Unlucky for some, 13 runners took on a shed surrounded by lots of cobwebs and flower pots as well as 3.6km, a hill and some sprints.

We welcomed some travelling GoodGymmers as well as some first timers who got straight to it.

After a long run to Surrey Docks Farm last week, we had a shorter and more familiar route to Grove Park Allotments. Though up hill and a bit sweaty, we all made it in one piece and with no drama.

Lots of people are away at the allotments so there was lots to do... Strimming, watering, path clearing, paint brush cleaning, web clearing and shed waterproofing. A team with yoghurt pots to hand (big up Helena for bringing her own) got to work on the shed and the community board after sweeping off lots of cobwebs. We were a bit sad that it wasn't a more colourful coat but I guess waterproofing for the winter is a little bit more important.

what colour would you paint your shed?

The rest of us were spread across the communal areas in the allotments, lots of need for strimming though the strimmer was of the more lively variety! Lots of watering and weeding and dreaming of having a London garden and then, all of a sudden, time was up.

A quick round up and team pic and we were off. We took a different route home and stopped in Warwick Park for a quick pyramid session. As time was short, the group only had to do 4 rounds...60% effort lap, 1 Burpee, 70% effort lap, 2 burpees, 80-90%effort, 3 burpees, all out lap, 4 burpees. And then we were done.

After a quick jog back and a stretch whilst Pritesh told us about the next big goodgym social and we were off to the Rye Pub. We made it in time to see the GB men win our first gold medal for the diving & to eat some yummy post-run fuel.

See you next week folks.

20 runners ran 4km and helped both Alara and Skip Garden

It was a rainy humid day but we ignored the weather and got on with doing good! In the news this week we said well done to the Great Bristol 10km crew and discussed the amazing Night of the PB's this Saturday - come along it's going to be awesome and FAST!

We welcomed three new people to GoodGym Camden; Callum, Sophia and Jessica - lovely to have you on board!

This week we had two of our regular tasks, Alara and Skip Garden, both with really tangible good to be done and a short run each way.

Skip Garden run report written by PB:

After an active warm up we said goodbye to Team Alara and the 12 of us did a fun game involving jogging, high-fiving and sprinting back in a square in pairs. Once our heart rate was raised we headed off to Skip Garden, past Granary Square and the Dishoom queue. We met Gwen from Global Generation and she explained our task for the evening; lay two tons of pebbles over the garden in preparation for summer events, including the chef's wedding on Saturday!

TWO TONS!

We shifted some wooden flooring and tables out of the way and then split into three teams: shovellers, movers and rakers. After around seven minutes work the team coordination and hard work was in full swing, however we had a turn of event... RAIN! It poured but we don't stop for anything, we laughed and powered on. I am pretty sure I heard Liz say "This is exactly what I want to do right now!". Also we found out Frances' waterproof coat isn't very waterproof, news to me!

Waterproof? What's that?

Back to the task; we worked our way from the garden entrance, passed the kitchen and to the skip laying the pebbles. Nice work everyone!

Alara run report written by Steve Lee:

While one team headed to the Skip Garden, another group made their way to the Suma urban orchard. It’s a delightful space unexpectedly nestled amongst warehouses including, very importantly, the one that makes their muesli, which the team gratefully received some freebies of at the end of the task. Speaking of which, there was a big ol’ hole to dig to create a new pond, and some weeds to clear to help the plants thrive. Steve C introduced the less experienced among us to a mattock masterclass.

Mattock Masterclass!

Separated by a mile or so, the two groups were united in seeking cover from a deluge before heading with soggy shoes but sunny dispositions to regroup at Granary Square for some time trials as the sun made a welcome comeback.

Time Trial:

Once collected back as a group we practiced our arm technique with SOCKET TO POCKET before heading to the starting line. The 850 metre time trial around Granary Square is a great way to test our speed each month and this month was no difference with Will coming in at 3:04, Bryon at 3:08 and Chris at 3.15. If you'd like to know your time just contact me and it'll be provided.

After catching our breath back we headed back to Somers Town Community Centre for a stretch and post-rain chat.

Next week we are off to Free Space Gallery to build garden beds, sign up here.

PB

3.5km for a sunset bonfire, weeding and wood cracking.

We welcomed a couple more new faces to the GG Southwark fold tonight and some old faces that we'd missed. After a quick GG intro, we set off up the familiar hill of Chadwick Road to Grove Park Allotments and to meet Lizzie. She already had a good fire going and lots of different tasks for us to get stuck into.

The optional task of bursting through the bonfire smoke in a Stars in their eyes manner may have occurred more than once.

(Watch this space for a karaoke social!) We were weeding the paths to widen them for wheelchair access, watering plants and clearing dead wood either into the fire or to dry for one of the allotment users wood burner. Sorting the thorny bits from the non-thorny bits was a bit haphazard but we survived relatively unscathed.

Once we'd finished up, it was another skipping warm up special as we made our way to Warwick Park for some glute work to finish off the session.

Hopping, clam walks and frog leaps were the order of the evening. This, in hindsight, was a little mean given two of our group had spent the previous days travelling back to the UK after epic trips. Nonetheless, the drills were finished with finesse and we ambled back in the final light of the day. Lovely.