Eleven amazing GoodGymers turned up for some running fun this evening. We did a quick warm up, then headed off through the woods to Ivor Brown Court, near Tesco. We saw squirrels and rabbits en route, but no muntjac deer this time. Everyone did a brilliant job up the hills, so we admired the view, and once we'd got our breath back, carried on through the estate to find our task. Rebecca met us with various tools and bags, and described what to do, so we launched into some sweeping, clearing, tidying and litter picking. In less than 30 minutes, we'd made a real impact on the area around the residential home, it looked great. Bob found some spectacles amongst the litter, Chrissie cleared the drying area of leaves, making it safer to walk on, Louise and Ella did a marvellous job tidying the garden and driveway area, and Jade posed beautifully with a black bin bag (!) Well done guys! On the way back, we did some sprints, snake style, with lots of encouragement from Ian, Vanessa, and Tav, and lots of great running from everybody on this slightly-longer-and-hillier-than-usual run.

See you next time! Helen Eleven, out.

A dozen goodgymers ran to do a task at firstsite. We had some exciting news before we set off, including Ian achieving his 100th good deed. Congratulations Ian! This staunch Republican even received a letter from the Queen to congratulate him. We gave him a right Royal reception with a celebratory old thumper. We had a quick warm up outside leisure world, including sumo squats and walking lunges. Helen skillfully led the way through the narrow paths of Castle Park and on to first site where Eddie was waiting for us with a set of gardening implements and the instructions to smash, chop, saw and tidy. We set to work while motivating background music was provided by some impressive hula hoopers on the lawn. We took some photos inside first site to promote anti-plastic awareness through advertising the great work by replastic UK . Tav then led us off to do some fun and games fitness in the style of stuck in the mud and not so British Bulldog. Although it took us a while to understand the rules, we got the hang of it, with Holly, Nicola and Carl showing some nifty footwork.

Great job everyone. Eddie and FirstSite always appreciate our work!

ELLA

PS ONE ELLA OF A RUN REPORT, right?

We welcomed thirteen fantastic GoodGymers tonight for some park plogging; along the river, around the pond, and under the trees, on behalf of Rivercare in Colchester.

After the briefing, we headed out for a warm up involving invisible skipping ropes (obviously) and a reverse headcount, to keep us on our toes. We then collected the equipment for the task from the rangers hut. The group split up to hunt down some litter, with instructions to add in the odd walking lunge, squat, burpee or jumping jack, if pickings were slim.

Shout outs go to the two Louises, who did a fabulous job filling their rubbish bags and posing/taking photos, to Tav - who made friends with a tiny frog, although didn't kiss it, as he has already found his princess (groan!) Chrissie, who did a sterling job on first aid support, health and safety guidance and posing for photos. Ella, for pun suggestions, teamwork and goodgym dedication, Emily, who was doing her last run with us - thank you for your cheerful company and best of luck in the future! Jade, for getting stuck in and just smiling so joyfully throughout as always, Bob, who always appears to find more rubbish than anyone else, (how does he do it?) Carl for planking for THREE MINUTES, in our final plank-off challenge, what a hero, and to Dan for using his long arms and legs to reach the bits of litter that the rest of us couldn't! You are all heroes though, and I hope you enjoyed your evening plogging through the park!

Remember to cheer Ella and Hannah on at the Clacton half, on Sunday, or join Susie at Junior parkrun, this weekend, to volunteer. Dan is doing the Stampede half, which is coming up, plus there's the Langham 10k on 9th September (78 places left!) There's also a 10 mile 'big six' race in York in October, if you fancy it!

Until next time, Helen 13, out.

On a lovely sunny (slightly cooler) wednesday evening 14 GoodGymers arrived at leisure world full of smiley optimism, excited to be heading off to help Colchester in Bloom at their community allotment. After a warm welcome by Fay and quick warm up outside the leisure centre the group headed off towards the station, over the bridge and up the hill to the allotment. Pam was there ready to meet us when we arrived and eager to get us started on the evening's tasks.

we split in to smaller groups to tackle a number of different jobs - Ian and Vannessa cleared a new pathway, Bob, Louise, Emily and Tav moved sleepers, Carl and Dan collected together slabs and Kate, Katherine, Jade and Emily moved the debris and bug hotel. Once we had successfully cleared a big area the team worked together to lay plastic and secure it in place with sleepers. The newly plastic'd area made a lovely space for doing some exercise and Emily lead us all in some Yoga moves (supervised by Pam) down dog, into cobra and a cheeky childs pose!

Pam was keen to keep us working but as usual time beat us and before we knew it we had to head back down the hill and return to the leisure centre. Along the way we stopped to do some squats before spliting in to pairs to race over the station bridge. Once back at Leisure World the team took a vote and it was decided we would work on our conditioning, doing a stretching session. we gathered in a circle and worked our way through the major muscles, making sure we had a very good stretch in deed!

Our Gee-geeers ran 20 furlongs to help Colchester Foodbank.

Hold onto your horses, this evening was full of horse play... but no foal play occurred and thankfully nobody bolted like a bucking bronco!

Our big news this week is that Goodgym Colchester is celebrating its 2nd birthday and nothing seemed more fitting than returning to Colchester Foodbank, as this was the very first task Goodgym Colchester ran to when it launched in 2016.

We were delighted to welcome Holly to her debut run and she proudly wore her party hat!

With our costo-mare-y party hats on and after a quick warm up with a game of knee tag, we set off to the mane event - there was not a long face in sight. When we arrived we were surprised with a birthday 'cake' from the Foodbank staff, which was fruitiful - berry good indeed! We were also greeted by Alfonse the panto horse!

Our GeeGeeers were quick to get to work with the task of cleaning the Foodbank, as it had become quite dusty in the recent heatwave - no spot was left untouched. Whilst the group put in a mare-athon effort, myself and Susie got to try on the panto horse suit, as we will be wearing it for the upcoming Panto Horse Derby on Sunday 23r23rd September, 11am-3pm, Colchester High Street! Then we practised the difficult bit... running in it! The hoofing around caused much amusement, but luckily we were on stable ground - a good job it was such stable ground, as we couldn't see neigh thing.

After all our horsing around we returned to Leisure World and a few of us carried on the run to a local watering hole, to continue with the birthday celebrations.

The party people really had to rein it in - clearly there ain't no party like a Goodgym party!

On that note, it is time to hit the hay...

Great effort everyone and plenty of laughs shared this evening! Thank you to Helen for front marking and Susie for back marking, greatly appreciated.