A rainy forecast wasn’t going to stop GoodGym Newham on Wednesday evening as 6 of us met at the Print House for the all important pre task briefing and safety reminders before heading to regular task Abbey Gardens.

The gardens want to be as sustainable and self sufficient as possible, and part of that is managing and producing their own compost from any green waste, so we had a really important job of tackling a mountain of twigs and branches, removing the leaves (“de-leafing“) and breaking them down into smaller pieces so that they could go into the composters. Armed with various shears, loppers and gloves, we successfully avoided thorns and potential spiders to make a decent dent in the twig pile and top up the compost.

It was also great to see the new greenhouse they have put up on the space we cleared on a group run not so long ago, with Adam helping with the finishing touches by clearing some rogue brambles that had found their way into the back.

We debated this week’s random weekly question during the task - favourite pizza topping? A couple of classics with margheritas and meat feasts. Some international submissions including the double bacon cheeseburger pizza with extra brie (I think prawns were mentioned too…). Tuna seeded to be the overall winner though - give it a go if you haven’t tried it yet!

Luckily the rain didn’t start until just before we finished at the gardens, so we arrived back at the Print House relatively dry, completed all our cool down stretches, and celebrated with the signature post-run orange and lemonade (in slightly DIY fashion).

From next week GoodGym Newham will be moving to Tuesday night for our group runs, along with all our regular members we’re hoping to also see a few more faces both old and new who can make it on Tuesdays! Next week we’ll either be flyering or off to the allotments - details to follow, but sign up here and see you then.

The Fitness Session; some love it, some reluctantly oblige and some detest it, but we all get a physiological boost, and a dose of endorphines not found on an easy social jog, you got to earn that buzz baby.

We booted off proceedings with an ice breaker in the form "shite inventions?" inspired by a wifi secure tap I came across, what in the thames-water-tech-hell is that about? Non-waterproof plasters, command strips, hotel chocolates, hotel towels, hotel mini-mugs, wide section bike racks, two-tier bike racks and the plethora of iphone chargers.

We jogged down to the little park, or Three Mills Park, as Rosa corrected me, where we were to explore multiple running paces in the sticky evening air. 8 laps, about ninety second recovery after each - and an objective to only get faster. With a 4 rep practise, then an elimination for the second half to put some skin in the game.

Early reps nice and comfy, got a bit punchy by rep 2/3, before tapping back into a more reserved flow, and then cranking up the heat on the final 3. A great session that lends itself to a fast last lap, exactly where our man Euge muscled past me with tremendous power, where everyone dug in and nailed the finish. And a hats off to the Princes who kept the circuits alive energetically in the rest period.

Next week we head to Cody Dock, as you all know it's my last session, so I look forward to raising a glass to you; for making my job so damn easy, for transforming your neighbourhood and for some quality craic.

Till then,

B

Good squad out again yesterday, with Rebecca back from over the pond, Ryan making a special gust appearance for a hatrick of Princes and the newly engaged Dimple getting stuck into some celebratory landscaping. Nice.

But first, for those who made it to the Print House, we were presented with an RWQ of much scope; "What's the most anticlimactic or over-billed thing?" New Years Eve (no one's disagreeing with that), Taylor Swift (some might disagree with this), a Paint Ball competitor (niche info win), McDonalds (my answer was anticlimactic in itself), Endinburgh Xmas Fare (plausible) and this weeks winner...Art (all of it, but with a nod to new stuff).

Our numbers increased at Abbey Gardens, where we met the supple trio who had just done some yoga on site. Fully limbered up to work on levelling the ground for the greenhouse, laying the timbers and stones, clearing the weeds, and sorting the dead hedge. It also included a date with an unpredictable and stiff sink that we had to wedge in and out of position with a well-synchronised display of muscle. All in an eve's work for East London's premier do-good and get-fit outfit.

Next week we whip down the Romford to assist Super Sybil with the gardens (probably), she's upset we weren't there last week as we had some crossed wires, so get me out of trouble with a big number showing of GG grunt please. Sign up here

Till next week,

B

Solid squad out yesterday to help the folks at Abbey Gardens. We started by discussing which Head of State, past or present, that you would date. Most marks for Jacinda Ardern, followed by Obama, Trudeau and Merkel. Some might say slim-pickings.

Over at the gardens we were greeted by Alice and Makasi, and a fresh batch of green tea to invigorate us for the digging ahead. We continued what some of you fine folks started a fortnight back, and dug vigorously to empty a big bed, soon to be replaced with a lovely south facing* greenhouse.

Haven't had north of ten people in a while, always love to see it. So nice work all for getting stuck in, putting some miles in and giving back. Enjoyed that drink to boot too.

Next week we hit Cody Dock for our smoothest most picturesque run, sign up here

Till then,

B

An unwell Brahma meant a Prince led evening.

A welcome return of Rosa after a very busy work schedule and few days in the sun and Simon for his first GG of the year following and injury.

A gentle run along the greenway to Abbey Garden where Xuan greeted us for a mix of weeding,watering and detangling some bunting.

We split into two groups with Brad and Simon clearing near the fence by the coffee and Hilary and Rebecca clearing between the trees.

Kevin was on hose watering while Rosa and I had the water cans to water the raised beds.

We finished off with the bunting.....it had become so tangled but as Xuan was happy for piece to cut to make coloured piece to tie to the fence.

Hopefully Brahma will be back to led is to Up Garden next week following their second appearance on The One Show

Finally we got some evening light back, as Rebecca noted, whilst realising she'd never seen us under the harsh reality of daylight. We spoke about our most watched film; Flash Gordon, A Bridge Too Far, Lion King, Die Hard (2?), Lord of The Rings and Home Alone but to mention a few.

Somewhat of a smellier Greenway trip than normal, as works were being carried out, we arrived at Abbey Gardens before our leader, Xuan. In the meantime we opened a lock, found a key, opened another lock, and then took out some tools for our task, Crystal Maze style. Hils and Matt launched into some heavy duty compost turning work, Brad and I worked on some easy weeding and conversation, whilst the others cleared a few beds of weeds. A surprise cameo from Rosa, was a nice treat to see her at a session. We also ate some rather strong and punchy cress, which is where the random title comes from, if you had wondered.

Next week we hit up Cody Dock again, but following on from news of a finger being bitten off, by an old GoodGym runner nonetheless, please apply caution when flyering. It was an absolute freak accident, but no harm being extra cautious.

Sign up here

ps. Huge congrats to Matt, he's expecting a little person in August! pps. Good luck Rebecca on your HM, enjoy the challenge.

Till next week

B