Duathlon Diggers

5 runners ran 10k to work out for local community

"the best I've ever had"

Last night's run was the best I've ever had with the GoodGym. I got home at the end of it buzzing and beaming. We completed 2 tasks (shifted 1 tonne of compost and half a tonne of mulch) at 2 different sites (2 miles apart) and ran 6 miles in 90 minutes.

The weather was perfect, and we all arrived geared up for some serious running and physical action. It was lovely to meet Simon for the first time, who found us through Hackney CVS, and we were joined by the fearless Jasmine, Ziad and Jenny.

"we warmed up in the cosy cafe"

With no time to spare, we warmed up in the cosy cafe as we talked through the strategy to achieve both tasks (with 5 runners) and the route to and between them. We set off spot on 7pm and darted to our first task 2 miles away in Stoke Newington. We'd helped Alex, from GetGrowing UK, the week before so she was ready and waiting for us with shovels, forks and wheelbarrows. We set ourselves a strict 20 minutes to complete the task - to shift compost from large delivery bags in the street to the emerging allotment in the middle of the estate and storage space behind the community centre opposite.

With quick hands and strong arms we cracked on, finished the task and ran onto the second site - 2 miles away in Upper Clapton. Despite the urgency, we all felt relaxed and buoyant with energy to chat. The long run gave us chance to catch up on summer antics and new work and fitness plans..there was talk about Tough Mudder, training for marathons, feeling fitter and stronger..The new route, refreshing drops and banter propelled us happily along residential streets.

"inject some welcome energy"

We met very tired urban farmers at the Patchwork Farm in St Matthew's Church gardens. They'd been working on the site, moving the mulch delivered, since 8.30am that morning! They were so pleased to see us. So while they tidied up we were able to inject some welcome energy into another 20 minutes of hard graft. We used forks to lift the mulch, for paths in the growing space, into wheels barrows before driving them move up the gentle slope to the site.

It was done in no time, and it was good to see a Patchwork farm set up and growing salad (we've been working with other less developed Patchwork farms in the area).

"speeding through the city"

Following a catch up with the farmers, our mission was to race back to London Fields - reaching our start point by 8.30pm. We took turns to lead the way, running comfortable 8/8.5 minute miles. We took a faster more direct route back through Clapton and Hackney Central - pausing, begrudgingly, for traffic lights. It felt great to be speeding through the city with my fellow GoodGymers. It felt even better knowing we'd also tackled and finished 2 tasks - helping groups to move on.

Training run done, tasks done and dreaming of a GoodGym penthathlon….

Ade Aboaba (GoodGym Hackney Trainer)