22 runners cleared an allotment for an estate, filling 18 bags with green waste in 25 mins, and ran 4 x 400m at speed

We met on a cold crisp Monday night at the Arche Gallery as usual - the last of our November runs before we hit full on winter. Mark gave us some tips about staying warm, and not freezing along the way. Jogging on the spot and high knees were a good solution.

The plan was to run to Rectory Road in Stoke Newington to clear a patch of overgrown allotment. We were to run the same route there and back, with bursts of intervals on the return.

"Hidden"

So we set off, lead by the enthusiastic Alison and Pete. A good fast pace. We ran along a quiet Broadway Market and into London Fields, careful to avoid high-speed cyclists, and out the other side, up along Amhurst Road onto Rectory Road.

We entered into the allotment through a small door, hidden from the outside by garage doors. Although dark, we could see a strip of overgrown bushy allotment running along the back of the houses. Our task was to clear a patch about the size of a large living room.

"To the brim"

The patch was completely overgrown with weeds, thistles, and bushes. It seemed like a tough task to get done in 25 minutes. We set to work with gloves and forks, pulling out the weeds and packing the debris into green recycling bags. To our surprise, we cleared the space remarkably quickly and filled 18 bags to the brim. Job well done.

"Raise the heatbeat"

Satisfied with our handy work, we head off back, this time stopping and starting to do 400 meter intervals. There’s nothing like a good interval to raise the heartbeat. We kept up a fast pace, and before we knew it we were feeling out of breath and warmed up. Soon we were back at the Arches, stretching our limbs and brushing the mud off our shorts – another GoodGym well done.

Hannah Mayer