Monday 13th September 2021
Report written by Mark Barun
GREAT pun from JP and a great run from the team too!!
My title would have been musically 'My First, My Last, My Everything as it was my first group run back since pre covid, my last as an Area Activator and in my time as run trainer with goodgym it has felt like I have given it everything and so holding that note I will cherish the evening and all my time on every run with such awesome teams. Thank you all for keeping it special.
It was a beautiful setting for our warm up and meet prior to a 5km (approx run). The sun was sinking behind the trees with golden streams shooting through the leaves as GG Kingston and Richmond members arrived looking radiant and excited to get a group run going again after so long. The young deer and its mother trotted off to make way for us to try to remember how to move like we used to 18 months ago!! AND we did it - SO WELL DONE!!...... Maybe with a few groans and some huffing and puffing but we survived a traditional type warm up and was still looking ready to tackle a run too.
We opted for the steady paced run which gave us a chance to catch our breath and catch up, swap stories just like the old times and then before we knew it we were at United Response feeling a little thirsty but ready for action.
The gnome got off lightly as he was on the menu for painting but materials were in short supply for him so we set about painting everything else we could from the list. As the light of day was fading Dave mowed the lawn to a standard that centre court at Wimbledon would have been pleased with and the swing chair and the bench started to look all the fresher for some colour. The paths got some TLC too and were all the cleaner for a good sweep. I am certain as this was all happening I spied the gnome grinning smugly to have got away with a face lift but his time will come ... perhaps on our next visit.
Great work GG and thanks to the team at United Response for the hydration too!
A quick stretch set us up for the end of the session and the next one which was in the pub.... Where a blanket of red GG shirts had gathered to give this old trainer a night he would never forget!!
Thank you so much all for everything x
United Response is a top 100 charity committed to making life better for young people and adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs
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