This summer has been one for sport to give us some good news in the wake of the pandemic and with heat-waves and the cost of living it is very welcome!

England Women National football team had Euro glory at Wembley, The Commonwealth Games spread a message of celebrating diversity in Birmingham as England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland achieved 273 medals and para-athletes were part of the same event. Over in the midlands Goodgym Birmingham played a role as volunteers at the Commomwealth games and if you check out the photos you can see how much Goodgym Chelmsford have achieved so far this year.

Last night did not go to plan but on the positive we had a nice 5km run and chat in the cooler evening air.

We didn't feel the rain on my fingers but had slightly soggy toes...well that is enough We Wet Wet!

The cricket was rained off but 4 of us managed a few kilometers in the cooler but muggy Chelmsford evening.

After a hard day's work what can you do? At the end of the day there's no where to go but running to Avenue Q! You run on Avenue Q! You're friends do too. You are twenty-two and you run on Avenue Q!

But Goodgym is much more than a Puppet show...see you next week!

(all credit to Avenue Q the musical)

Two quotes to start with, one random from the internet and one direct from Caroline at The Tyrrells:

"Today’s world is fast-paced, and heavily reliant on technology. For one, students can easily forget the beauty and essence of Mother Nature. That’s why school gardens are so important." (https://ecogardener.com/blogs/news/the-importance-of-school-gardens)

*"Thank you to you and all of the other Goodgymers for their help tonight. We were so grateful to have so much fabulous help and they have done an absolutely amazing job on the mad weeds! Please could you pass on a huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended." *Caroline from The Tyrrells.

The thanks you all received and the impact for the children at Tyrrells is testament to your efforts so this report is a big thank you. For some tasks it can be hard to measure success - will the public notice the litter has gone or will they see there a less weeds but yesterday was different and the recent cricket tasks are different!

A big well done to Richard on getting to double figures for good deeds and also check out these impressive stats .

Have a great Thursday evening, Friday and weekend...

Well, I can tell you we did and 200 trees can quench their thirst tonight!

And it was another glorious evening of running and physical work to lug full watering cans from a makeshift wheelbarrow refill station to the sapling trees. A relay of straining arms muscles and pumping legs spontaneously broke out as, in true Goodgymer style, I saw the glint in the eyes of the team with total determination to complete the task.

The team from the church supported us with refills both for the trees and for us - the lemon squash under the walnut tree was most welcome. A treemendous effort from all. The 200 trees were donated by the Woodland Trust as part of the jubilee.

Rewinding to the run and the group set a great pace and powered up to St Mary Church in Broomfield. The unofficial 'most colourful leggings' prize was easily won by Becca. Perhaps Saucony will produce a Rainbow T-Shirt for those who reach 500 good deeds?!! And are there enough colourful running clothes for men? And if there were would you buy and wear them?!

Our return run had a pleasant accompanying breeze and everyone was pleased with a decent distance to log on Strava and a job well done.

Come along to Marks Hall Parkrun on Saturday or just bring some food for a picnic afterwards and also the Essex Pride event is still open for volunteers!

HOWZATTTTTTTTT

We met at the Mildmay on a lovely Summer evening and had a nice chat. Quick well done to Joe for running a 20 minute 5km, absolute insanity. Goodgym is paired with The Great Get Together (https://www.greatgettogether.org/) an initiative inspired by the late Jo Cox designed to bring people together to celebrate what they have in common. We headed to the Best Western and cajoled the troops together. We think we ended up with 16 kids raring to go!

We headed down to the park ably by Jenny via the route with least roads to cross and headed to the part of the park where Parkrun Chelmsford begins. Joel showcased his shepherding across road skills, can tell that he recently became a father and he is ready to chaperone to the Ale House as soon as possible. We split into a couple of groups to play. Good(gym) grief, I had forgotten how absolutely terrible I was. Despite warne-ings from James, I managed to be the only person bowled out twice. And it only took three balls...I did make a couple of catches. Great fun and the group seemed to take excessive pleasure in mocking me... Some special shout outs: Andy for dropping some absolute sitters, Richard for somehow managing to survive a marathon 5 balls, Laurie for dodging and ducking without knowing it, Becca for somehow running about 2km while fielding and Tav for catching someone out one handed while on his phone. We headed off back, walking the group back and making sure they got back ok.

I know the task itself isn't the most fitness orientated but it is genuinely the highlight of the week for the children. Thanks to everyone for coming and we will be back. Shame we are on honeymoon or I would be there to seek my vengeance. Hopefully next time we can also bring some footballs and it will help to get all the children out as it is really important to exercise and get some fresh air, as well as just to have fun and make them feel welcome!

On Saturday 25th June the details are here for the Parkrun with Colchester - it will be at Marks Hall, it is about a 25 minute drive from Chelmsford. Sorry we can't be there: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/when-2-become-1-goodgym-essex

See you in a couple of weeks when we hopefully are back with a tan! In the meantime, Tav will be leading some great tasks! Including a potential return to bowling doosras and fielding at silly point!