Starter for 10 (plus another 6)

It all started at 08.30 this morning. Beth and Simon were first to arrive at Highbury Fields ready for some parkrun volunteering barcode scanning duties. Soon to follow for the run itself were first-time GoodGymmer Monika (also a first-time parkrunner), Islington regulars Steve, Patrick M, Julia, Caroline, Megan and Nic and Haringey tourist Dave.

Everybody put in a great effort and loads of parkrunners were keen to find out more about GoodGym, so hopefully should be seeing a few of them on a Monday evening soon. Thanks to Martin and the other volunteers today for mentioning GoodGym and letting us hand out a few flyers.

A few runners forgot their barcodes (oops), but still got a great run in. Check out the results here

Now, for some 5k's not enough on a Saturday morning and they were keen to continue to the day's good deed. We were joined by more first-timers Georgina, Karoon and Graham and a few other regulars (some looking a little worse for wear).

It was starting to warm up, but just to make sure everybody was raring to go we performed some of the famous "alien circuits" on the fields (news: Megan discovered that the "alien pods" are designed so that people can lounge around amongst the long grass in the summer without it getting everywhere. Still probably aliens that did it though). Press ups (wahoo), squats (yeyeyye) and burpees (Noooooooo!) were the prescription.

Breathing slightly more heavily it was time to head off for the 1.5k jog to Barnsbury Community Centre to help out with their greenspace project - implementing a UCL-designed community garden round the back of the centre.

When we got there everything seemed OK. We got in the front door without any problems, the main hall wasn't being used so we could get through to the gardens without issue, there were spades, forks and wheelbarrows ready for us, and everything looked ready in the garden. Then we tried to open the padlock to the back gate. The key fit, but it wouldn't shift. After a fair old struggle Simon asked "Anybody got any WD40?" For some reason that he never really explained Patrick L had some. Maybe he's not crazy. See here

It loosened the lock a treat (Joke for the over 35s: my sister got a peanut stuck up her nose once - we gave her some chocolate and it came out a treat). We were in!

Paul kept the group busy with a fun relay around the gardens while a few of us gathered tools.

The job for the afternoon was shifting lots and lots of soil. A large circular area in the centre of the garden had recently been dug out (partly by GoodGymmers on a previous week) and our job was to re-fill it with lovely top soil and get rid of the nasty old rocky gravelly stuff.

We set to work with wheelbarrows, spades, forks and hand tools and all was going swimmingly until the wheel fell off one of the wheelbarrows. Damn! If only we had a spanner. Oh, Patrick's got a spanner. Of course he did. Back to it then.

When each sack was nearly empty we adopted the "drag the whole thing" technique. Check out the photos. Don't we look strong?

After working hard for 40 minutes we'd managed to empty two gigantic sacks of the soil and spread it nice and evenly. Don't worry, we stopped for the obligatory biscuit which was well received by all (especially Caroline who'd been enquiring since 9am) except Beth who looked a little disappointed that they were milk rather than plain chocolate. Still had one though.

There was only one way to finish off - with Emma's superb suggestion of a wheelbarrow race. We paired up and raced from one side of the garden to the other - switching roles half way. Nic and Karoon destroyed the rest of the field. And it was a surprisingly good workout, so watch out for more of the same.

Thirsty work! that's alright, there's a kitchen here. Oh... (see pics)

We always have a friendly debate in Islington and a starter session is no exception. Today's question: "Where's the best place to run in London". We had a few cries of "Islington, of course" - including along Parkland Walk. Ealing common, Lee valley canals, Regent's Park, Hampstead Heath and Hackney also got votes.

Post-task and a quick stretch a few of us decided we needed a pint - or at last some grub so headed over to 'spoons for some microwaved burgers. And post-pub Paul, Patrick and Beth decided they hadn't done quite enough and headed off for a mission. Rock 'n' Roll.

What a day. Great first sessions for Karoon, Monika, Graham and Georgina and the usual good-doing wonderness from the regulars.

See you all soon. Monday in fact.

Simon