19 runners make the town centre more beautiful

As I arrived at Leisure World I was feeling smug. Pam (from Colchester in Bloom) and I had spoken on the phone earlier and decided that because it had been raining all day, best to have a short task so that we could keep moving and not get soaked. Plus it was likely not as many people would show up - this assumption was false.

When there were already 5 of us a 6:30 I was a bit concerned, but figured that they had just come straight from work. Plus Fay and Chris were new. Thank you both for coming btw. And Fay even earned her red shoelaces on her first ever run, as she brought Chris with her.

Oh, Plus, she’s famous for being a real good egg, setting up a coat rail for the homeless in Colchester Learn more here

Anyway, back to my smugness. At 10 to, there were already about 15… And then just as I was about to stand up, Naomi, Catherine and Ciara arrived. 19!

We had 19!!!

I had a task that would take 10 people about 10 minutes, and we had 19!!!

Luckily, the daughter of a scout leader, I’m always prepared. So, we did use the back up task.

One of the key phrases to describe Goodgym in our marketing speak is “like a flashmob showing up to do good for a local community organisation”.

We took this literally tonight. So, we made our way to the Middle mill weir for our first flash dance. 6 of us took care of the boat planters, whilst the rest of us did a fitness session aka flashmob involving squats, jabs and star jumps.

We then made our way along the river path so that we’d get to run up North hill before mustering at the Elephants (we always have to feature the elephants, don’t we!).

From there, John, Fay, Hannah and Tommy went off to do the back up task of planting bulbs near the Vinyard St Car Park rates sign. The rest of us tackled the planters on the high street. 3 of us took a planter to deadhead the pansies and make sure they were well planted, whilst the rest of us took part in a fitness session. We made our way down the High Street and continued the same way until all 5 planters had been dealt with.

We certainly created quite a scene as people stopped to watch this group of do-gooders in red t-shirts.

John and Co. timed their return perfectly as we all met together back at the Castle pub before learning downhill running technique in preparation for the Colchester half marathon and making our way back to Leisure World.

Next week, we will be setting up a movie night for the residents at one of the Colchester Borough Homes sites. Sign up here

AND we have an extra social this month, as the Three Wise Monkeys are hosting a Silent Disco, and its a great opportunity for us to get together without being in lycra. Its on 17th Feb Sign up here

AND you can sign up to my Colchester Half Training Run this Saturday here