It was a beautiful autumnal day for the latest Saturday run. It feels like its been a while since we’ve met at Roll for the Soul and it was good to be back. This week’s run was in Redcliffe, so a pretty short run, helping LinkAge to restore a community garden and rockery for older people in the community. We were joined by Steph from GoodGym Bath, who took us a through a warm up in Queen’s Square, running quick laps around the statue. When we got to the garden we joined members of the community who were already hard at work pulling up vegetation, shifting rocks and planting some alpine plants. We planned to run back a longer way, but we were given the option of having some soup instead, not a very hard decision! It was great to work closely with a community group, and we’ll definitely be back to give them a hand making the garden a reality.

21 runners ran 5km focus on hip position to shift a tonne of Compost for Dalston Curve garden.

This session focused on hips. Good hips means good running.
We had to shift a mound of earth for Dalston Curve Garden. Home of Becky Greenwood's Pizza oven.

We jogged over to Dalston at a nice steady pace lead by Mark. Mark has great hips, and a nice light running style.

When we arrived they were not quite ready for us so we strengethed our cores and hips on the sand, in front of a band who played us some delightful music.

purple tunnel of "buddleja"

By this point we had a lovely load of spades and shovels ready for us to start shifting the mound of earth hidden behind the purple tunnel of buddleja.

Those not digging did more work on their hips, strengething with some flutter kicks, planks and mountain climbers on the sand.

"Space for a van"

By the time the reps were over the mound of earth was moved leaving ample space for a van.

"hip partners"

We headed to Hackney Downs for some more hip interrogation . We got ourselves some hip partners who kept their eyes on our hips to give us some feedback.

HIP INFO

If you're interested in little bit more hip stuff, here's a short video of Americans talking about good hip position, and here's a longer article about why it's important.

MISSION REPORT

While the rest of GoodGym Hackney headed to the Curve Garden, Ros and I did our best Charlie Dimmock / Alan Titchmarsh impersonations at a Groundforce-style mission in Stokey.

"rolls of astroturf"

We ran 4km to visit the friendly Rachel, who was ready to meet us in the front garden with rolls of astroturf and a selection of paving slabs. It soon became apparent Ros had been a Landscape Architect in a previous life, as she talked Rachel through her “vision for the space”.

"climbing into the brown bin"

We set to work clearing the space of garden waste, with Ros climbing into the brown bin to maximise capacity. With light rain falling, we laid the astroturf, pinning it in place with carefully arranged slabs.

"a very generous round of applause"

We all agreed the finished article was a lovely sight – and if Groundforce were rebooted, Ros would be top pick. We said our goodbyes and made a speedy run back to meet the others for a very generous round of applause and some much needed stretching.

37 runners and Molly the dog met at Papa’s on a magnificent Tuesday evening – it was a night where we completed 4 big tasks, covered the length and breadth of Lambeth, celebrated Rebecca Nellis’ big 100 good deeds, ate some cakes and drank cheap fizz. It was perfect.

Unfortunately we didn’t win the lottery, but the round up of the night’s events tell me we are very much winners.

Team Papas

So the Papa’s park crew might not have run anywhere but don’t be mistaken by thinking this meant they got off lightly…. far far from it. These brave souls were rewarded for their excellent sanding and painting skills with 15 minutes of full body circuits. Burpees, press ups, squats, lunges, dips and sprints were banged out non stop. Legs wept and waved white flags begging for a ceasefire whilst upper bodies gave up hope and emigrated to Turkey . An impressive display of technique and grit ensured that these guys are one step closer to getting stronger and faster and injury free. It’s not just about running folks, make sure you train your muscles folks to condition that tank of yours. Just as we were finishing Jitendra turned up with the most wonderful cakes I have ever tasted (and I know my cake) instantly winning my “Man of the Match’ ,. Bravo

Team Myatt’s - errrr... In lieu of an actual report from anyone, and based on the photos I believe that the Myatt's team lifted some serious wood.... (not a euphemism).

Team Olive - By Beth

Lovely Dyfed (he remembered me from last year and even remembered that I'm 'some sort of doctor or scientist') definitely deserves a good deed, no way we would have managed to get it done without him.

After jogging just around the corner with Dyfed and his dog Molly, Laura and I arrived at Olive's house. I was really looking forward to seeing what it was like after coming almost a year ago to help chop down a massive bush that was taking over the whole garden. Pleasantly surprised that it was still under control we got to work. While Laura and Dyfed chopped branches and pulled up weeds, I did my best to bag it all up. I had the usual panic about two-thirds of the way in, with big piles of greenery in the middle of the garden I wasn't sure that what we were doing was actually helping but once we were done and had filled about 20 bags it was clear we had made a big difference. All that was left was to head back to Papa's for some bubbly and delicious madeleines in celebration of Lambeth's first wings, congratulations on reaching 100 good deeds Nelly!

Team Nature Garden - By Alex

On a warm balmy evening, five GG'ers tootled up Brixton Hill to visit Palace Road Nature Garden where they met the very calm Gerry. Splitting into two groups the lads took it upon them selves to move logs, and lay down some wood chip next to the pond. The ladies, wielding machetes, took to clearing nettles and prickly plant things from the path. Gerry pointed out the muriel on the back wall, which is well worth a look! And before we took out leave, we had time for a cheeky photo with him too! On the run back one runner had to stop and walk, but in good ol' GG fashion no man was left behind; and a rescue service on bike was soon to their aid. Meaning we all got back in time to celebrate in style!