It claimed it was six degrees out. It felt colder, bring on the scorching 14 degrees it will be on Friday! Leah was first to arrive, eager to enjoy her first GG run, and with a longer run planned, even Martin was on time.

We headed off at a nice chatty pace, until we arrived to the edge of Beaulieu where it became dark and Andy led us climbing through bushes, smashing past cordoned off paths and roads, and Russell moved fences to get us to our destination. Nothing will stop us wanting to do good deeds.

It was lovely and warm inside the community centre where we got to work painting the hallway, complete with annoying motion sensor lights which kept turning off, and specific instructions to NOT paint the ceilings. While Fay and Little Rich made heart shapes in the corridor, an in-depth conversation about the proposed restructuring of Essex Council, or whatever council nonsense, was underway between Jane, Leah (both who work for councils), tall Richard (concerned citizen) and Russell (self-proclaimed Head of Essex Council). Delicious shortbread was served.

After we ran out of paint and had done the washing up, we posed for a photo with the photo of King Charles. Andy gave old Charlie a salute and we headed off. Check out the sick black and white filter I put on the photo. Leanne led the run to her house but slammed the door shut before we could all join her for dinner. Rude. We ran back to base, heckling those who went for a sprint finish and discussed upcoming plans!

• Task for Little Edi next week, led by Angela
• Helping out at the bag drop at the Chelmsford 5k/10k/half marathon, and then some of us running it too
• March 8th Beer festival
• Pub quiz first sunday each month (reigning champions!)
• and of course more tasks coming in March!

On a cold January evening Jane and I braved the elements and met Leanne at the old factory gym ready for a lovely chatty run to kick start our fitness and get over the lurgy for the new year.

We reached St John's church hall in no time where we met Fay and Sallyann already hard at work painting the skirting board. The plan was to get at least half done before coming back next week, but being the well oiled machine that we are we managed to get a whole coat of paint the whole way round the room.

With that we packed up and said our goodbyes, Fay and Sallyann walking back, Jane running home to get some dinner and Leanne and I running back to base to get a few more running miles in.

We'll be back at the church hall next week to give the skirting board a second coat.

And it will be you last chance to help us reach our target for the January challenge. So please come along if you are free.

Until then.... RUN HAPPY

Rich