9 runners painted at The Ideas Hub

Part 2 of painting at the ideas hub and we got into the task after a quick plank warm up. We painted all the panels we didn't manage to get to last week and added a second coat to a few more. Everything is looking very bright and white!

On a Roll-er

Really pleased with everyone's efforts especially newbie Kerri who was soon chatting with the group and painting like a pro.

life on the run

After we covered almost everything we could see white we cleaned up and set off on a nice steady running tour of Chelmsford. a loop round the bus and train station so we could get some blurry subway pics and on wards to the University before heading back.

Check the facebook page for news o the social and we still need ideas for races we can do together! see you next week!

Twelve tackle the task of taming terrible topiary

This week we gave our Goodgym crew a taste of how missions work and how important they can be. John from Springfield park baptist church brought this task to our attention. One of his Parishioners Brian has been unable to maintain the area in front of his house and the area has been left unattended for some time. As the area is beside the road we were able to get stuck in and clear the area in no time. The hedge was so over grown you could hardly see the windows, let a lone see out of them, so our main task was to clear the higher branches so they were clear and a view was once again visible.

After our 2.3k run we collected tools from the church and John came back with us to explain the task. We also collected the 2 wheelie bins to fill and put the reminder into plastic bags. The hedge was exceptionally prickly but no major injuries were recorded!

This left us time for one of my favorite sessions, the three bridges relay! As the route led us back to the wooden bridge with newbie Jem pushing the pace, we paused there and split into teams. After a closely fought first leg or two the teams began to edge away from each other, but as I ran last leg and was not back to see the winning team we may have to call a draw??

A slightly steadier run back to base and a stretch whilst we discussed the days events completed the session. Great work by all bringing some light to someones life, hopefully in more ways than one.

12 Goodgymmers went to Hylands school farm to clear some used straw

This week we headed back to Hylands School farm, a firm favorite with the Goodgym Chelmsford Crew to help fill the skips with more farm waste. As the route took us through the park we stopped for exercises along the way to make sure we were fully warmed up for the task. Press ups, dips and wall sits were all easily dispatched before we took on the long "slope" up Waterhouse lane.

Despite a slight addition to the route we reached the farm raring to go and quickly got stuck into the task. Barrow after barrow were filled and loaded into the skips, and in no time the skips were too full for us to load any more. This did leave us a little time to confirm that the turkeys were still in residence and have a chat to some of the Goats and some new "Posh" Chickens.

Our excellent and speedy hard work also meant we were able to add a little Admirals park hill relay to proceedings on the way back.

A big shout out to Rachel and Joel who completed their first 10k last weekend and to Laura who joined us for the first time.

see you all next week!

13 Great Goodgym runners made the short trip to Our lady Immaculate School to dig their peace garden.

A bakers dozen 13 of us met at our usual 6.30 and warmed up a little in the ideas hub before a short and dynamic warm up. A great turn out despite temperatures dipping slightly! We set off to Our Lady Immaculate School where we were greeted by the caretaker Mr Gilbey, Head teacher Mrs Barningham and Gardener Becs who set out the task ahead.

Just Diggin' it The team set about digging the area in double quick time and the soil was soon loose and ready for some fertilizer to be dug in. We made short work of the 55 bags, spreading them across the garden area and digging them in so that planting can be completed before winter fully sets in. Big shout to Joe who disappeared behind the lights and worked hard with his head torch to clear the far corner, to Newbie Kris and to all those who had clean trainers before we started.

A "Quality" task As work was completed ahead of schedule, we were treated to tea and coffee and some Quality street (other chocolates are available) by our hosts, which went down very well with the team. Obviously as we had a little more time we put it to good use by heading the scenic route home!

Relays in a round about way As Michael had to head off early (thanks for coming even though you had other commitments!) that left 12 runners raring to go so we split into 3 groups of 4 and ran relays in central park from the subway round the roundabout and back. This left some "deliberately blurry in an artistic kind of way" photo's and some warm and tired runners after a close fought relay!

And relax A short jog back to the hub and we stretched and discussed up coming events such as the London goodgym social on friday, the Chelmsford Social next friday (horray!) and the Santa fun run (for farleys hospice) on the 4th December.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week for tree planting at Westlands Primary school sign up here!

Ken

12 Goodgym greats ran 5.6k to Hylands School farm to help clear the way to their "Secret garden".

Another Goodgym Adventure begins! This session began by welcoming 2 new Goodgymmers David and Richard to the group, and with temperatures quickly dropping we decided on a short warm up before setting off through the park to the School. It was great to see a well prepared group with some hi-viz clothing and some head torches spread through the group.

And there off! We set off through the park and then navigated the turns to the back entrance of the school and found the farm, but not our contact Jess! We kept warm by running some sprints across the back field in pairs until we found Jess and were introduced to our task and a host of friendly animals. After meeting the mostly indifferent Shetland ponies the Goats made up for it by being friendly and inquisitive, and the turkeys made sure they were heard too. (although fairly sure a group of turkeys are not called a heard!)

A prickly reception The pathway to the secret garden provided a more prickly reception as brambles entirely filled the path and much of the surrounding green house frame. We collected gloves and tools and set out to tackle this and the weeds covering the garden and fence.

Kidding around Job done we posed for a team pic and were photo bombed by a goat or two, before setting off back to base. Fortunately we had time for a hill rep or two in Admirals park before we got back and stretched to complete the session. Great to see some new faces and well done again to Gerry for completing the Saltmarsh 75 (mile) challenge at the weekend and still keeping up on this weeks Goodgym run!

Sign up for next weeks run Here and if you have gardening gloves please bring them along!

We finished what we started last night in Wandsworth, as we collected the bags of laundry we had dropped off at the launderette on our Monday group run.

Waiting outside the launderette for everyone to assemble, we met the lovely Emily, fresh from a lunchtime run. Way to go! Kylee had also smashed another personal best that afternoon, while Dave had run from home, Jack had cycled, and Matthew had already put in two hours on the ice rink. Dream team!

After we had picked up the clean bags of washing we headed for the Love to Learn charity to drop them off. Handover complete , it was off to the park for a mile time trial. Time trials are really useful for setting a bar to beat, improving your pace and providing excellent cardio training. Everybody pushed it last night, and the times were impressive. We'll be coming back to that to see if the training has been paying off in a month or so. Great running, everyone.