20 runners ran 4km and helped both Alara and Skip Garden

It was a rainy humid day but we ignored the weather and got on with doing good! In the news this week we said well done to the Great Bristol 10km crew and discussed the amazing Night of the PB's this Saturday - come along it's going to be awesome and FAST!

We welcomed three new people to GoodGym Camden; Callum, Sophia and Jessica - lovely to have you on board!

This week we had two of our regular tasks, Alara and Skip Garden, both with really tangible good to be done and a short run each way.

Skip Garden run report written by PB:

After an active warm up we said goodbye to Team Alara and the 12 of us did a fun game involving jogging, high-fiving and sprinting back in a square in pairs. Once our heart rate was raised we headed off to Skip Garden, past Granary Square and the Dishoom queue. We met Gwen from Global Generation and she explained our task for the evening; lay two tons of pebbles over the garden in preparation for summer events, including the chef's wedding on Saturday!

TWO TONS!

We shifted some wooden flooring and tables out of the way and then split into three teams: shovellers, movers and rakers. After around seven minutes work the team coordination and hard work was in full swing, however we had a turn of event... RAIN! It poured but we don't stop for anything, we laughed and powered on. I am pretty sure I heard Liz say "This is exactly what I want to do right now!". Also we found out Frances' waterproof coat isn't very waterproof, news to me!

Waterproof? What's that?

Back to the task; we worked our way from the garden entrance, passed the kitchen and to the skip laying the pebbles. Nice work everyone!

Alara run report written by Steve Lee:

While one team headed to the Skip Garden, another group made their way to the Suma urban orchard. It’s a delightful space unexpectedly nestled amongst warehouses including, very importantly, the one that makes their muesli, which the team gratefully received some freebies of at the end of the task. Speaking of which, there was a big ol’ hole to dig to create a new pond, and some weeds to clear to help the plants thrive. Steve C introduced the less experienced among us to a mattock masterclass.

Mattock Masterclass!

Separated by a mile or so, the two groups were united in seeking cover from a deluge before heading with soggy shoes but sunny dispositions to regroup at Granary Square for some time trials as the sun made a welcome comeback.

Time Trial:

Once collected back as a group we practiced our arm technique with SOCKET TO POCKET before heading to the starting line. The 850 metre time trial around Granary Square is a great way to test our speed each month and this month was no difference with Will coming in at 3:04, Bryon at 3:08 and Chris at 3.15. If you'd like to know your time just contact me and it'll be provided.

After catching our breath back we headed back to Somers Town Community Centre for a stretch and post-rain chat.

Next week we are off to Free Space Gallery to build garden beds, sign up here.

PB