Five fearless Hackney GoodGymers braved the incessant rain, tempting lure of Christmas parties to dominate a challenging task on the ever expanding Wilton Estate community garden. After a warm welcome and a cheeky blood pumping dynamic warm up on the walking lunge train under the cover of the E5 Bakehouse shop front the five intrepid GoodGymers skipped off down Mare street to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the residents of the Wilton Estate.

We set off with this weeks triple T (Tuesday talking topic) fresh in our minds. But as we racked our memory banks to recall the very important issue of best Christmas fancy dress costume, we were distracted by the oh so trivial topic of the regeneration and gentrification of Hackney. After some delightful discussion on the changes in Hackney orchestrated by the insightful Cecilia we had elegantly glided the 2k to meet Debbie at the Wilton Estate. We picked up our tools for the evening with Kev insisting on getting his favourite pick axe so he could do the maximum good on the task with his amazing ninja pick axe skills in the pollytunnel. We split into two perfectly formed units and attacked like never before! With ninja skills in full effect in the Pollytunnel, Ian and Patrick cleared the weeds from the flower beds so fast they even drew amazed spectators from the flats above! No one could believe the speed of the two master gardeners. Soon the ground was level and as quick as a flash 20 concrete slabs were laid in the Pollytunnel. Trug after trug of weeds were filled then ferried out of the flower bed and in 40 quick minutes the flower beds were clear ready for replanting in the new year!

Unfortunately the Wilton 500 🏎🏎🏁🏁 had to be postponed as the weather had made the track a little slick for some all out efforts but undeterred we tested out the track for future races by doing a series of camel strides to encourage the legs to turn over a great speed but not for too long. Through a few back streets we worked on our scintillating change of pace with some 10k effort fartlek intervals to various urban landmarks to round off a brisk 3k run back to base.

After a revitalising stretch we warmed up a little with a quick drink in one on Hackneys finest establishments before heading off into the night to dry off and re fuel.

Please don't forget the there in NO group run for the next 2 weeks but we will be back to work off those Christmas excesses on January 5th for a whole lot more fun on the run.

Have a fun festive Christmas ☃☃🍾🍾🎉🎉🎈🎈

Joel