It may have been cold, our fingers may have been at risk of freezing and dropping off, and it definitely was pitch black for our outside task, but despite all that it still felt really good to be back running together for our first session of 2022!

We kicked off with a chat about our resolutions, all of which were very self improving. From setting parkrun PB targets, to learning more interesting things, to taking on a first half marathon and committing to not over-committing, the coming year is set to be a cracker.

We quickly set off for Harvard Hill Park, where we were met by one of the committee members of the Friends organisation who are working to make the public space more welcoming and beautiful. Grabbing our tools and bulbs we set off, and before long had formed a merry chain gang of trench diggers. Techniques varied wildly, and there may have been a few breaks to play on the swings, but before long we had dispatched the bags of hundreds of bulbs and stood back to proudly survey our work. And that was when we spotted it! The first stalks of the bulbs we had planted on our last visit cheerfully poking through the soil. Success!

On the way back we stopped for several fitness stations, a minute at a time, which not only kept us warm, but improved our endurance capacity. Next week we will have a run, but I'm just waiting for the task to be confirmed. In the meantime there is a lovely community mission on Saturday at Turnham Green, for which you can sign up here. Until then, happy running and keep warm!