Our task for the evening yesterday was back at Doddington community roof garden, a space which has been transformed by volunteers from a multistory carpark into a thriving garden for local people. It's a regular one for us, but it is always fun to see the surprise on people's faces when they visit for the first time - hidden away in a Battersea estate, it's up an easily-missable flight of stairs which opens out into a huge maze of flower beds, herb gardens and composting areas.

It was a short run of just over a mile down to the garden, so we started off the night with a warm up and a quick poll on the little and large things we're doing to help protect the environment. There were some top tips, including riding your bike as much as possible to get places, reducing meat and cutting out single-use plastic, but also some very bright ideas like deleting spam and unsubscribing from email lists which both carry a carbon footprint. You're a clever bunch!

We were excited to welcome Jenni for her first GoodGym session, and to talk about her show, Endurance which sees her perform a feat of endurance, live and in real time at the BAC. She gave us a little talk on how she was inspired by female ultra runners and also about her project 'When we run, we become', where she will be running with other people. Running safely in public spaces is something that we've talked about a lot at GoodGym - if you would like to continue this important discussion, do reach out to Jenni. And don't forget, we have a lovely community at GG, if you ever want to go out for a run and don't feel comfortable by yourself, drop a message on our whatsapp group or send me an email and we'll find a way to run with you!

After a good steady pace down to Doddington we arrived to find Malissa, lead volunteer, waiting for us. She led us through the garden, pointing out interesting plants as we went (while I was trying not to think about how many expensive 'proper' plants I've pulled up over the years of GG tasks, thinking they were weeds...). She distributed shovels, brooms and trugs, and we soon got cracking on various jobs round the garden.

After 40 minutes of hard work, we were almost done for the evening. Apologies for the quality of the photos - I was told a couple of weeks ago that they look like I'm taking them out of a moving car, at night, in the middle of a storm.

All that was left was that tough little leg finisher. We gathered out in the lovely Doddingon square and started smashing through some lower body exercises designed not exclusively to inflict pain, but also strengthen all those important leg muscles and create quads of iron. Some excellent form there everyone!

After that mean old hill and a few stretches to finish off, it was time for a bite to eat and drinks round the corner. Look out for the GG Wandsworth Christmas social coming soon! Next week I'll be away so our group run will be replaced with a Monday night community mission, check out the details here. A final word to wish Caroline, long-term GG Wandsworth member, farewell and good luck for her move to Bristol - have a brilliant time there!

Run happy, run safe, GoodGym.

Haribo, Bounty, M&Ms, Reese's peanut cups, Snickers..... we started the group run last night dreaming of all the delicious treats we would've wanted to receive if we'd gone trick or treating at the weekend. With the prospect of a sugar high at the end of our run, we started off with a much-needed warm up, and welcomed Alex to her very first GoodGym session - give her one massive cheer!

We set off on the run down to a public garden which has not been well looked after since we were last there pre pandemic. This space is available for local people to use but needs some love before it becomes a welcoming area for the community. Enter GoodGym!

We were slightly delayed by the appearance of two very excited puppies who greeted us at the gate, but once they had been taken off on their walks we were able to get stuck in. Once again, it was testament to just how much a group of people with that much energy can achieve in a short amount of time. We weeded, picked litter, filled bags with waste and generally spruced the area right up!

To keep us getting too nippy, we did our fitness session on the fly, with bursts of running interspersed with strength and conditioning segments allt he way back to the BAC. While we may have got a few strange looks from passers by, it was worth it for the excellent Karate Kid crane stances you demonstrated by the side of the road!

All that was left was for some stretches, and to make plans for next week's group run followed by a lovely fireworks night themed social. Everybody welcome - come and join us for more doing good, getting fitter and some lovely food and drinks afterwards. Until then, happy running GoodGym!

With the rain holding off, it was all systems go at GoodGym Wandsworth last night - and it was brilliant to welcome Octavia to the group for her first run - give her a cheer!

We started off with a warm up after which we discussed our favourite things about autumn - hot soups, especially pumpkin, warm pubs but still be able to enjoy the pub garden, and open fires - what a lot to look forward to!

We took a short run down to the locally known Banana Park, where we did some flying thirties, looking at different technical points for each sprint. Don't forget that elusive pocket to socket!

Then it was over to Waste Not Want Not, a charity which saves food from being wasted and feeds the local community, where we sorted through donations, did some composting, and even created some beautiful displays ready for an event they're putting on. Great work, even though we could all smell tomato juice all the way back to base....

All that was left was a short run up the hill to the BAC and some stretches. Next week we have a lovely task helping out an independent arts and theatre charity, you can sign up here. Hope to see you then! Until next week, happy running everyone.

It wasn't looking like group run weather yesterday, but as the day went on the sun came out and we had perfect conditions for our lovely session at Christchurch community garden, a local space which is being cared for by a group of volunteers.

After a warm up we had a chat about all the nice things we had got up to over the weekend. There were loads of joyful things happening, including birthday parties, new jobs, trips to the seaside, birthdays, and looking after littlies - you know how to make the most of the weekend!

We ran over to the community garden and launched straight into a tough but short session focussed on legs and abs., all helped by an incredibly cute little pup eager to see what we were up to. Sorry about the frogs/squat combination!

Then it was over to meet Nigel who gave us a selection of tools to use to break down and pack up a pile of wood. We've been working on this pile for quite some time - take a look at the picture taken earlier this Summer when we first began. We're so close to finishing it! I had a message from Nigel this morning, who said, "Thank you so much for the hard work your team put in yesterday evening. It is really a great help to us at Christ Church". Great job everybody - well done on some really hard work.

Next Monday's session to be confirmed shortly, watch this space...until then, happy running!