It's Raining Cats and Dogweed

10 GoodGymers ran 5km to St Nick's to dig up dogweed from an area it wasn't supposed to be, before planting it elsewhere to make a hedgerow.

After welcoming new runners Melissa and Maddy, we left the Premier Inn and managed our whole warm up whilst waiting for the lights to change at Micklegate Bar, much to the amusement of the three blokes sat in the pub watching and raising their pints to us.

Aron led us from the front, skirting the castle walls. On arrival at St Nick's, we were met by the Nature Reserve Manager, Jonathan who set us our challenge.

"Dogweed has suckers and grows new shoots rapidly, we want to dig up a load of plants that have self-sown and replant it in a better place to make a hedgerow which would be great for encouraging wildlife."

Armed with spades of the regular and pointy variety, the crew set to work. Dogweed - it turns out - is a persistent little blighter but that made for an awesome workout with some seriously deep squat and pull action going on throughout. In 15 minutes we had not only worked up a sweat but with a good bit of teamwork, had around 20 plants pulled out and loaded onto the wheelbarrows.

"It's a really good group, great quality! You can get loads done in a short amount of time" - Jonathan

Next up it was time to clamber over the fence and dig holes to plant the dogweed, in just ten minutes we had everything planted which left us with just enough time to celebrate.

How do we celebrate at GoodGym York? With lunges of course! ..and a wee bit of plymometric jumping around fun to throroughly warm us up as the cold rain set in.

Aron led us back to base where Egg ensured everyone was nicely stretched out. We will return to St Nick's for more tasks in the coming months so we'll get to see our hedgerow growing too!