10 do gooders hit the streets for a 2k run and took on the L.U.O.S allotments task.

First to arrive was the lovely Dawn who came to check us out and introduce herself last week but she was unable to run with us. This week however she was dressed in her finest - ready to hit the streets. We also had the lovely Ellie join us for the first time. It was great to hear you enjoyed your first session so much Ellie. Welcome to the team guys! Great to have you back with us too Jenny!! From the get go we had a steady trickle arrive. Although a few of our regulars got in touch to say they couldn’t make it. Y'all hurry back now ya hear.

So as it seemed all had arrived I started the briefing. A couple of people had already noticed I wasn’t wearing my running gear. I went on to tell everyone of my injury which prevented me from leading the pack as usual followed by the news that Sarah and Ali would be helping me out. Without further ado we headed outside to warm up then set off into the frosty night in search of this weeks light. Even with the help of my fellow task force member and the fantastic Ali I just had to be part of the evenings proceedings so I headed down to the task site with the help of my car. I know this is probably going to be frowned upon greatly but I simply couldn’t let my fellow GG folk down by not being there to share the cold fingerness and muddy footdum that ensued. I just don’t think that would be fair. Besides I love it too much to miss it, even if I did look like a creepy critter hobbling around the allotments in the dark. Out to Ali who laughed at me and my hobbling – I owe you one.

Surprisingly I managed to get to the task before the group so had a little catch up with the task owner Sandy who we absolutely love helping. She’s a stand up lady she is. Before long everyone else arrived and Sandy took the helm - telling everyone what they’ll be doing. Now, Sandy had been away for a short while in the time she was away it seems some tinkering little fingers had beat us to it in moving the pile of wood which Sandy had planned for us to shift. This is of course a good thing because the job was already done and with it being an allotment there's always plenty to do. Sandy had that under control - mentioning a few more tasks we could do. I asked everybody to split into three groups without too much faffing about or babbling (on my part) everyone got stuck in, moving the little wood and rubbish that was left in the original task location, weeding, shifting dead leaves and shifting some compost. It was a cold night but this seemed to have no effect on the group as we all worked away happily entertaining each other as we went. I hobbled between groups ensuring everyone was ok and that we were keeping to the clock. Out to you know who for their extra efforts in nearly throwing away a wheelbarrow full of L.U.O.S gloves. No love lost of course ;-)

Once again we had run out of time but we got through lots this of course made us feel great. Sandy was pretty chuffed too. We regrouped, cleaned off any tools we had used, got the gloves handed in safely and put all wheelbarrows back. Then came the round of high fives (including low fives for me) before saying our goodbyes to Sandy. I asked everyone to do some reverse dips along with press ups en route back, under the watchful eyes of Sarah and Ali. Would you believe I managed to cover the distance back to HQ quicker than the group so capitalised on this positioning myself ideally to cheer my fellow gg'ers on, prompting them to a sprint finish along the home straight and boy did they push. Shouts out to Dawn who did a great job on her first run in a while. You aced it. Huge thanks to my little helpers for the support in my hour of need. I'll get some elf costumes in place for coming weeks ok.

Once everyone re grouped we did our little warm down and made some plans for a little GG Haringey social next week. We were then off to get some well-deserved din dins.

Until next week folks - stay good, keep fit and look out for the light

Next weeks task