5 Runners ran 3k to help keep the Children's Garden in good shape.

4 of us met up at Blue House Yard and found we were split into 2 groups. Team 5k Helen and Yann vrs team Ultra Dave and Duncan. Duncan having recently done a proper cross country one!

After some quick dynamic warm ups we then wove our way through the Russell Park and Belmont Rec over to Lordship, where we finished with a single hill sprint. Focusing on Heads, -shoulders,- knees, and toes. Straight spine, high knees, and looking 3 steps ahead.

Once we got to Harmony Gardens, we split into 3 teams. Weeding, Mulching, and the local kids and honorary GoodGymers were on fruit clean up duty.

When I was last in the garden, there was loads of tadpoles in the pond. I was really pleased to see the pond hadn't dried out in the drought, and we managed to find loads of tiny frogs hiding round the edge. He even coaxed one into sitting on his fingernail!

Despite the wildlife breaks, we still managed to smash out all the weeding and remulch the paths, and squeezed in a quick driving elbows drill to improve running efficiency.

On a very balmy evening Sarah met Yann and Dave at Blue House Yard, for a very gentle run to Harmony Gardens, where we met Paul, Ed and task owner Mike.

Mike explained our task was to give some very thirsty trees a big drink. He had already filled various bottles, watering cans and a giant Camelbak-style bottle and had them lined up in wheelbarrows and a rickety cart waiting to go.

So we proceeded around the Rec to various trees that needed a boost - serving doubles ) double watering cans that is) to each. We also got stuck in to mulching some of the trees with cardboard and woodchip.

About halfway through it was lovely to see Niamh who had turned up to Harmony Gardens but was guided across the Rec by our voices and our vibrant red t-shirts.

Our work done, some of us then visited the pond in Harmony Gardens to spot frogs and a rather magnificent dragonfly, before heading off to slake our own thirst.

We are back at Harmony Gardens next month - let's hope the drought breaks before then!

On a beautifully sunny evening 5 Goodgymers set out to help the growth of new trees in Lordship Rec. Mike, our task owner, briefed us on the benefits of putting wood-chip around the base of recently planted trees - assisting with moisture retention, weed and grass suppression, temperature regulation, nutrition, etc. However he was very clear that the wood-chip should not touch the tree itself (to prevent moisture build-up and rot at the base). What we need is "Mulch Doughnuts" he insisted. Great fun was had, and the task was completed well within time, of course with the accompaniment of various insect bites. This was Paul's 50th good deed for which he received an endearing hug from Julie. The team, which included The Neil, James, and Mark, decided to do a walk from task, somehow ending up at Woodgreen Spoons! They were joined by Latoya who managed to escape from work, and thirsts were well quenched. Congratulations Paul on your 50th task - see you in black soon!

Tonight's task took us to the pond at Harmony Gardens. Mike explained that three-cornered leeks were running rampant, and we needed to pull as many as possible up control the spread. They can spread by dividing bulbs but also through seeds. Mike advised not growing them in your garden - but they make a tasty pesto!

Everyone grabbed a fork and got to work. Before we knew it it was 8pm, there were still three cornered leeks everywhere but we had made a dent.

We're heading back on May 20, when the three-cornered leeks will be over but Mike will find plenty of other things for us to do.

Two new Goodgymmers, Haoran and Helen, joined today's run leader Sarah at Blue House Yard on this balmy spring evening. From there, it was a gentle run to Lordship Recreation Ground to meet task owner Mike and the rest of the GGH gang.

Mike issued us with a wheelbarrow each and we headed to the woodchip pile. The first task was to uncover some logs that were submerged in the pile and load up the wheelbarrows. Then we had to wheel the barrows across the Rec to the bug hotel in the orchard. This is something we had started on a previous visit, so those who had been before (coughSarahcough) were reminded of how hard it is to transport a fully laden wheelbarrow across the Rec. We definitely put the Gym in Goodgym today!

As the sun set, the bugs inspected the improvements to their hotel. There was time for them each to have a snack before bed. Yet again, no one in our trusty team had remembered to put insect repellent on before venturing out this evening. That's just how altruistic (or forgetful) we are...

On a rather grim Wednesday evening the Goodgym Haringey troops assembled at Broadwater Farm estate. As tonight's leader Sarah was the first to arrive - though possibly beaten by Mark and newcomer Jessie, who went to the other pin on the run listing.

Task owner Mike explained today's task - carting wheelbarrow loads of mulch up the hill, which got progressively boggier the higher we went. Apparently there is a hidden spring!

The team made short work of the task and had enough time left over to do a side mission to make the Lordship Rec parkrun start and finish less muddy.