It was split task night tonight in Kingston on our 4 month Goodgym runnerversary! Before getting off to our good task we had some warming up to do in preparation. A great warm up of our core through the lowering and raising of planks while a partner jogged the perimeter of the Guildhall was set after our stretches. I was also reacquainted with my quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and glutes as they all wobbled in the wall sit to build isometric strength and endurance. Following the warm up we all ran off, enthusiastic about our route through the beautiful sunset in Bushy Park mapped out by Mark. After a little jog through the park to catch the views, we pulled a quick turn to head back over the bridge again. Shortly after getting back to the green of the riverfront path we arrived at Canbury Community Gardens – the first of our task locations. Here we waved on our more energetic half that were ready to carry on the next task.

Warming up....a bunch of planks?? pic.twitter.com/dkZnFe8xOO

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) September 4, 2018

With nine keen runners left at Canbury Community Gardens we set to work with the task of moving the mounds of mulch without making mountains out of mulch hills. With minimal mucking about we got stuck in. There was some discussion of the catch up possibilities of the Bake Off we’d miss out on telly while we were having a rake off instead! We were tooled with shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and sacks to move the mulch into the chicken coop that we’d helped to set up on a previous group run. There were various items unearthed in the mulch as plastic, nails, bricks and planks of wood were pulled from the piles while we dug in. Shovel me timbers! We stayed focused on the task and didn’t get discouraged. When we hit a stumbling block we managed to rake it off and move on! Back to our partnering-up team work, one in a pair held the sack while the other shoveled the mulch into it and joined forces to haul our load into the coup. We were having bags of fun and couldn’t sack it off! With the help of Anna from the Community Garden, the coop mulch was raked out. Rake me out and let the compost see the heap! When push came to shovel, we’d worked faster than we’d realised and were told to wheel the mulch elsewhere once the coop had enough! Everywhere we’re shoveling! Our last job was to clear the gutters around the shed of the pile-up of leaves and the rake came in handy once again. Unfortunately we’d then run out of time! We were guttered to have to leaf so soon! Thankfully a pub social with baked goods, Nicky and Paddington awaited us on our return!

#goodgym we keep going and going and going until a task is done! #volunteering #canburygardens #kingston #samaritans #runninggroupdoinggood pic.twitter.com/BRchGt3BcR

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) September 4, 2018

Before the remaining six goodgymers could receive a paw shake from Paddington they had to deliver on their task at the Samaritans, running ahead of the Canbury Gardens group they were greeted by Helen at the Kingston branch of Samaritans to plant Heather and Cyclamn (no these weren't 2 new runners) but instead some beautiful new plants to spruce up the area outside the office. Before this could be tackled though lots of lavender that had taken over the flower bed needed to be hacked back so there was room for growth. Great team work meant that the flower bed was cleared in no time! The plants were then delicately arranged (thanks to Nicky O lanscaping and design) before they were planted (some better at this than others!) Leaves were also swept and the white paint on the office front shone in the looming darkness after it was wiped down with water and suds.

don't LEAF it messy #doinggood #volunteering pic.twitter.com/SnnJjgnyvi

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) September 4, 2018

Sweep it or LEAF it! pic.twitter.com/4IOb6OjuaF

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) September 4, 2018

Following a full night of fitness and good deeds we even managed to squeeze in a drink and a bite to eat in the pub to celebrate Kingston GoodGym running for over 4 months.

Looking forward to more action next week