RUNNING FOR GOOD

What a splendid afternoon for a lap around Carsington Water; the sun was shining, lovely cool running weather & the cafe was still open when we got back to the Visitor Centre, the ultimate reward!

We were delighted to be joined by a complete newbie to GoodGym - Linda - for who the (almost) eight miles was a new distance personal best! Along with Linda, regular faces to the GG Derby clan met in the main carpark, shivering in the cold to begin with, before we began a steady jaunt around the reservoir.

We soon warmed up, regularly regrouping to take some lovely snaps & of course, a photo of Sam sitting down on the job, in a wooden armchair perfectly placed for a break! Just the cuppa missing from his hand...

The benefits of social runs in a beautiful location are obvious as we smiled, chatted & encouraged each other around the route. For some, a steady Saturday jog & for others, an opportunity to push current limits & set a new record for distance. Whatever the reason for attending, we all connected & supported one another, completing the full lap with smiles.

Conversation soon turned to these benefits of running & the strange phenomenon that means runners remember runs & races more fondly than maybe it actually felt at the time (we've all been there!), almost with rose tinted glasses, meaning that even when running is really hard, we still sign up to more races & events once were back in the comfort of our homes! This phenomenon is due to a cocktail of feel-good chemicals that is released into the body with movement & as well as making us remember runs fondly, it also helps us to connect & cooperate with the people we run with, on a greater level.... awesome!

So, with new bonds & friendships sealed by those feel good chems, we arrived back at the cafe ready to enjoy cake & coffees, the perfect Saturday afternoon.

THANK YOUS

Thanks so much to everyone who came along & to those who tried to join us, but didn't quite make it - we missed you Ash!.

We'll plan another social run soon, if you have a location in mind, let me know & lets get something in the diary.

Big Loves x