9 Kingston Goodgym runners met tonight to help at Canbury community gardens.

Mark started the warm up in the market place where we were chasing each other around the square dipping in and out of the market stalls forwards and backwards and planking on the artificial grass. We were joined by first timer Zi this evening and welcomed guest runner Rachel all the way from Sheffield!

Kingston superheros...faster than the speed of light! ⚡#warmup #goodgym #running #fitness #kingston #marketplace #running #volunteering #doinggood pic.twitter.com/8Oz28Hkmml

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) 11 June 2019

The walkers set of on the short route whilst the runners hit Kingston bridge and through bushy park gates sharing the cricket pitch with some practicing cricketers, but we didn't get caught out and made a good six. Back over the Thames for the riverside run to Canbury gardens to be met by our lovely task owner Marilyn who explained the task ahead.

A few mixed a cocktail of top soil and manure together to make a good soil to top up the raised beds. The chickens Fluffy and Henny were let out to pick at the best bits after the soil was mixed and nearly got buried by keen runners spading the soil onto the heap. We were told some more hens were to be residing at the Canbury site soon and how they might name the next one Princess Layer. Once the cocktail was ready and had the chicken inspection it was served into a gro bag (minus the chicken) with wheelbarrows ready for reuse.

Even the chickens got in on the run! #goodgym #volunteering #tuesdays #Kingston #runninggroup #canburygardens #riverside #fitness #doinggood pic.twitter.com/BM35uz8TF7

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) 11 June 2019

Meanwhile other runners were rolling butts, water butts that is, to the river and topped up the water levels of the pond and helped clear the path of moss and weeds.

'Roll out the barrels' 🎶#volunteer #runninggroup #canburygardens #kingston #riverside #runtodogood #goodgym pic.twitter.com/YaL5lTARwQ

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) 11 June 2019

Task completed so a short run back to the Guildhall for a warm down in the office sitting on chairs and leaning on tables.

“Water we doing tonight?” you asked. We were told that we would be hauling water from the Thames to water the community gardens nearby because it has been such a dry month. The rainy weekend wasn’t quite enough with the hot weather dew to continue now. It must be a sign of the Thames I think!

After a little clucking around on the straw outside the Guildhall and some quick warm ups, we ran out towards Fairfield park only losing part of our group momentarily as we got a little distracted by Ally’s fancy new running shoes! A few running drills kept us going at Fairfield and a little confusing test of our sense of direction and compass points! Once we got our bearings, we were off in the right direction again as we moved on towards our task location. Down at the rivHERBank we went as Mark lettuce down the right path towards the Canbury Community Gardens.

When we arrived we were met by our lovely task organiser, Marilyn. She explained how the community gardens works and the various projects that they have on the grow. We were given a quick tour of all that’s been growing on there. Apparently, runner beans are the most successful kinds. We couldn’t agree more! A few different jobs were set out for us including the filling of a large water butt, the jerry-can style water canisters, various buckets and watering cans. One of us asked about the best way to fill our buckets from the Thames but we were told it deepens if we wanted to go for a swim or not at the same time! With ropes and string attached to buckets we tossed them into the Thames and pulled out a pailful to pour into our canisters. Gosia created a funnel to prevent spillage and the wheelbarrows helped to get the job done quickly. Once we’d almost filled the large water butt it began to lean and we had to work together to make sure the butt was firm and stable because after all, no one likes a wobbly butt! Nik and Nicky came to the rescue to ensure a salad foundation for the butt. With the full water canisters left at the ready by the beds and planters, we set to work watering the tyre planters. We could never tyre of watering!

We were also tasked with the set up and prep of a chicken coop and we were clucking with excitement at the thought since we never chicken out of a challenge. There were so many good deeds to be done, they couldn’t keep us cooped up! We were given wheel barrows, shovels and rakes to spread the bark mulch in the coop. You could not herb our enthusiasm while there was so mulch to do and so little thyme! *It’s *bean a fun task tonight! Thanks everyone!

Digging a hole....but it's worth it! #kingston #goodgym #gg100k #tuesdays #running #doinggood #volunteering pic.twitter.com/e6fgqj3Mx5

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) July 31, 2018

Like the rain, we were here today, gone tomato!

In other news, Samia has completed her great 50th good deed run with GoodGym! Congratulations!

Welcome to new runners, Jak, and Nik on your first run and tt was great to have you back Jo and Annabell. Good to see you on your second run with us Dave *and *Rob and welcome to the touring Gosia and congratulations on your recent 100th run too!

Also Goodgym has done its 100,000th good deed and would like us all to tweet about our favourite group run. Use the hashtag #GG100k and post a run report link to your favourite task and run!

100,000 good deeds DONE! inlcuding a chicken run - we didn't stay couped up for long! 😉🐔#gg100k #running #volunteering #fitness #doinggood #kingston @RBKingston #canburygardens @goodgym pic.twitter.com/kfNUf349Tt

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) July 31, 2018