Tuesday 15th April 2014
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27 people ran 7km to workout for local community group
Cordwainers Garden was set up by a group of neighbours on a disused (or, rather, abused by dog walkers, drunks and flashers) piece of land belonging to the London College of Fashion in Hackney. We now have sixteen small allotments, a pond, a beehive and a dye bed and have regular open garden events. Our aims are to use the land to raise fruit, vegetables, dye plants, flowers and other things beneficial to wildlife, the environment and the local community.
So for us, this meant a nip around the corner from our starting point, Coffee Is My Cup of Tea, on Mentmore Terrace. The shortest run yet perhaps? Kirsty, the volunteer gardener hosting us, didn't know what hit her when 27 eager, buzzing runnings emerged onto the L-shaped plot of land that surrounds the college. We were also taken aback to discover the site; never knew this little gem lived behind the college's tall brick wall. Cordwainers volunteers have already done wonders to the space and transformed it into a bright growing haven, off the hustle and bustle of Mare Street.
A little runner heavy and tool light, two teams went about digging up a grassed area to make way for a poppy field. The other team grabbed wheel barrels and large bags to fill and carry mulch to the rear of the garden to improve an existing path around the allotments and shed. After a serious 30 minutes of shovelling, digging, lifting, dragging and raking we downed tools and re-warmed for the run back to London Fields.
6 x 1km laps at Gear 3/4 with 10 long deep breathes as recovery.
These sessions can sometimes feel daunting at the start. People always look at me like 'Really - I don't think!?'. But, in no time, and with the support of the group, you've killed the laps wondering what all the fuss was about. The lap also provided different terrain - mulch, grass and bouncy-ish tarmac. You couldn't call them hills, but there were also couple of short inclines for runners to go at - with improved arm swing and leg cycling!
Each couple boxed off lap by lap, arriving back at the start point breathing heavily with eyes wide in disbelief at their achievement. Dan inspired the cool down tonight, and we went through a series of yoga-esque stretches on the grass by the playground - taking advantage of the evening light. A short brisk walk back to base, left us feeling exercised, energised and well stretched, ready for that next run!
Hackney
Help Hackney’s young people do some fun exercise on a Sunday morning