Going Commando

30 runners ran between 4-11k to help out 2 groups in Camden.

We came we ran we conquered....or words to that effect. On tonight's run we had 2 jobs - one of which involved a commando style 11k carrying sacks of compost. Here's Pritesh's long run reportage;

Weirdly this week more people wanted to go long than short and so a big group of us set off for Camley Street for step 1 of our task. Paul was nominated as group leader and duly had no idea where he was going, after a bit of discussion we waited for the other group to set off and we were on our way.

Step 1: All aboard the compost train…

A short run took us to Camley Street Compost Hub, a local initiative to allow free access to compost for locals (http://goo.gl/KQdoML) - just in case here is a webcam of the compost pile! (http://goo.gl/C8g5yo). With everyone loaded up with compost in rucksacks and bin bags we were good to go. Once again we showed our navigations ‘skills’ and had to stop for a quick sat nav conference but were soon on our way!

Step 2: Along the canal, through the market and a long and winding road to Abbey Road…

We split into two groups and headed to the canal, a quick map check and off we went. Despite the map checks we missed our exit from the canal but with a quick detour through Camden market we were on our way again! Both groups kept up a good pace and we were soon crossing Abbey Road (unfortunately not at the zebra crossing) and headed to Abbey Community Centre (http://goo.gl/zUWnM1).

**Step 3: Abbey community centre and hill running home!

At the community centre we were met by Laura who was amazed at the number of runners and incredibly grateful for the amount of compost we had brought with us. Due to some issues at the centre they no longer have access to a car to be able to get the compost for themselves so this was essential help for them. Laura showed us around a little and then with the compost delivered and everyone refreshed we were ready to head back to base. As a little ‘treat’ for everyone I decided we should head back to Somers Town via Primrose Hill - amazingly no one put up any protest to this (perhaps they didn't hear me) and after a hard slog up the hill we were rewarded with the treat of ‘that view’! With a quick breather at the top of the hill we then made our way back for a quick stretch down although Paul and Will - being particularly hardcore - went for a blast down the canal before heading home.

A great night was had by all - a really great task, and a really good run. After this a few of us headed to the pub for a cool down drink (where we ended up seeing David Mitchell - although we didn’t get him to join goodgym…yet!)

The other group ran to St Pancras Church on the Euston Road. We were helping in the Church Gardens. The garden is usually managed by a Audrey but she struggles to cover a number of church gardens in the area. If we can give her a hand with the big tasks then she can get on with the job of beautifying the beds!

Time Team Garden challenge

We split into 2 teams, each covering an area of the garden. It was a bit of a race- trying to see how could cover the tasks before the other. There was a fair bit to do, and we were low on tools (using a hoe to break up and spread soil is pretty hard!) but we smashed it. The team in the front garden just about took the honours- spreading a sack of woodchip, shifted two big bags of leaves aaaaaaand spreading soil all the way along the beds in the time it took the back times to spread two huge sacks of soil all away round beds roughly the size of 2 London Buses.... all in a all we covered a shed load of work.

Russell Square Laps

We headed down to Russell Square on the way home- getting the opportunity to have a bit of a practise with our gears and pace, finishing off with some bench exercises. Girls definitely outshone the boys in the CORE exercises.

Next week we are off to a regular haunt- helping local man Jon transform the gardens on the estate he lives on.