17 very sweaty GoodGymers ran 5k to help two Eco Active community gardens by shovelling, raking and sieving our way to glory.

On a tropical night in H Town there was a huge sense of relief that the furious Thunderstorms of the afternoon had subsided. The extra calories being burnt in the almost tropical conditions only added to the awesome workout!

We set off to explore some new Hackney back streets are we weaved our way to the eastern tip of Hackney. We stopped for a dynamic warm up and lower body conditioning after a little pulse raiser. Got everyone walking like ducks on our tip toes before dancing our way through a few rounds of the leg sapping box lunges. Keeping a steady pace we worked our way the just over 2.5k to the Kingsmead estate.

We were met by the guys from Eco Active where we fully tooled up and got to work! 4 tonnes of shingle was no match for the Team Hackney energy! In 20 minutes of incredible shovelling, raking and bag flipping action we had dominated the first task by levelling the ground of the garden so that people with mobility issues can now move freely around the space.

Not content with that the Team raced over to Patty's garden to hear some more amazing stories and sieve away all the stones from the main flower bed, while April got to work removing a very mean looking plant and the Root squad made another effort to free some of the deepest most clingy roots in all of Hackney.

Soon our time was up, aided by some amazing refreshments from Eco Active we ran off into the warm summers night. With the Sexy crew gaining a significant lead as the Speedies carried back the tools the race back to base was on! A top shift was put in by all on the slightly uphill return both groups arrived back almost together!!

A few static stretches and the obligatory ballet turn saw is finish off a very warm, successful and satisfying evenings action!

A lot of talk about races this week if anyone is after a little advise on good races just let me know!

Next week we are off to Bootstrap to get our paint on!! Be great to have you along for a fun task, please sign up here. As a special treat we will be heading out for our monthly social to get a drink and a bite or two to eat. Always fun and be awesome to have you along!!

Thursday sees the start of GoodGym London Running Fitness session in Lincon's inn field near Holborn. Be great if you would like to join me for some fitness fun! Sign up here.

Smooth striding

Joel