If only the skies had been as blue as the paint job we did last night!

We started off the evening dry as a bone, and even though the gathering clouds were ominous, we were looking forward to an inside task. There may have been a little bit of disappointment for some in the air after the football the night before but we were cheered up with a flying visit from a friend - great to have you back for a session Jack!

The theme of the evening was positivity (especially given the prospect of our margs and margs social later on that evening), so after our warm up we each told the group something that gives us a little lift. Answers included sugar, gin, ringing a friend, yoga, coffee and entering a race - which I think is a very good range!

We set off for the ROSE clubroom, a space which is the home to lots of important resources for local people, including free workshops, classes and meals, a community engagement group, local clean ups sessions and events for children.

When we arrived we found the place already set up and ready to go, and we were delighted to see that rather than refreshing white walls with more white paint as we usually do, we had a major colour transformation ahead of us. Grabbing our brushes, masking tape and rollers, we set about changing the colour scheme from a browny purple to a fabulous bright blue!

During the course of the evening there was plenty of Changing Rooms v 30 Minute Makeover chat, remembering Smiley Carol and all the transformations that didn't quite go to plan! Luckily the new colour at the community centre was universally approved of, and we managed to successfully get the first coat on relatively quickly. We were on a roll(er)! We'll be back in a couple of weeks to do the other sections of wall.

We were just having our group photo taken and finishing up the last of the clearing up when the skies darkened even more and there came the sound of thunder rumbling. The next thing we knew the heavens had opened. We stood under cover for a few minutes discussing what to do, but it was showing no signs of stopping. There was nothing for it but to bite the bullet and head into the storm. The rain spurred us on to a nice fast run back to base and we were back in record time. Or perhaps it was the prospect of margarita pizzas and cocktails at a local bar? Who knows!

Next week we're back at a local community garden which is being reopened to the public after being shut since lockdown. It would be great to see you there!

We've also started weekly Sunday morning sessions helping out with the junior parkrun in Battersea Park. It's a really great event helping get young people active, so if you'd like to join in the fun then please sign up here.

At the beginning of a hot and sunny week, we celebrated by heading to a local arts and theatre charity to help wash their many, many (many) windows....

It was great to see some familiar faces back again as well as our lovely regulars, and we started off the evening with a very energetic warm up. Check out the height on that skipping!

After a burst of activity that activated our muscles we set off through the sunny and bust streets of Wandsworth for the mile run to the Omnibus Theatre, a local arts hub that engages young people and aims to bring theatre and the performing arts to everybody in the local community.

Before we got stuck in, we had a quick guess about how many panes we would actually get done, with the estimated ranging from 17 all the way into the 70s.

Armed with sponges and buckets we wiped, washed and buffed our way from window to window leaving nothing but streak free shine in our wake. The theatre was really pleased with the job, so well done on completing a sparkling task. The panes were carefully counted and verified and I can reveal that we managed an amazing 58 windows...incredible work! To celebrate a job well done we headed over to a heaving common for a fitness session that saw us attempt a game of clusters and then take on a hot and sweaty circuits challenge. You all smashed it!

All that was left was some stretches and then off to the pub for a social where Annabel gave us a brilliant hack which resulted in free drinks all round - and very well deserved they were too.

Next week we're back at Doddington roof garden where there may or may not be compost to transport... you can sign up for more Monday fun right here. We also have the GoodGym rounders this Saturday, hope to see as many of you as possible there for what promises to be a very fun afternoon!

Monday is undoubtedly the best day of the week when GoodGym is involved and last night was no exception. We spent GoodGym Wandsworth’s 3rd birthday doing what we do best, running hard, working hard and celebrating our accomplishments as a team

New runners Lauren and Jo joined us for first time last night and I’d like to extend a huge GoodGym Wandsworth welcome to you both. Go ahead and give them both a cheer

NEWS

• Over the past 3 years GoodGym Wandsworth have complete 202 group runs, 306 missions and currently have 11 coach partnerships. In the last 12 months alone, we’ve completed 1969 good deeds. This represents a massive amount of support to the community. Each one of you should be proud of your contribution towards our success and the impact we’ve collectively made supporting our borough

• The GoodGym Olympics took place on Saturday with Captain Sophie leading the Wandsworth Warriors to a podium place for the 3rd year running. Our team of 11 athletes finishing in 3rd place with amazing performances from everyone who took part, you’ve all superstars! Other highlight from the day were the marching band complete with GoodGym anthem, flag parade, the bake off competition, the veg carving competition, temporary GG tattoos and pin the tail on the runner, to name a few. We’ve already started strategising for next year, watch this space...

• The next GG monthly long run is going to be a tour of the Docklands area, which takes place on the 25th August. There are 3 distance options, 26km, 16km, 10km, details and sign up here

• This months GG social will be held this Thursday the 8th August on the Southbank, if you would like to attend all details are here

• Have you heard the latest ‘Reasons to be cheerful’ podcast? It has no other than our very own Ivo Gormley as a guest and is definitely worth a listen, head here to listen now!

• If anyone has any tales of inspiration from Team GB athletes and would like to share them, please email rebecca@goodgym.org and tell us who inspired you the most

DO GOOD

Our tasks this week was at was at our local branch of the Salvation Army in Balham. The Salvation Army hold children and toddler's group on every Tuesday and Wednesday morning, which relies on voluntary help to keep going. They also have a garden space that is completely overrun with brambles. Both the toys and garden required some of our GoodGym magic

GET FIT

Not only was regular warm up area unavailable, but this week the Battersea Arts Centre was unexpectedly closed as well. With some quick thinking and rallying from the Wandsworth Taskforce we had WhatsApp messages, changing locations and car boots available for baggage, disaster averted, well done team!! After an alfresco briefing we warmed up using the pavement area outside BAC, working through a series of low impact drills, which was wrapped up with a quick birthday themed poll on everyone’s favourite type of cake. Shortly after we set off for the first leg of our run covering the first 2.5km of the night and arrived feeling fresh and raring to go

We were greeted at the Salvation Army by Andrew and after a short welcome brief got stuck in to our tasks. Our first task was washing toys for the children and toddler's group and it took no time for a production line of washing, drying, sorting and stacking to begin. Our second task was in their garden and car park area, where we tackled some unruly brambles in true GoodGym style

After 45 mins the toys were squeaky clean, organised and sorted for the next group of children to enjoy. The brambles were cut and bagged, a serious dent was made to the overrun garden and the car park was tidy and free from overhanging brambles. All that was left was a quick tidy and a thank you from Andrew, before setting off for our 2.5km uphill push to BAC. Great work team Wandsworth!!

CELEBRATION

The night didn’t finish there, as we headed from BAC over to Clapham Common for a picnic to reward all our efforts over the last 3 years and to celebrate how far this group has come in that time. What a great way to mark the occasion

I’d like to thank you for all for the awesome effort you’ve put in over the last couple of weeks, it’s been an absolute pleasure leading while Ana’s been away. You all make GoodGym so special and I’m very proud to be a part of and to have led this group

COMING UP

Next week Ana will be back after her time away and leading us for our task at the Doddington roof garden, sign up here

Happy Running!!