Let's hear it for warmer, lighter Monday evenings

It was a very enthusiastic group of 31 runners that headed out to popular task location, Weavers Adventure Playground, this evening, where task owner Alex was well prepared for a large group with a total of 4 different tasks. We had a lovely run to the task, with a quieter, more scenic route planned and led by Bryon.

Something for everyone...

On arrival, the team were divided up into: the heavy lifters (as it sounds); the saw-ers (is that a term?) for those fancying their hand at chopping up large planters; the soil crew (or 'the dirt group', as they became affectionately known during the evening) for shifting large amounts of soil, and the creative-thinking group for designing and building steps around the new slide. With team leaders appointed for each micro-task, Alex divided his time between all teams, project-managing and working with the lifters to shift heavy white goods from 'out back'.

The return of the Tower Hamlets signature snack

Half time means Lucky Dip Pick'n'Mix time here in Tower Hamlets - this week, most runners made a beeline for the HobNob bars, with the more health conscious snapping up raisins and - get this - oatcakes.

Pl-anks to Alex, for the use of the hopscotch area

...And so, freshly-fueled, we moved to our fitness session, where, as usual, abs proved to be a particular favourite area to focus on, so well done for putting up with the side-plank crunch and tuck'n'roll demands that were made on your abs, all on the slightly-softer-surface of the playground's hopscotch area. A particular well done to Rhys who, on his first GoodGym run, ended up planking on a hill (albeit accidentally in an attempt to stay at the back of the class), thereby giving his abs a double workout...

Happy customers

We headed back to base, both runners and task owner very much the very satisfied customer. A massive well done to you all, your efforts were clearly very much appreciated by Alex - as he explained, you really helped lighten the load this evening. Thank you for being such fun, so creative, and for persevering with all the tricky tasks, and for not stopping for a second for nearly 45 minutes.

Thank you shout-outs to Bryon for navigating and leading runs to and from the task; Dave for stats; Isha for being co-photographer and for some really fabulous pics, Leanne for brilliant backmarking, for always staying in sight, even with some last minute twists and turns!

...And a very warm welcome

...to our first time runners tonight, Savina, Rhys, Nick, Brian, Yesh, Georgina and to Mi (whose first time it was with the Tower Hamlets crew). You lifted, you lugged; you shovelled, you dug…You were amazing.

...and a very Happy 6th GG Birthday to Pete

Thank you to Pete who joined us for his sixth GG anniversary - was really lovely to see you on your GoodGym birthday.

Well done again Team Tower Hamlets - what a thoroughly upbeat, lively, satisfying and productive Monday night out that was, and I can't WAIT to do it all again next week!

What an exciting crew to be heading out with on a Monday night! The rain was no match for Team Tower Hamlets as a group of new and established faces headed to the Town Hall steps for a quick warm-up before heading to Cranbrook Community gardens for a busy evening of varied tasks.

Tasks aplenty

Having visited the garden earlier in the day, it was clear the vegetable beds would be too wet to paint but there was still plenty to do. Our group was divided into four: we had trellis-assembling for the highly-logical and nimble-fingered; cutting, wheeling and binning wood for those wishing to channel their inner-Robinson Crusoe; the gardening group for those blessed with patience and horticultural skills, while the soil-sifting was reserved for those partial to a bit of dirt.

Introducing the Tower Hamlets Signature Snack: Lucky Dip Pick 'n' Mix

No orange segments for us...At half time, the team were presented with a new game: Lucky Dip Pick 'n' Mix which involved rummaging around in a bag taking pot luck on raisins vs Iced Gems. The snacking stakes couldn't have been higher.

And the rain came down...

Despite every trusty weather app promising only cloud, the runners continued to work at a speedy pace for over 45 minutes, only pausing to empty wheelbarrows, buckets or borrow more bin liners. We were drenched by the time we headed onto our fitness session, but feeling very proud and much-appreciated as we bid farewell to our delighted task-owners.

New game alert...

And so to Meath Gardens for our new fitness game, Tempo Tag (AKA Catch Bryon). 3, suitably-long laps of this beautiful green space with the aim of the game being to catch Bryon each time. Well done to everyone for a brilliant bit of running after an already physically-tough night - hopefully you'll have a good idea of your 5/10, 7/10, 9/10 pace now...And extra well done for digging deep for that 9/10 pace as a finale. And Bryon - thank you for being a brilliant sport and pace-keeper.

Each lap involved an exercise reward...Let's hear it for the Bulgarian split-squat, sweeping leg-plank and Pilates pulldown.

As for the Awards, Fabulous Form of the Night would have to go to Michael who, on his first GG run, wowed us all with his single-leg squats; Tim wins Multi-Tasker of the Night for doubling-up on the wood and postcard-writing tasks while Sarah wins Team Leader of the Night for guiding and assisting the whole gardening group.

We arrived back at the Town Hall steps for a quick, final stretch...What a night. Well done everyone - you got so, so much done and worked so hard at your running and conditioning exercises.

Thank you Becky for stats and cheerful and steady backmarking- we ended up running over 5K (42.8 miles between us), peaking at a highly-respectable 10mph; massive thank you again to Bryon, for race-pacing and brilliant route-navigation, and thank you to Sarah, who joins our Task Force as New Runner Rep - thank you for the warm welcome for all our new faces tonight.

And a very big, warm welcome to our new faces, Heidi, Charlotte , Claudia , Laura, Michael, Izzy , Paul , Shreena and Si - thank you for making the evening such fun, and hope to see you again very soon.

We're at Weavers Fields next week for more Adventure Playground fun - do sign up here.

Also, don't forget it's the London Long Run this weekend, a beautiful, 9-10m route following the River Lea, finishing with pizza, and running at a range of paces to suit all levels. Details are here.

Lastly, if you're running the London Marathon, do leave your details with the GoodGym Marathon Group here, so we can track you, cheer you on, and just provide general sound support for you and your fundraising efforts.

That really is it for now! Thanks to you all for making Monday so absolutely marvellous for all concerned - yet again. I CAN'T WAIT to do it all again next week.