A large and lively group of runners met our lovely task owner Margaret and Michael at the Bethnal Green Nature Reserve for Pond Building Day 1. The early birds amongst us were given an initial tour of this hidden oasis which included huge stones used to prevent drag nets from trawling our shores, houses for bats (which are endangered in our cities) and a medicinal herb garden (not those herbs before you ask). We were then directed to a huge crevice at the back of the reserve where we began levelling off the earth and removing the fibre glass and plastic from a previous less environment-friendly incarnation of the pond. Despite failing light we continued with enthusiasm – our efforts overseen by Sage our friendly neighbourhood fox. Special shout out to our newcomers and to our very own Alex who proudly wore his T-shirt with wings for the first time to the mission.

Well, we didn't plan on a double fitness bill tonight, that's for sure. Who knew.

So a small little group gathered in Museum Gardens this evening, for our pre-task run. It was fantastic to be joined by Nina, who we haven't seen for a while! And although the run started off as a short one on paper, Si thankfully took over and, after some brilliant navigation finding the quietest, longest route (including a lap of Middleton Green), we managed to squeeze in a little bit of extra mileage en route to one of our favourite tasks.

Many hands, etc etc...

Margaret greeted us with a well planned operation: brand new gloves; bundles of bin bags, and the obligatory crash course in "What's-a-weed-and-what's-not." The team busied themselves along Ellsworth Street, weeding the entire border and filling bin liner after bin liner in no time. It felt like we'd only just arrived when we were already posing for our cheerio end shot.

What's a single leg squat between friends?

The task was scheduled to take the GoodGymers ninety minutes but 45 minutes in, we were scrabbling around for the last little weed. "Well, we're here now," we shrugged at 7:15pm, and so we accompanied Margaret to the Nature Reserve to take a quick look at the pond that'll be the job for next week's two-part task (including our Group Run), and then over to the basketball court we headed, where we enjoyed 20 minutes of not-so-easy fitness: a few speedy laps, some balancing lower body work; the obligatory core moves, and some nice stretches, oh, and a last final lap to finish. Not a bad effort at all, team.

Another great evening, doing lots, interacting lots, and just a lot of doing what you do best: combining your fitness and your sense of purpose into a heavenly 90 minutes for all those who come into contact with you. Way. To. Go.

Until next time.