Ivy choked plums

This week saw 16 runners breeze up to Grove Park Allotments for some path clearing, Ivy ripping out and Ash Tree hacking.

We welcomed Tarryn, Liz, Josephine, Elsa and Fiona along for their first taster of GoodGym and they all got stuck in. A quick warm up and headcount with names and we were on our way. It's a short run up to Grove Park Allotments with a consistent hill so great effort driving up and making it in a much warmer state than our chilly start.

Welcomed by the bobbing of Lizzie's torch

We soon got to work on 3 tasks... * Path clearing for wheelchair access so lots of raking through weeds and trying not to put too much soil into the wheelbarrow * Pulling out the Ivy from all of the undergrowth. Even in the winter, it's gone a bit nuts and taken hold so needs controlling before the warmer weather arrives * Cutting the giant, old and dominant Ash Tree back without taking out one's own eyes or anyone elses

So 40 minutes to get it done and done we did. So much Ivy ready to dry out and be burnt. Fingers crossed we get invited back for another bonfire and can toast some marshmallows whilst working hard. We even managed to free the Plum Tree from the chokehold Ivy had on it.

Free the Plums!

The Ash Tree Hackers, AKA Michael and Fiona were epic in their sawing: the most dangerous job of the night with collapsed roots and flying branches.

Path clearing is tricksy and the harder task when it's dark and portable lights are limited but everyone committed to the cause and got stuck in so thank you as it's not the easiest of tasks.

As we were clearing up, we even found Donald Trump's wig... ahem, sorry, dried out artichoke hearts (see pics). Maybe he's secretly green fingered!

So... tidy up time and then a gentle warm up jog to Warwick Park.

Before a mini arm session, we had a quick game of bulldog... no army rolls this week but lots of commitment to catching people. In order to keep everyone warm, we got straight into arms... tricep dips followed by a jog to the bulldog safety zone and back. Then straight into press ups... and a jog out... repeat and then recovery run back to Old Spike for a final shoutout....

50 Deeds...

Big up to our regular runner Helena who has done 54 good deeds and counting. Thanks for all of your enthusiasm and planking prowess.

Great work everyone on turning up on such a chilly night... gardening and exercise done.