A fine weathered day led to a great turnout at GG! Leanne saw us all waiting and thought 'nah, those lot look too charming and fun' so went to join the walking crowd taking Laurie and the litter picking equipment with her. Martin arrived with his trombocinos which we all obviously identified on sight, and DJ Andy recreated his favourite 00's popstar moment. I gave the runners the choice of three distances and we settled on the middle one, Rich leading us out with such aplomb that Paul wondered when since his last task that we had started to hit it so hard! We paused our Endeavour at the Endeavour for comedy's sake.

The race was on against the sunset clock and we all worried about Ben when he took a tumble trying to do a heel click! Fortunately he was fine, must be something to do with the socks which Rob would be proud of.

We met up with the others and spied the womblers had already picked six bags! Still we have keen eyesight and a will to do good. As Heidi, Kate and I debated what art was (Banksy doesn't, GoodGym run report photos do) we got to work. As we got closer to the river and the new bridge, which looks lovely, we split into two groups. Drinks on Jess as she found £50 and Sallyann had already had those drinks with a pile of smirnoff bottles. Fay complained about having to take photos of the Hokey Cokey boat, but then leaped at the chance to photo me by a 'Fat earth dave.com' sign....funny that.

As twilight descended, Russell led us back to base for a 7km overall run - 1/3 of a great north run (entries now open!). Next week is painting the town red with our shirts and painting some benches so sign up!

On a fresh Wednesday evening we met at the uni and said helloo and welcome to new goodgymmer Kate! Peckham did their best to tempt her but she knew that Chelmsford was the place to be. Richard flew in, made everyone jealous of a perfectly sized sweat towel, and we discussed our zigs and zags to the football club.

Rich conveniently knew all the roads and headcount as my phone stopped working (sorry). It was lovely to see Ken back from his jaunt to Mexico and everyone got chatting about their travels.

Andy was missing Laurie and the warm weather (the thermals are officially back in action). The last 8pm+ sunset was two weeks ago and we'll all be cracking out the head torches soon!

At the football club we met Fay with some of the other volunteers along to help us and got some serious weeding done - well done everyone. The front was blitzed by most of the gang and Joe disappeared to the back of the building where the drains were playing home to gigantic spiders who were swiftly evicted.

The weather turned on us as we set off. If it ain't raining, it ain't training right? We're hardcore. After a group vote we decided to adventure through the woods to get home. Is this how horror movies start..? Nope, it was more like a comedy. Smiles all round, dinners debated, another good deed achieved.