Just because the task cancelled, doesn’t mean we stop… oh no,.. this week we helped ourselves… by getting fitter and stronger and spreading the Goodgym name across Lambeth to recruit more members for the New Year.

Inspired by the speed of you all, Maya has written a lovely little account in the style of Usain Bolt… and if you want to sponsor her then you can do so here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StHildasEast

"Heer me naw. Looads a people be commin to da run in Papa park, Brixtan. Big up da team for cummin along on a daak coold wintas evenin. Both da task we was gunna do be cancelled last minate, so my main gal Rebecca be puttin us tru our paces and takin us to da common in Claphaam. 1 mile we ran der, each wid a flyer spreddin good wurds about da good gym cru. Owa job was to try convince udda runners to join us on owa weekly tasks. Wen we got to da ponds in da common we den had to do a sprint man, yeh, around da pond wid d geese n everyting. Rebecca timed us and den we tried to beat owa time da second time around. It wos tuff ya kno? Dis was followed by circuits in da park wich reminded me of da good ol days wen we did dees everi week man. Owa run back was pritty smood, and to mek everyting betta we den had tree cakes to gorge on innit. Testee! As if dis wernt enaf, sum of da cru wen down to da rhum baa to warm owa cockales afta. A wandaful time was ad by all".

As we said goodbye to September, GG Hackney were also wishing a fond farewell to Coach Ellie from Brent, as they hosted her for one last fling with the East.

After a bitter-sweet housekeeping, an energetic team of eight adventurers took to the streets to conquer the creeping cold and complete the mud shifting task for the Narrow Street partnership.

With a swift shuffle to Wilton Estate to collect the tools with Debbie, the team split into 3 sub crews and at varying speeds weaved their ways through the back streets up to the meet point to begin.

The people of Mare Street didn't quite know what to make of the red shirted army of spade yielding warriors as we hot foot it through the crowds. Luckily though, Ellie's safety briefing beforehand saved any casualties befalling the night... "don't hit anyone coz we'll get sued" Right you are then!!

Arriving on task the team worked furiously stuffing bin bags with soil from the old flower beds and stacking those bags into pile upon pile. The combination of lifting and squatting, worked up a sweat, got the blood pumping and kept spirits high, despite the holy bags and outpouring of the already collected mud!! Our hard work only to be undone and completed again twice over!!!! Aghhhgghhh

Despite the set backs, the time crept away and the crew wrapped up the final throws with a total of 12 full bin bags and 5 empty troughs!! Good work.

As quick as we'd arrived again we were on the move, with a weaving and bobbing manoeuvre extravaganza and last wheelbarrow push up to Wilton for the final drop.

Upon Steph's request and to the..... Ahem... Delight?!?? Of the rest, the night ended with a masterclass in squats and a team who were schooled in "engaging their glutes" and conditioning their hammys. Becoming experts in no time (despite the odd accidental twerk) coach Ellie was proud and set the homework to continue the good work started and invited them to GG Brent to keep it up!

Stretching to finish and a collective team brain scratcher to come up with the pun....I'm.still waiting for team entries LOL The night was at a close for another week.

Until we meet again Hackney Crew, you've been a delight and a breath of fresh air, to this westy out of water. See you again soon!!

FEEL GOOD. DO GOOD. INSPIRE