While some people say that if Monday had a face they would punch it, here at GoodGym we LOVE Mondays. Because when Monday evening rolls around, we get to meet up at the amazing Battersea Arts Centre, see some ace people, run like we stole something, and make our borough a better place to live. What’s not to love?

Last night was no exception when a group of lovely Wandsworth regulars and a few excellent new faces met up ready to do some good at Balham Community Centre, a charity that works to support families in Wandsworth. Hello to first-timers Georgie, Kate and Elizabeth, we're really happy you’ve joined us!

After our briefing we had race reports – great job Cath and Sally who both smashed races in the past week – announced an exciting new pairing with a local physio (watch this space, more coming soon), and then it was over to Matthew for this week’s CoRUNdrum. Which underground station has the river Westbourne flowing through it? With that headscratcher from Matthew we set off towards Balham. Will made himself very popular by suggesting a quick fartlek session as we ran through the common. It may have been painful, but this form of speed work (from the Swedish for ‘speed play’) is great for training. It speeds up anaerobic fitness, burns more calories, increases your heartrate and mixes up your training. So well done Will, thanks for pushing us!

Before long we had run the two-and-a-bit miles to the community centre and while one group set about pruning the trees that surround the kids’ playground, the other half began weeding with a vengeance. 24 pairs of gloves, four loppers and three secateurs later, the trees were denuded and the playground was deweeded. The difference was obvious, well done team.

Off we ran, amid a chorus of cat calls from the open-fronted Italian restaurant opposite the centre. We almost invited them to join us for a speed-off but the temptation of pasta was too great, and we charged up Balham High Road, stopping again at the common for a session on technique and a turbo-charged plank challenge. With Will leading one group, and Vicki taking the other, we split up and raced each other home to the BAC. We got back in record time – it turns out that cakes are a good incentive for getting that PB. Who knew?

A few quick stretches and the answer to Matthew’s great CoRUNdrum revealed – Sloane Square has a river running through the overhead pipes – we ate cake, talked about who would be at the GoodGym-wide drinks in Brixton on Thursday, and wiped away our sweat. Great job everybody, can’t wait to see you all next Monday. You can sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/group_runs/do-good-for-your-borough

Before then, we have a mission this Saturday morning (10th) for which we need some more helpers. We’ll meet at 9am at Smuggler’s Way to help the Wandle Wheelers set up for their ride until 10am, then run a quick 5k by the river together. Sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/missions/help-wandle-wheelers-set-up-for-their-big-ride

HAPPY MONDAYS All round when a dozen Goodgymers ran 5k, to Kilburn Grange Park for a dose of gardening and an even bigger dose of upper body strength work.

(and yes this is a musical, Happy Mondays band themed run report, in case you get confused LOL)

Despite feeling a little under the weather myself, there were no PILL SPILLS AND BELLY ACHES that could keep me away from my beautiful GG Brent. To kick off the night, I was delighted to see, as well as the familiars, lots of new faces at base camp too! Tanya, Jarshee, Dharmistha and Shanta four lovely ladies ready to push down pavements and give back some goodness to their local community.

Back with our new friends - Kilburn Grange Park, to finish the gardening we started last week, after a warm and fun fuelled housekeeping we set off into the night. With Dan at the helm and me leading from the back, we set off on the first leg of the journey down to the high road, minding not to STEP ON the many cracked pavements and tree roots springing up attempting to hinder our fast pace.

In no time at all we had arrived and BOBS YOUR UNCLE were greeted by the gorgeous AJ with all the tools needed to get cracking straight away YAY

With the last of the SUNSHINE and plenty of LOVE we got to work digging, pulling weeds and raking up the dead leaves to reveal beautiful new soil ready for new planting.

About half way through, there was a HALLELUJA Moment, when AJ brought out 2 trays of deliciously prepared watermelon for the team!!! Amazing!! Stepping away from our Manchester themed music night for one moment of madness it was WHAM BAM THANK YOU MAM When I accompanied the moment with a dose of Club Tropicana on the spotify mix.... (Clairey-Bells request!!)

So joyful our volunteering must have seemed from the outside, that we were suddenly surrounded by a gaggle of local kids questioning and quizzing what we were up to and then.... oh wait - No they were just here for the melon!!!! Of course.

With tummys full and the final countdown upon us we rushed to fill the last of the refuse sacks before said our goodbyes and hot footing it over to the playground for some more fitness fun!! No monkeying around as I guided the team into a series of hanging body holds and pull-ups on the bars and a team challenge of perfect technique press-ups on the grass.

Can we accept the Elle Energy challenge for this week I proclaimed.... 7 press ups every single day until next Monday??? YES WE CAN!!

After the upper-body annihilation, the lower body was back in business, as our legs did the work carrying us back the last 1.5miles back to base camp - The Queensbury. Hills were the last challenge of the night and with hips high and knees driving upwards, the team demo'd perfect skills to battle the last tree roots home and make it back in time for stretches bang on 8.30pm!! WOOP WOOP.

A night of fun fuelled, fruity goodness and fitness fury in the second week of the summer, that's another week rocked in Brent.

Until next time 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

A movie-themed run report by Andrea

Set free from our Office Space(s), eight My Fair Ladies and one Ironman came out for a night of running and gardening here in Brent.

Tonight we were graced by the leadership of Lisa, who’s set to lead the Ealing group come next week! The crew set off, undeterred by the wet weather (it was quite Cool Running). Two miles later we had made it to Kingsgate’s Secret Garden at Kilburn Grange Park.

We were led to the Temple (…aka Toolshed) of Doom featuring the best array of gardening equipment this team has seen to date. Though tempting, we avoided a Chainsaw Massacre by keeping to the equipment we (mostly) knew how to use – the highlight was definitely the giant eyelash -curler-esque weed scoopers.

In a quick break from gardening, we dashed through La Vie en Rose (…aka rose garden) in partner squat and sprint races. Soon it was time for the 2 mile run home, where we again incorporated some Speed work. Running like The Fast and the Furious, we found ourselves back at home-base with five minutes to spare… just enough time for the 100 squat challenge Bring It On. The A-Team pulled together in some of our best form yet to Power Ranger through this final piece of the workout.

Now.....That’s all folks!!!!!

Until next time