You know those nights where you aren’t sure on the weather, you run out do the task, get home and then it pours!!! Yeah, this wasn’t one of those.

Tonight, we even got wet from the ground up – I’ll explain later. First, let’s start at guildhall, our usual meeting place on a Tuesday but something is not right already as our entrance has been closed off. We had a tip off and was informed of another route but didn’t expect it to be quite so tucked away. Luckily it wasn’t raining as we went exploring for the Alice in Wonderland type door to get us on the inside. Did I say luckily, sshhh Mark. We spoke too soon, and it was getting heavier - but not to worry we made it in and even if half of the 15 strong team were soggy already there was no dampening of spirits. We were ready to travel further across borders than any Kingston GG team before us to make a difference.

Runners warming up for a rain dance last night , well done for tackling such horrid weather! #weather #goodgym #kingston #doinggood #volunteering #unitedresponse pic.twitter.com/pxvcR7L0Li

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) March 11, 2020

Tonight, our good was to be shared with United Response in the Hampton area and so due to going the extra distance the warmup was brief and some what sheltered which was a complete contrast to the puddle ridden run ahead. Now rain is no stranger these days but some clever chap suggested a run through bushy park in the dark to get to the task and the fresh down pour meant that puddles formed big enough and dirty enough to make a tough mudder look like a party in a hosepipe ban. We were soaked from the ground up, puddle hopping as the rain bounced off our heads in the dark with head torches bobbing, we made it to the street lights to enjoy the spray from the cars as they drove past us. Why we were so soaked the poor run trainers’ eyes must have been waterlogged as he could not make out an 8 from a 3 in the address so the team spent 4 or 5 minutes looking for the wrong house. We got there in the end and just then like a miracle the rain stopped. A friendly task owner greeted us and the happiest gnome we had ever seen appeared. No, we were not back in the Alice’s Wonderland or delirious from the rain – It’s true.

And so, to work with our task to help the awesome United Response charity by assisting with the gardening at a residential home to make tidy and brighten up for those living there. Fingers crossed the weather changes and they get the chance to get out and enjoy soon as we blitzed it, making it clear from moss, weeds, overgrown branches, leaves and more. Why we even cleared neat paths through the palm like trees with super efficiency (Steve is considering opening a barber shop soon on account of his great skill with the shears). All of this was done under the watchful eye of the biggest gnome ever. He oversee us scraping away the moss and debris to leave the garden looking tidy and spring ready!

A great job done for a great charity that does so much good in our communities.

So, for the run home and it was a unanimous decision ‘NOT THROUGH THE PARK’ which made it seem almost too easy and in no time, we were back to guildhall. Home at last and you know what they say ‘there is no place like gnome’ to get dry!

Make no bones about it - it looked like a grave task but it wasn't as turf as it looked!

We kicked off the warm up with the biggest group of the year so far: 23 of us including four new recruits! Welcome to Paul, Daniel, Cassandra and Connor on their first GoodGym run and welcome back for a 2nd run to Philippa. After kicking, squatting and burping for a while, we got on with the warm up. Everyone enjoyed a longer warm up this week, honing in our technique and agility.

Off we ran (and walked) around Surbiton and Kingston and up to Surbiton cemetery. The wheelbarrow squeeking around the pitch black cemetery made for an edgy setting as we picked up the tools and got ready to work. Digging things up in a cemetery may sound like grave task but it wasn't an undertaking. 23 of us made light work of edging and removing turf from the paths and we cleared a path in no time.

Well done again GG Kingston runners for making such quick work of clearing a path at Surbiton cemetery this week #kingston #goodgym #surbitoncemetery #volunteering #runninggroup #getfitdogood pic.twitter.com/QFOELypjoa

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) March 6, 2020

Back we ran to the Guildhall - stopping on the way back for an obligatory photo in front of the iconic leaning phone boxes of Kingston, before we dialed up the pace for the final leg. Then back for stretches.

Super effort to all

In the news tonight we mentioned a few things but one we need to think on was the message about reducing the risk of Coronavirus spreading so here is the link to GG's tips on the matter https://www.goodgym.org/stories/coronavirus-information-for-goodgym-activities

Having enjoyed the comfort of some warm tasks on our group runs over the past few weeks we braced ourselves for a task in the great and rather cold outdoors. Once we had welcomed new member Owen to his first run and Emily back for her second Kingston task we decided how many layers we really needed before leaving the warmth of Guildhall.

Our first stop was the market square for a much needed warm up. Mark had us playing stuck in the mud with a few jumping jacks involved for good measure and then working in pairs on a set of squats and lunges to make sure we were fully warm for our run.

Then off we went running along the river and up into the roads of Kingston for 3km until we reached our task at Latchmere Recreation Ground where we were met by members of the Friends of Latchmere. Four GoodGym members headed off in one direction to get shovelling while the rest set off to get digging.

A large amount of earth needed clearing from a concrete area behind some storage containers so that a shed could be built and there was lots of earth for our GoodGym team to move.

Across the other side of the recreation ground 5 holes needed to be dug 2ft square and 1ft deep for fruit trees to be planted. This was easier said than done when we got through the turf and the topsoil to find lots of huge rocks. It was time for the pick axe to take over from the shovels to loosen those rocks.

Rocks removed we kept digging and emptying the holes until they were deep enough. Once ready we refilled them backwards with the turf on the bottom and topsoil on top.

They are now all ready to have fruit trees planted in them on Thursday when the Friends of Latchmere volunteers go to the park to complete the planting.

By this point the warmth of the run and the digging and shovelling had worn off and it was time for another 3km run back to Guildhall and a good warm down on the steps.

Well done to our Owen and Emily on competing their first and second tasks.

Thanks to Martell for being backmarker and Caroline for leading the walking group.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week!!