exhausting, but fun

I’ve been friends with Mark Herbert, the enthusiastic run leader, for a number of years; but after 18months of false promises and idleness, I undertook my first GoodGym experience last night.

We met at The Redbrick Warehouse off Hackney Road, a former industrial unit reborn as an ambitious architect’s playground. The smell of freshly cut plywood, scaffold and timber decor suggest the Warehouse serves half a dozen new and exciting functions.

After a few quick introductions, a H&S briefing on the impending back hazard and a 60s warm- up, we were off. The task was to jog 3.3km to the Cre8 Centre in Hackney Wick to rip-up turf reinforcement for future site development. This is particularly stubborn product that glues grass to the earth with incredible resistance, taking the strength of 2-3 runners to dislodge a single tile. The work is dirty, unpleasant, exhausting, but fun; your fellow joggers bring a sense of comradeship and teamwork, and there’s real satisfaction in collective struggle.

For me the experience was surreal, running through east London in the snow to carryout a worthwhile task with 20 friendly strangers. It’s the brilliant attitude of organisers and joggers that make this venture not only possible, but enjoyable.

After 40mins of turf ripping, there was quick stretch before the return jog. I arrived back steaming like a broken van in the cold air, tired but content. It certainly beats your average trip to the gym - See you next week.