A crack team of determined GoodGymers overcame adversity to clear two bags of litter from the streets of Chelmsford.

Richard braved a squeam-inducing injury he sustained a few days earlier, Fay shook off illness and Jen battled through traffic to join the group.

The runners met Fay by the river where we started our litter picking duties.

As the night got colder and darker, Jane and Andy made everyone jealous with plans for breaks in warmer climes, while Martin wondered if there were any GoodGym groups in Scotland. Apparently not.

After finding the south of the river surprisingly tidy, the group crossed a bridge so new that it doesn’t appear on Google Maps’ satellite view and struck litter gold around the Meadows car park, with cans and bottles carefully extracted from hedges.

Good work everyone!

It was an overcast but surprisingly warm evening as Jane and I set off from HQ to meet Jen and Laurie at meadow view cottage.

Tonights task was to paint some planters for Hearing Help Essex as they were in need of some TLC.

Sarah was there to greet us and provide us with brushes and paint ( as well as a much needed drink for Laurie). We set to task we abundance and chatted pretty much the whole time until it was dark. N.B, time to get those headtorches out and check the batteries for the evening runs, its starting to get dark again 😢

Saying our goodbyes, Jen and Laurie set-off homeward bounds and did Jane and I. Great work guys, the planters looked great after a lick of paint and cant wait to see them full of flowers and plants.

Next week is our last walk and talk with the ideas hub and Martin (good) will be your run leader.....

until then

RUN HAPPY

Rich

Goodgym is about working as a team and not about individuals, which is why Jane thought it would be nice to showcase one of our training sessions with a quick bee run! Jane really did insist, even bringing along Chris, her brother, to witness.

It just so happened that they were all bees that I needed to get to finish the challenge. Joel arrived dressed like a condom despite the fact it wasn't raining and then we headed off!

Everyone was excited to see a rainbow through Chelmsford and even more excited to see the legendary big dog complete the bee run. Chris was being reassured it isn't normally as far a run when he stepped in a massive puddle, we all hope he avoids trenchfoot.

We arrived roughly 4 minutes behind schedule, a small price to pay, with bets taken on Fay's first words when we got there.

Rich gave up halfway through weeding for a fantasy football draft, stressing he was quite a catch for the ladies as he is now in three separate ones. Andy told a tale of his first ever gig being at what is the St Lukes hall and carrying his stuff there in a wheelbarrow. I'd love a video but they didn't invent them for another roughly 200 years post gig. I gossiped with Jen about local houses for sale and it is amazing she is getting back into running using GoodGym!

After some stellar work we posed for a photo and were invited back soon. Sallyann ran off to get home at quite the pace, i did get a video but alas can't upload to this page.

We headed off back our separate ways. If you'd like to try the bee challenge you have until Monday to get involved and win a mega prize!

As Sam Ryder was in town this morning doing some busking we thought there might be a chance he could join us this evening, unfortunately he couldn't make it 🤷🏼‍♂️, but we did have our very own Russell join us instead. Which is actually better... and on that note.

With the threat of rain, 6 of us set off from HQ towards the springfield basin for a spot of litter picking. Meeting Fay and Sallyann there we broke into 2 groups and set about picking to our hearts galore. Somehow Andy and Russell ended up in the same group...and began to chat, and chat, and chat 😂

In my group, Ben posed for a majestic photo atop of a large boulder, Richard spoke like a true proud father about his daughter's parkrun pb and Jen told us about her epic charity walking adventure next year.

We regrouped along the route and continued down towards the lock. Took some group photos before heading back. Thanks for coming guys, We've made alittle piece of Chelmsford a bit nicer.

until next time

RUN HAPPY

Rich