14 rain defying Hackney GoodGymers ran 4K to Bootstrap and move 12 huge oil barrels filled with soil from the roof garden to Bootyard.

On a typically British summers evening we were treated to a shower on our way to the E5 Bakehouse. Given the huge workload we had in store it was probably a blessing in disguise!! Hearing about Hackney Coach Run Rep Andreana's epic assault cause Legendary triple header on the weekend we were all spurred onto to physical excellence.

After welcoming two GoodGym newbies Eda & Sarah to the squad we got on our way to the warm up area to get our bodies physically prepared for the efforts that lay ahead. Following our muscle activating and joint mobilising dynamic warm up we did some arm drive technique work, working on our 90 degree arm angles and driving our arms backwards from our pocket to socket (shoulder) for our efficient and relaxed arm action. We finished off with some balance aiding exercises and a little plyometric blast before heading out onto the Hackney back streets.

Nibblely dancing our way through the 2k run to Bootstrap in Dalston we were soon at the Bootyard to meet Matt. We stormed up to the Roof terrace and got to work, splitting into two groups we manoeuvred the huge soil filled oil barrels which must have weighed over a tonne each (I am sure). Across the terrace, down 2 flights of stairs, down the corridor, into the lift, down to the basement, then up to the ground floor (yes random) and finally spun into the Bootyard. A serious energy sapping task which worked the team seriously hard!! Matt was so impressed and grateful for all our hard work!

With a few weary bodies we decided to stick together for the run back to base and bask in the barrel moving glory as we weaved our way through Dalston. A 2k run and s quite cool down rounded off an excellent evenings work!

Next week we are off to a brand new and exciting task at Abney Park Cemetery to lay a pathway. Be great if you could come along for some Hackney style running fun!! Sign up here.

Here is the information on and place to sign up to Hackney Marshes ParkRun on the 9th of July!!. Would love to see the GG Hackney crew smash all their ParkRun PB's!!

We also had to unfortunately bid farewell to Charlotte who is returning back to Bristol following her studies. Charlotte has been a key member of the squad for the last few months and will be missed but has promised to go and keep Kev company at a GoodGym Bristol run very soon.

Smooth Spinning

Joel

19 Hackney GoodGymers ran a speedy 4.5k to the Wilton Estate community Garden to dig, cut, plant and water our way to a stunning running victory.

On a night of almost ideal running conditions we were lucky enough to welcome back a few regulars from holidays, 3 amazing GoodGym newbies and an array of GoodGym glitterati.

We started the evening after a pressurised head count and pulse raiser with a series of mobilising dynamic exercises to get our key running muscles and joints ready for action. Once the joints were fully WD40ed up we moved onto some running form drills mixed in with a range of important lower body strength exercises. With our form tight, our core engaged, strength amped up and our running efficiency off the charts we ran 1k to Wilton Estate through the Hackney backstreets.

Arriving we were met by the always amazing Debbie who tooled us up and divided a range of great tasks to help maintain the ever expanding Wilton Estate community garden. With groups cutting back tree suckers, watering entire gardens by watering can and a hose, lifting and repositioning huge wooden planters, filling them with compost, trimming the orchard and finally planting hundreds of bulbs.

The gardens were a buzz of activity with the GoodGym crew flying around get Good done well, completing all the tasks in 35 minutes of top draw action.

A quick tidy up and we were ready to head on our way, but not too far as we explored the Wilton nearly 500 raceway. Lap 1 we got our running legs back under is, Lap to we ran hard along the short sides, Lap 3 we worked hard for half a lap before collecting ourselves for a monumental full lap timed effort on a super speedy Lap 4. A top lung busting effort by everyone and hope that we can see some speed improvements when we go back the the Raceway later in the summer!

A short chilled floaty run back to base followed by a series of static stretches saw us finish off a top notch evening of running fun!

Next week we are off to Bootstrap to lift, shift and team manoeuvre some big barrels. Please sign up here.

As I said in the into be great to have you all along to Hackney Marshes ParkRun on 9th of July to test out our Saturday morning Speed! For all the info and to sign up click here.

Until next week

Smooth Sprinting

Joel

Ten fearless Hackney GoodGymers braved the Tuesday Hurricane to deliver 600 flyers to promote St Luke church's amazing summer fair while running 3k and hundreds of stairs.

Only the strong survived tonight!! First the mental strength to get out the door and join the rest of Team Hackney, second to bound effortlessly up and down the stairs of 12 blocks of flats.

With the high number of stairs to be tackled tonight we started the evening with a series of plyometric exercises to strengthen up the lower body, improve core strength and balance as well as making our running efficiency even better!! We hopped, skipped and bounded in a mesmerising rhythm.

We then run 1.5k to St Luke's church to get loaded up with flyers for the very impressive Summer fair which doubles up as the Queens 90th birthday celebrations! Once fully loaded with flyers we descended on mass to each block dominating the task in record time!! Managing to stay together in the vast maze of the estate we bounded up and down the stairs super efficiently. In 40 action packed minutes we had completed the task and totally covered the estate in Summer fair cheer!! We left a very greatful St Luke's and ran the 1.5k back to base with many smiles and an impressive amount of feel good chatter.

