This was Goodgym Islington's first visit to Market Road Gardens (aka Lumpy Hill Adventure Playground, aka Hayward Adventure Playground- the site seems to have many names!), but definitely one we will return to soon! The play centre next to Caledonian Park is looked after by Octopus Communities, and the site and gardens are currently being updated to improve access for disabled guests. Goodgym Islington were recommended to Octopus by the Friends of Caledonian Park, as they were really impressed with our contribution to their potential junior parkrun course!

17 hard working Goodgymmers helped out tonight (some joined us at the task), including new member Simon- welcome!

As our task location was relatively close to our start point, we decided to play a warm-up game before heading out. We all lined up halfway up the slope outside Emirates Stadium, and ran up and down the hill. As the runners returned to the starting line, they were handed a playing card and instructed to perform the following exercise depending on what they picked:

HEARTS: 10 star jumps DIAMONDS: 10 squats CLUBS: 10 lunges (5 on each leg) SPADES: 10 "open/close gates" (5 on each leg) JACK, QUEEN, KING (ROYALTY): 5 squat jumps

One the exercise has been completed, the runner leaves the card in the box supplied, and runs another repeat. We run this for approximately 5 minutes before setting off to the task.

For our count-off, we asked our Goodgymmers what their favourite traditional game was (in keeping with the inclusion of a pack of cards to our warm-up). Some answers included:

• Ludo
• Scrabble
• Articulate
• Hide & Seek
• Bananagrams
• Chess
• Monopoly
• Taboo
• Phase 10

Market Road Gardens and Hayward Adventure Playground

We arrived at the gates to the playground in good time, and met with Franie, the lead volunteer organiser, who insisted that we continue jogging on the spot during her introduction! We split our group up into different teams, to attack each corner of the space.

Team 1 grabbed wheel barrows and loaded them up with concrete dust from a large pile at the top of the gardens. The barrows were then taken down to another spot, and deposited onto a muddy pathway to create a safe walkway for guests. This was a decent slope and a pretty good workout! Our Goodgymmers took it in turns to shovel the loose material, and to roll the barrows up and down hill.

Team 2 raked up leaves from the paths and around the entrance to the gardens. The leaves and greenery were then placed into some recycled shopping trolleys, and wheeled to a composting bin on the opposite side of the park.

We did an amazing amount of work in one single evening- the gardens were transformed within approximately 35 minutes. Amazing job, guys!

NEWS!

Mini Mermaids Running Club x Goodgym - Highbury Fields parkrun Takeover

Mini Mermaids Running Club is an amazing charity set-up to encourage girls under the age 11 to engage in phyiscal activity and exercise in fun and engaging ways. Goodgym have been invited to help the Mini Mermaids to complete their 5km challenge (each of the girls have worked towards this over 8 weeks) at Highbury Fields parkrun on Saturday 7th December.

We are looking for:

parkrun Volunteers- Goodgymmers willing to marshal, cheer, support and help with the general running of parkrun from the sidelines. Or to come and run and represent Goodgym!

Sign up here for more details.

Goodgym Islington Christmas Pizza and Drinks

Book this in your diary!

After our task on 9th December, we will be going straight to Zia Lucia on Holloway Road for a meal and good times before we part ways before our Christmas Break. Chosen by popular demand, Zia Lucia does some of the best pizza in Islington (Goodgym Guarantee!).

Sign up to confirm your place here!