressive work!

Thanks to Devas’ Sheila, we had our first task where we were given biscuits as a reward. Thanks Sheila – although you’ve set a dangerous precedent! After a quick sugar hit, it was back to the common to smash a brisk and very tough fitness session. We started off with some strengthening exercises, and because Wandsworth loves a good old element of competition, we split up into teams. Well done to Mable and Yewande‘s team, who raced through it. Then it was on to the brutal Paarlauf. The idea is that you partner up, sprint to tag your team member, then cut across the circuit as a recovery to meet your partner and start the whole endurance-building exercise again. It is a really tough but effective drill, because although you get a chance to recover, your heart rate is kept high. With five minutes of tagging, it was time for a plank off. Two solid minutes down and there were still a few strong plankers going, so we all took turns trying to destabilise them. Cruel, but effective.

Then it was back to the warmth of the BAC, where Tom was crowned CoRUNdrum winner by correctly identifying Martin Bashir as the answer to this week’s Wandsworth ‘who am I?’

Well done to everybody who braved the cold this week, you should all feel really proud of yourselves. Don’t forget about the Wandsworth Christmas party this Thursday. Next week we’re going to try and form a human chain to clear junk from a community centre in Balham, so we’re going to need as many helping hands as possible! Sign up here:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/run-to-a-local-primary-school

There once was a group of good runners,

Who knew they could achieve wonders,

They would set off at speed

To do a fine deed,

And get fit and do good with some others.

                           ...

With Wandsworth as their destination,

They were filled with athletic elation,

To the BAC they were bound,

Many red tshirts was found,

Plus a bar for post-run hydration.

                   ...

First was hello to our lovely new faces,

We cheered those who had taken on races,

Welcome to Kylie and Jim,

Jack’s tri was run, bike and swim,

While Matthew got a PB through good pacing.

                      ...

Now tonight’s task could not be much better,

We just needed a decent pace setter,

Down Battersea Park Road,

We ran, jogged and strode,

And found Paul’s cancer support centre.

                               ...

It was hard work for the next half an hour,

There were rooms to scrub and to scour,

But with usual good cheer,

Some blood, sweat and tears,

It was no match for GoodGym’s vast power.

                              ....

But this was no time for sporting regression,

We set off for our tough fitness session,

Sprinting through dark,

We reached Battersea Park,

In pursuit of athletic perfection.

                            ...

Tonight’s challenge was a round of hard circuits,

But Wandsworth sure knows how to work it,

There were lunges and hops,

Jumping Jordans and squats,

Proving GoodGymmers are all super fit.

                   ...

Before the evening could be called complete,

There lay before us two difficult feats,

A hill sprint must be done,

Then the weekly CoRUNdrum,

And we all know that runners don’t cheat.

                     ...

GGers know that the key to sweet booty,

Is to run up that hill oh-so-smoothly,

We tackled it like pros,

With high knees and light toes,

And the winner of the CoRUNdrum was Lucy!

                              ...

Amazing work as always Team GG. Sign up for next week’s run here! https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/down-to-devas-to-shift-some-furniture

ps check out Jack's amazing medal in the photos! Way to go