After a rejuvenating static stretch out we were on our way feel great about an enjoyable task well done!

Next week we are back to Eco Active to enjoy the delights of levelling their community garden and many other jobs while being treated to some of the funniest stories you will ever hear. Would love you to come along!! please sign up here.

As a special treat we also have an amazing starter session on Saturday with the HUG garden on Hackney Downs! With a little less running but the same action pact 90 minutes of feel good fun be great to have you along and why not bring a GoodGym newbie friend along for good measure!! Sign up here. Please not we are starting and finishing at the HUG garden in middle of Hackney Downs. See you at 9:45!

Smooth sailing

Joel

Twenty Two buoyant Hackney GoodGymers ran 5.5k to help remodel 2 gardens run by Eco Active on the Kingsmead Estate.

After a beautiful day we were lucky to have a beautiful evening in near ideal running conditions. Being a slightly longer run than normal we set straight off on mass towards the task. After a 5 minute pulse raiser we stopped either side of the the Hackney cycling not very super highway to get our dynamic stretch on. With our bodies loose and mobilised we kept a smooth rhythm on our way to the Kingsmead estate. Navigating our way through Hommerton there was lots of talk about improved running mojo and great to hear a few runners preparing for a race or two in the coming weeks (If you are still looking for a race or want help with your training give me a shout).

We arrived in good time and met the team who run the gardens who were super passionate about their much loved gardens. We split into two groups and got to work turning over soil, weeding flower beds and raised beds. While in garden two there was almost a nightclub style sounds system pumping out tunes to keep the crew motivated. Flowers were planted, gravel was raked, weeds were removed and a huge bag of soil was shifted and carried to create a lovely flower bed then raked so it was as smooth as a long jump pit.

In 40 minutes of impressive work we go so much done and all the members of the garden were so greatful and really looking forward to having us back again in a couple of weeks. A proper GoodGym task was rounded off with a epic race back to base!! The Sexy group lead the way back at an impressive pace, acting as a target in the distance for the Speedy crew to chase down. The pace ramped up after we all crossed Hommerton High street and The Speedy crew to the lead, pushy the pace even harder!! A final push back to the Bakehouse saw us average under 4:30 per kilometre on way back!! Top running by all.

The evening was rounded off by a series of well needed static stretches and a very well deserved round of applause, before we went our separate ways with a job well done!

Next week we are off to St Luke's to deliver flyers around the local estate to promote their community summer fair!! Be great to have you along to run around the estate grabbing some amazing views while helping out a great community organisation!! Please Sign up here

Smooth sunning and running

Joel

Nineteen bouncing Hackney GoodGymers ran 5.5k to Hackney Downs to plant flowers in the HUG garden and clear the Old Park keepers lodge of 10 bags of rubbish.

On a Wild and Windy night in H- Town we welcomed 6 new faces to Hackney GoodGym and showed them how we do things.

We began the evening with a mobilising dynamic warm up where we got our lower body joints and muscles primed for action! We then bust into a series of strength building and core stabilising body weight exercises to get our muscles and joints robust and strong. We then bounced into action with some testing plyometric drills to activate a few fast twitched muscle fibres.

After the action packed start we headed off onto the Hackney back streets weaving our way 2k to Hackney Downs where we met Myra from HUG (Hackney downs User Group). We split into two groups the first began by ferrying watering cans to the garden to soften the flower beds for planting while group 2 headed to the Old Park Keepers Lodge to begin the first stage of regenerating the derelict building to hopefully being a community centre in the the not so distant future.

With both groups in full flow Christmas trees were being planted random single shoes were being bagged up. There were many weird and not so wonderful things found and removed in the Old Park Keepers lodge, a very satisfying task where we made a huge difference in a short space of time! With fence panels uncovering shoes and scorpions while suitcases didn't uncover any body parts but instead more single shoes. A fast and effective clearing pace was maintained and in 35 minutes the whole area was looking virtually pristine!!

In the garden holes were dug and soil was turned while an impressive number of plants were planted to brighten up the garden. In 40 quick minutes all the watering, soil turning and planting was complete and after a quick tidy up we were on our way!

The group chose to run a longer 3.5k route back to base so I added in a few loop de loop missions for those that wanted to increase the pace and distance! Special mention to Chris who was on fire and went on every special mission and lead the group home with a huge sprint finish across London Fields!

As I mentioned Saturday sees the GoodGym Parkrun Tour come to Hackney Downs and with so many of you in great form and fitness it would be great to see you there with many other GoodGymers from all over London and beyond! All the information is here about the Parkrun tour.

Next week we will be heading to Eco Active for a great task in their garden! We will be Digging up bushes, levelling off the ground, topping up raised beds with soil and making woodchip paths with so much to do it would be great if you came along and we had a monster turn out!! So please sign up here.

Silky Smooth Running

Joel