Staff at the Leicestershire Partnership Trust at the NHS have acquired their own bit of private space for stressbusting chillouts at the Valentine Centre.

Our task tonight was to unpack some garden furniture, build a blanket box, generally tidy and sweep up and do some tree pruning - Oh, and there was a particular nasty smokers area that needed a good clean up.

With task being too far for most to get to in time we agreed on a shortcut start for all but me and Carlos - a boiling hot half marathon still in my legs from Saturday I struggled with the climb up Hinckley Rd but I was keen not to be too much of a wimp alongside a hero who has just done a 50k trail run in the Italian Dolomites.

As we waited to leave the New Parks Leisure Centre we witnessed the worst side of modern driving - a car park crunch and the villian driving away at speed so as not to be brought to book - we werent quick enough to get a number so lets hope the CCTV comes up trumps.

A short jog along New Parks Way and we arrived at the Valentine Centre. Mel had gone ahead with a car full of tools and Rachel had gone direct having been delayed at work.

I explained the task and the group just got one with it. Jim and Rach made up the box - which Lindsay promptly sat in!! Michaela and Nicola - fair play to them - got stuck into the filthy task of clearing up the cigarette ends. Ben and Lindsay broke down the cardboard surrounding the new bench and Carlos set to with the loppers trimming the low branches from the overhanging trees.

As usual the group went over and above the remit, there was no stopping Carlos and his loppers and soon Lindsay and Nicola were in on the act carrying the clippings to a neat pile for subsequent disposal. Ben did a very thorough job of sweeping the rest area and organising the furniture. Jim also siezed the opportunity to clear the slabs of moss.

With a nice flat area of yard in front of us we went through a series of running drills - dont forget to incorporate some of these into your warm ups - at least once a week.

Keep an eye out on the Facebook page for whats happening next week