10 runners brave the rain to do some work on the allotment for Colchester in Bloom

It rained and it rained and it rained. The World Athletics Championships continued. Colchester United's home game continues, so despite some calls to bail on the run or the task, of course Goodgym Colchester continued.

We welcomed back recent joiners Louise, Vanessa and Helen, as well as some of our more seasoned regulars before we headed on our merry way to the allotments.

It was definitely raining, and those of us in trail shoes remembered how much fun it was to run directly through puddles rather than trying to go around them

We got up to the allotment and it was decided that the task that had been planned of constructing a shed was inappropriate in this weather, but we could cut back a hedge (loppers still work in the rain). We could weed and flatten an area for a greenhouse (forks and pick axes still work in the rain) and we could plant some marigolds (trowels and gloves still work in the rain)

We got a lot of work done, we got very muddy, we compared psychedelic leggings, and Tav even noticed that Chris was wearing Pokemon underwear.

When we were finishing up, Pam invited us to take some vegetables home, so Fay and Ian collected as many beans as they could.

On our run back everyone enjoyed a bit of puddle splashing - best way to clean the trainers, and I think everyone's pace was a bit quicker with the eagerness to get home to a nice warm shower.