The un-pallet-able truth about GoodGym

The unpalatable truth about GoodGym is that sometimes it's dark, cold, muddy, and you've quite possibly had showers where you didn't get as wet as we did last night, but the number of happy smiling faces on the way home said it was all worth it!

27 runners ran 8km to help get an allotment ready for Growing Better

Tonight was the first real test for GoodGym Leeds. It was properly dark, the forecast had long been warning of rain, and it was a longer run which could have put some people off. We needn't have worried! An AMAZING 27 of you turned up to brave the elements, and prove that GoodGymmers do good whatever the weather.

An especially big welcome is deserved for the 7 new runners who chose tonight for their first experience of GoodGym. Eleanor, Fleur, Dave, Dominic,Alice, Anna, and Alastair all deserve a massive cheer! A big thanks also needs to go to the GoodGym York crew for their support.

After a quick Big Wave warm-up (that will definitely be getting another airing as you lot need the practice), we set of down towards the canal, with Heather doing a great job of leading us out and keeping the group together, and Rachel making sure nobody was left behind. Great job guys!

We arrived at West Leeds Activity Centre where Dorota seemed amazed that we'd even turned up with all the rain! We headed across the very slippy (this will be important later) field to the allotment, where Dorota gave the group a bit of a run down of some of the tasks we could complete, and a brief overview of what the allotment would be used for.

"We're planning to use the allotment as a community space so people can come in and use it, and also for people with learning difficulties and mental health challenges as a safe space in nature" Dorota, Task Owner, Growing Better.

Having seen the huge allotment space, the task was to create a barrier around the edge with pallets, to stop brambles from encroaching on the allotment, and do a little bit of tidying up of the small orchard on the edge of the allotment. While a group headed back to pick up some tools, everyone else arranged the pallets around the edge of the allotment. It was slow going moving across the very wet and muddy field to collect the tools, so the group started some impromptu squats and lunges to keep warm.

The tools arrived, and the team got to work. Between the crew, it was decided the best plan of action was to dig a shallow trench so we could slot the pallets in and then stamp down the soil around them to hold them in place. Apparently this level of complex work was all too much for one GoodGym tourist, showing that not all Yorkshire GoodGyms are created equal.

"I'm not used to having to think this much!" Mitch, GoodGym York Run Leader

Everyone made great progress despite the rain and soon it all started to take shape. A small group of would-be interior (or should that be exterior) designers decided that we absolutely needed a threshold to mark the entrance to the allotment and found the perfect sized piece. Fabulous.

With the barrier in place, and a little much needed trimming in-between the trees of the orchard, there was just time for a picture of handiwork before we headed back. A few were worried that in the light our work might not look so impressive, but you've got to admire the confidence of those who dream bigger...

"It's like the Great Wall of GoodGym!" Rachel, GG Leeds

There's absolutely loads we can get involved with so there's a good chance we'll be back to finish of the job and get involved in some other tasks at the absolutely huge space they have. If we go back in the summer, there will also definitely be the opportunity to have a go on the incredible assault course!

We all headed back to base, with two runners swapping stories of how they managed to end up completely covered in mud in the aforementioned slippery field, with a lucky few at the front of the group spotting a fox happily trotting along.

A few quick stretches followed back at base, along with some drinks and cakes to celebrate Aron's 50th Good Deed.

Great work everybody!