We set off north from the Arch Gallery for a change – north, and headed straight at the set of yellow grey clouds looming (and rumbling) ominously. Still, last week we’d had to run in a heat wave, we reasoned to ourselves with stoic British attitude towards the weather.

With raindrops dotting the route, the run took us on veritable hipster trail - along by the canal, through Broadway Market and London Fields and then up in to Hackney Downs. Distributing GoodGym flyers to confused men in beards and plaid as we ran we ended up at a local estate’s set of allotments. Half were already growing impressive looking squash, sweet pea and beetroot (I’ll admit that’s about all I could recognise), the other half were dense with long grass and brambles and in need of some TLC. We set to work clearing the path and the first of the overgrown allotments to make them ready and inviting for new allotment keepers.

"dense with long grass and brambles and in need of some TLC"

Along the way we discovered all sorts of treasure – from water pistols to a toy dinosaur – the latter inspiring an informative (distinctly male) conversation on what exactly constituted a dinosaur. Apparently if they could fly or swim: NOT a dinosaur.

Informed, and with a considerably clearer set of allotments behind us, we set back off to the Arch Gallery base. Due to space constraints we found ourselves doing our stretches in its window exhibition space whilst Mark led us from the pavement, as yet more confused men in beards walked past wondering just what this GoodGym malarkey exactly was.

"more confused men in beards walked past wondering just what this GoodGym malarkey exactly was"

Alison Harvie