13 amazing runners ran 4.6 k and flew through the delivery of leaflets for Age UK Exeter. They also smashed out some hill sprints and run drills and got to experience some crazy photo shoots under the Christmas lights! What a night!

As usual we met at the Phoenix Art Center to lock up our bags and go through news and safety instructions. We also had the great pleasure of having Martin, the Chief Officer of Age UK Exeter, with us at the Phoenix. He told us about the work that Age UK does in Exeter, particularly in term of tackling isolation among the elderly. Though their campaign #EatTogetherExeter they provide opportunities for elderly people to share a meal with others, something that a lot of them rarely get the chance to do.

Before setting off running we carried out a dynamic warm up session. We jogged around in circles, moving our arms in different directions. We then carried out different movements corresponding to different numbers being shouted out. We quickly warmed up and set off towards our task location. During the run we re-grouped at regular intervals so that no-one got left behind. Town was beautifully lit up with all the Christmas lights and when we arrived to St Leonards the spirits were high!

Our task was to deliver postcards for Age UK Exeter, promoting their #EatTogetherExeter campaign. We divided our group into smaller groups to deliver the postcards and very efficiently covered street after street! We worked so much faster than anticipated and had delivered the whole pack in no time!

We flew through the flyering!

With some extra time for fitness we set off towards the quay were we found the most brilliant hill for hill sprints. Yay! Using a pyramid model we sprinted up the hill five times, increasing the sprinting distance 3 times and then decreasing it back down again. You guys smashed it! Truly fantastic effort by everyone! So lovely to be cheered on by people walking past as well!

Next up we sprinted over the bridge in the quay three times. Here we were not cheered on so much by people walking past, but by the geese and the swans in the water! They were clearly very impressed!

After a nice run up a long hill we gathered under the Christmas lights in Princess Hay for some run drills, working to mobilise our hips and knees, improve coordination and footwork and improve glute and quad strength. Although the drills were great and you all worked really hard I think it is safe to say we had even more fun exploring all the Christmas light displays! It might only be November but why not?

Back at the Phoenix we carried out some static stretches. Tom also showed us the butterfly stretch and we almost took off the ground with that! We then gathered in the Phoenix for some drinks and to plan our Christmas Party (more info on that to follow soon). Lots of CHEERING both on the GG website and in person took place plus some tasting of Scandinavian salt liquorice... it didn't proof half as popular as the Heroes chocolates though!

SHOUT OUTS

• Thank you Lisafor back marking! Great support for the group!
• Well done Tom and Lisa for reaching 10 good deeds! Brilliant work!
• Fantastic to have Pete on board as task force!
• Great to see so many of you signing up to our Christmas race and Dartmoor training run!
• Huge shout out to all of you: you are all heroes for coming out to get fit by doing good, not letting the dark or the cold defeat you! It is AMAZING to run together, to connect with the communities across our city and with each other! Sending lots of GG love to you all!

NEXT WEEK Next week we are running to Newtown to help Clifton Albert Residence Association maintain some alley ways in the area. The run will be 3 k in total, perfect for all abilities, and we will have a great fitness session as well with some brand new equipment that Santa brought early for us! It would be amazing to have you along! Sign up here

TRAINING RUN On December 8th we have a long distance trail run on Dartmoor. If you are keen to discover the excitement of trail running and to go out and explore the moors in a group sign up here, it will be a real adventure!

CHRISTMAS RUN Christmas Race: We are going to run Haldon Jingle Bell Run on December 15th! Yay! You can choose between 5 and 10 k and it will be great fun! Sign up here on the race event page and then also let me know here if you are coming so that I know how many treats to bring!