Pretty sure that's the worst of winter out the way now, we can now polish our sunnies and get our vests ready for next session. A clear and calm evening in Newham last night with a superb bunch. We had a green themed random weekly question, to mark 'Earth Hour' this weekend "what's your favourite green thing?" courtesy of Helen. Some great answers including charity shops, bicycles, re-using clothing, sustainable packaging, banning micro-beads, composting, dads mimicking vegan habits, carrying a tote bag, eco-tourism, growing veg, sustainable consultancies and green peas. Bring on the Green Revolution.

I forgot to mention a couple of very decent runs last weekend, starting with Timbo's Parkrun PB, hard not to like that. Tim's come on massively and now attacks these 5k's races from the go. Siobhan, our endurance lady, ticked off a 17 + miler, inc a hilly Ally Pally Parkrun in the middle. No PB obviously, because every run has its own purpose. Well in, keep it up, continue to inspire.

Abbey Garden our old haunt from 2016, now back in our schedule, i'm personally chuffed: it's a close run at under 1 mile, the space is lush and relaxing, occasionally get some of the harvest...not to mention we can do a proper fitness session after. Yesterday you guys diligently weeded and de-constructed large planters in the dark. As all the men instinctively gathered around the demolition work, kicking the planter as they went, testing its structural integrity. The ladies and Brad got some soil between their fingers and uprooted the unwanted plants ie weeds. We got most of it under wraps before getting booted out by the council official closing the park. Next time we'll have more light, I reckon there's an abundance of potential for a sunny picnic social here come June/July. We finished off with 5 lunge varieties, 100 lunges cumulatively - known worldwide (well, Newham) as the HUNDRED LUNGE CLASSIC.

Next week it's back to Manorfield Primary, if you fancy some training and volunteering...sign up here

Make your weekends and parkruns count and I'll see you all next week

ps April 13th Parkrun Hackney Marshes - be there !

B

One of those delightful crisp wintry nights yesterday, with participation well into the twenties - a statement of intent from our volunteering collective.

Welcoming Giacomo, Stewart and Andy to our midweek madness. Kicked off the show with a round of applause for Alice, Jade and Olly who ran a half marathon on a very tortuous Olympic Park course. Alice straight off her death bed and onto the start line, Jade and Olly getting their first 13.1 mile distance under their belt. Gotta love it. Shaz, Siobhan and Kev getting a canal mission done on the weekend too. Phwoar all this activity is infectious. We finished with a random weekly question of "What's your favourite breakfast?" as it turns out there's a multitude of foods that fuel you lot. From porridge, frosties, full english, eggs royale, continental, peanut butter and bananas on toast and even a sickly american brekkie in there. Two cups of tea and a seedy, oaty, nutty mix for me today - i'm literally turning into my dad.

So onto the adventure playground we ran, all 23 of us, down a dark canal and over a bridge. Neville covered for Ange this week. Essentially two tasks: moving mulch to pad out areas where the fearless young fall (yes, you basically saved lives). And removing more poles/beams rooted deep in the earth's molten core. Great effort all round, the mulch (potentially imbued with some tangy manure) gave a steamy atmospheric quality to the night, albeit with a potent smell. The beams all got removed bar a stubborn one - we'll be back... with a JCB in the night.

Couldn't call it a night without some anaerobic speed work, 6 or 8 x 30secs, aiming to move through your gears, and finish as strongly as possible. Shake up your pace and remind yourself that you've got more speed than you know. Oh, and you certainly did.

Next week we go to the Docklands for the first time since Burn's Night, sign up here, another smooth canal run with diverse volunteering work awaits you.

Till next week

B

Something of a docklands bonanza this week, as we double up with yesterday's task and our incoming Friday fiesta. Very decent digits out for Justin's birthday on a fresh and frosty mid-winter night. Jaqueline joined in for her debut session...and by the looks of it has plenty zip. "What was or is your dream job?" was this week's question. Potentially a recycled one, but i've been doing this a while, I need your collective cerebral power to ensure I don't ask the same question next week (help) suggestions please! Nevertheless, an enjoyable conversation opener, employment dreams varied from KFC worker, Brain Surgeon, Travel Journalist, Bin Man, Bus Driver, Footballer, Ballet Dancer, Forest Officer and Artist. James used to think that the dirtier a job the more it paid, whist often not true, New York Sanitation workers buck the trend. They ensured value for their indispensable role in society and gritty hands on work, through a series of strikes, most famously for 9 days in 1968. They now get remunerated quite handsomely, as they should. Up the workers!

Back to East London though, the prime number of 17 arrived at Cody Dock truly warmed up and ready to assist the public dockland. You guys painted black boards (in terrific full on forensic suits), stocked the booze box/bar, painted a wall red, decorated the main room and set up the stage. All in an evening's work. Quality stuff.

We jogged back together quite leisurely and tucked into vegan brownies, courtesy of Justin, very kind! Marking his birthday the day before, defo worth a celebration, as Kev said "he's almost made it through winter".

Look forward to the Friday PARTY and seeing you all for a drink and a bite.

Sign up to next week's task here

B