Getting to the root of it

Today, with a motley crew of 6, we ran 1.87miles there and back to grove park allotments and threw in a time trial on the Rye to finish off with.

As ever, we met at Old Spike to the scent of roasting coffee beans and engine oil ready for our run. After a quick intro and a recap of Run Hackney - and no we still haven't totally uncrisped - we warmed up outside and set off up Chadwick Road's not so sneaky hill. The rains had stopped so we were able to meet Liz at the allotments in the sunshine.

She had lots of tasks that we could be getting on with and started off explaining how the shed needed a re-jig so that users could access the tools more easily and everything be in a slight sense of order. First timer Mariam along with Beth and Joelle set to work adding a bit of feng shui and ruthlessness to the space. Matt and Olive set to work clearing the paths of all of the weeds and grass that had overgrown.

There was also a spot of bug hunting. Apparently, asparagus bugs lay their eggs in the plants and makes them weaklings the following season. We captured the red and black bugs, who were very happy using each other to build rafts across water, for Lizzie to re-home.

After a bit more weeding, some serious patting down of soil and a quick clear up (the shed really was much more organised), we set off back down the hill.

After escaping the time trial 2 weeks ago, it was time. Brilliant first times for Matt, Joelle and Mariam and congratulations to Olive who just keeps getting faster.

A walking stretch and we were done. Lots more exciting runs and tasks in the following weeks. GoodGym Southwark in the summer is on fire!