20 runners set out to plant trees and clear ivy on a damp April evening.

Team Tree-Plant

It was a decent sized team that divided into two this evening. Task force member Bryon was heading up Team Tree-Plant who were due at the lovely local Parkview Estate Gardens to get a delivery of apple trees planted under the watchful eye of task owners Catherine and Des, and young Liam, who turned out to be an enormous task asset this evening.

The team of 8 headed around the corner to the Parkview estate, a beautiful estate and community centre which sits on the edge of Victoria Park, and which has just received a new delivery of fruit trees, as Catherine and the Parkview Residents team attempt to kickstart an exciting new community food-growing project.

It was all hands on deck as the runners got stuck in to this demanding and complex task. Trees planted, garden tidied, the runners headed back to base and were led through a gruelling – but much appreciated – fitness session by Chi.

What an achievement – your work was so much appreciated this evening.

Operation Ivy

Meanwhile, I was leading a second crew of 12 runners to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for Operation Ivy. This was a longer run than we’ve undertaken for a while, and brilliantly led by Sarah and Steve, who took us via parks and gardens, via the quickest, most scenic route. And they ensured we all stayed together, stopping regularly to run back for some of us! Anyone reading this, who’s toying with the idea of joining a GoodGym run, let me emphasise now, you never run alone – our runners proved that more than ever tonight. We don’t run fast – we run together. Thank you team.

And so on arrival at the cemetery, we made our way around to The Glades area to start clearing ivy in earnest. Before running bundles of it in our arms around to a larger clearing. It was a workout and a half, with runners removing rotten logs in their path, as well as mounds and mounds of ivy.

And then we were headed back to base, a beautiful route via Meath Gardens, even as the heavens opened.

Phew. What a night. It really felt like we went full Tolkien, full fellowship.

Very big thank you’s and hello’s tonight…

Thank you to task force member Bryon who stepped in so readily over the weekend to lead the second task, so that we were able to plan our unscheduled second task to Catherine and co. And thanks to task force member Sarah for stepping in, too, and taking some lovely pics.

Thanks to Sarah and Steve for wonderful navigation, and team spirit when it came to our running, and to Jo for brilliant, consistent, very reassuring backmarking. And thanks to Chi for giving everyone a mighty fine fitness finish to the evening too. You’re brilliant.

Welcome to Leila and Philippine – what a night for you to join our Group Run! Thanks for all your hard work, and for being such a wonderful addition to our two crews tonight. And we very much hope to see you again soon.

Next week, it’s Vibrant Vinyasa…

…Yep, next week we’re back to our favourite community arts centre, Oxford House, where terrific task owner Sarah has all manner of decorating fun for you, followed by an indoor yoga session led by our runner, New Jersey-based yoga teacher Christina. What. A. Treat. See you there?

Until then, have a wonderful week.