Report from Ben

It was great to see so many new runners this week, well done for braving the cold and rain to get out and continue to do good in tower hamlets!

We welcomed Verity, Anne, Julia, and Marietta who were attending GoodGym for the first time, welcome to team tower!

freezing weather

Given the freezing weather, we had a quick run briefing inside the hotel before heading outside for a quick warm up session.

It was then a short 500m run to the community centre to collect over 100 plants that Margaret had prepared in bags, that were now ready for planting in the many pots at the Rocky Garden.

Margaret was only too happy to show us her prized garlic plants

Trowels at the ready we set about giving all the Polyanthus's (Pollys!) a new home and Margaret was only too happy to show us her prized garlic plants that she's growing for the summer.

Alex led the way on sweeping duties and as more and more of us huddled round the lights warming our hands, the gardens were looking so much better. I can't wait to return in a few months so see all the plants in full summer bloom, at least then we'll all be much warmer!

So it was then back out for another mini warm up session. Needing to get warm quickly we did some high intensity sprints on the spot and high knees, which despite getting us warmer, also has the added benefit of helping with our running form. With the blood flowing again we ran the 1km over to Victoria park, for some fartlek intervals. Then just as we were about to set off the heavens opened! Someone had obviously known we hadn't watered the Pollys, so down came the rain, which I'm sure the plants were loving but can't say the same for us.. :-(

Axel will be sending some Kenyan warmth and sunshine our way next Monday. Fingers crossed!

Undeterred everyone braved the wet, giving it their all, getting their Heart Rate up and helping build up those leg muscles with the speed session. The rain can't stop Goodgym runners!
We'll add some games into the mix next week, as Axel will be sending some Kenyan warmth and sunshine our way next Monday. Fingers crossed!

We then returned back to the warmth of the hotel for a warm down session and stretches, working our glutes, calves and hamstrings.

*Amazing job last night and an extra well done to everyone for keeping the spirits high in the testing weather. Margaret was so happy with the planting and now she can get planning events in the community to raise more funds for the centre. High 5's all round! See you next week. *

Report from Domitille

It’s the third time we go there so far this year but it’s always exciting as we look after a different corner of the garden each time.

We were well over ten on Monday evening with a mix of new and old people. We set up quickly to the Hollybush Gardens. The center is on the other side of the main road where the hotel we meet is located so nowhere too tiring.... It’s the third time we go there so far this year but it’s always exciting as we look after a different corner of the garden each time. We planted flowers and swept the garden under the bright spot of camera lights. Betty the cart was once again part of the evening. Yo.

We had two trainers this time.

Once the place was flowery and neat, it was still cold so we did a quick warm-up before heading to Victoria Park…. It started raining heavily just when we arrived. The weather had been pretty miserable all day so we had been lucky so far with our evening. We kept the training short and sweet: three sprints ... to the third street light ... on the right. We had two trainers this time. Because the park is closed at night, we stayed on a passing lane of the park and cyclists wondered who are these people that dedicated to running that they come and train on a rainy and cold Monday evening. Goodgym people, eh!

So we wrapped it up quickly and ran back to the hotel where we had to do the stretching inside.

Ta-da !! See you next week !!