Can you dig it?!

9 GoodGym heroes ran 1.5k to a community garden, cleared a messy patch of soil, then ran back

A return visit to Mobile Garden City was our Mid-March Wednesday treat. Greeted at the Aquatics centre with healthy GoodGym numbers, numbers that I hope blossom and grow in sync the imminent British Spring. New runner Matt joined us for the first time, Hin rejoined us after after battling illness and Nadya managed to return after some 'hard uni work' (I understand this means wild partying - nice).

After the the short journey to our task location, we tried not to be too conspicuous. Peter unlocked the padlock by reaching his hand over the large wooden gate and seemingly resting his face on a rough wooden post, cheek splinters are not of concern to this man.

We opened the shipping container (we may have struggled a tiny little bit the week before) with consummate ease. Instructions lay inside, anticipating their reading upon our arrival. Two tasks were offered, we picked the harder and dirtier option. Crack on we did.

A deceivingly large amount of soil required shifting, to be wheel-barrowed to the other side of the gardens, then bagged- to nourish future plants (maybe plantations...). Jane and Matt took control of the transportation side of things, as they covered ground with speed. Everyone else dug hard and dug deep (literally and figuratively), the thick soil wasn't budging easy, but GoodGym Newham's indomitable spirit was evident. Some soil smashing from Sarah was indicative of this, improvising and finding new tactics. Though momentarily, it just looked like she hated soil.

We managed to shift about a third of the soil and then skipped on back base. I put the guys through a 'crank up' session. Where you run outwards for 10secs more than you run back. Requiring you to crank your pace up and make up 10secs on your return leg. Very useful pacing work and helpful for finishing speed. Everyone executed this superbly. You'll be fitter for it - that's a promise!

ps. Run Hackney, are we all confirmed?! Very confident you can all do it, please speak to me about training if you have any concerns. Check it out on GoodGym website. Sign up, sign up.

Catch you next week guys

B