Litter Sweet Symphony

Making Mile End more tidy

A hefty team of 26 headed out to the final #BigCleanUp of the current campaign organised by Tower Hamlets Council.

As we're joining in England Athletics #RunAndTalk campaign this week, we opted to litter-pick around Mile End Hospital, one of the borough's most valuable services for mental health.

Task owner Richard met us outside the hospital, and, as usual, provided a very thorough health and safety briefing, and ample litter-picking kit. Before we knew it, the entire team had been dispatched to the area in and around the hospital, and proceeded to fill many large bags in just 45 minutes.

Trash collection became a treasure hunt

As usual there was some good Tower Hamlets treasure: Bryon found a pound, Will found a hub cap, Dave found a...cat. All in a good evening's litter-pick. The runners were very good natured and characteristically patient about picking up hundreds of cigarette butts - a fiddly (thankless) task with a litter-picker. But, as always, no moaning or complaining - just lots of full bags.

A choice of fitness

And then it was 8.05pm and we were gathering to deposit rubbish bags and pose for our final pics. And, what a lovely surprise, when TH Run Leader Will stepped forward to offer an alternative to our planned fitness session, for those wanting a longer run over rainbow side planks in the park. We divided into two teams: one headed back on an additional mileage detour with Will; the other headed with me to Carlton Square Gardens for our serotonin-boosting sweat session which kicked off with squat jacks and ended with skipping lunges. Ouch (in a good way).

Back to base for step-stretching and Kit-Kats

We sped back to base, route navigation salvaged by Si , to join the running squad on the hotel steps for the best calf stretch going. We blitzed hip flexors and hamstrings too, before heading inside to wolf down a Kit-Kat or two, leftover from the pre-run snack stash.

Shout-outs galore

Big GG TH shout-outs tonight to first time GG runners Liam, Marta and Caiti, and to first time Tower Hamlets runners, Julie and Dharmesh (sorry your journey was a pain, Dharmesh - thanks for persevering).

And shout-outs for Leanne, Sarah and Becky for backmarking and Will for leading the running fitness session.

Next week: Farmyard fitness at Stepney City Farm

Next week, we're back at Stepney City Farm, so do come and join us for more farmyard-and-fitness fun and games.

And in the meantime, have a thoroughly fantastic week. See you soon!