Ain't no mountain high enough

A last-minute cancellation of the task meant that this week's run was more Gym than Goodgym, but the 12 Tower Hamlets runners taking part were unperturbed, even on our eighth sprint up the deceptively steep hill in Mile End Park.

After jogging the 2km along the canal and doing a whole load of warm-up exercises (drills!) that made us look like idiots, the real fun began. Split into teams, we chased each other up the hill again and again, panting as we reached the top and cheering the others as we dragged ourselves back down. With barely a break between climbs, it was hard going. That Tom is a hard taskmaster.

The two sets of four climbs were, thankfully, broken up by a bout of strength training, which felt relaxing in comparison with the sprinting (it wasn't really). The system was elaborate, with each exercise selected by a runner sprinting to the top of another hill, pulling a slip of paper from a bag left up there for the purpose and racing back down to present the challenge to the group. We'll be feeling the effect of those squats for the rest of the week. The star jumps not so much.

A spectacular sunset and a sudden downpour so heavy that we were all soaked through in minutes rounded things off nicely. Goodgym - never boring.

Jo Caird