Goodgym is about working as a team and not about individuals, which is why Jane thought it would be nice to showcase one of our training sessions with a quick bee run! Jane really did insist, even bringing along Chris, her brother, to witness.

It just so happened that they were all bees that I needed to get to finish the challenge. Joel arrived dressed like a condom despite the fact it wasn't raining and then we headed off!

Everyone was excited to see a rainbow through Chelmsford and even more excited to see the legendary big dog complete the bee run. Chris was being reassured it isn't normally as far a run when he stepped in a massive puddle, we all hope he avoids trenchfoot.

We arrived roughly 4 minutes behind schedule, a small price to pay, with bets taken on Fay's first words when we got there.

Rich gave up halfway through weeding for a fantasy football draft, stressing he was quite a catch for the ladies as he is now in three separate ones. Andy told a tale of his first ever gig being at what is the St Lukes hall and carrying his stuff there in a wheelbarrow. I'd love a video but they didn't invent them for another roughly 200 years post gig. I gossiped with Jen about local houses for sale and it is amazing she is getting back into running using GoodGym!

After some stellar work we posed for a photo and were invited back soon. Sallyann ran off to get home at quite the pace, i did get a video but alas can't upload to this page.

We headed off back our separate ways. If you'd like to try the bee challenge you have until Monday to get involved and win a mega prize!

Only three of us met at ARU for the run, so we set off promptly and together to our task at St Luke's Church. We had a good chat about parenting and fitness, with Jane thankfully leading the way amongst the chat.

Fay and Sallyann were already digging out the weeds, so the rest of us chose our tools (some deadly looking) and joined in. EVENTUALLY Rich strolled over and swept up the weeds we'd been digging up.

We unfortunately disturbed a few ants in the process, but we did dig out plenty of weeds. So grateful for Richard E bringing his strength and digging out the more tough weeds.

Excellent job everyone, and we'll be back again for more weeding soon!

Laurie

A new location, a new task and a huge turnout!

Maybe it’s the back-to-school vibes around, or maybe everyone just wanted a good look at the meat and fish bazar over the road, but FOURTEEN of us turned out on Wednesday and ran 3.5 km to St Luke’s Church in Moulsham Lodge.

We welcomed a couple of new faces at the gym and they’ve already proven to be good ones. Robert outdressed us all – despite not even having a GoodGym top yet – with his snazzy matching socks and shorts in unloseable multicolour.

It was also Heidi’s first time joining us and she lay down the marker immediately in a Parkrun 50 top. She didn’t mention a post-Parkrun fry-up once, and she’s also doing the Great North Run this weekend with Robert. Folks, we’ve found ourselves a runner.

David was run leading and had represented us with Laurie at a garden party earlier that day. We’d been invited in thanks for some of the gardening work we’d done, so thanks to the organisers, and apparently the shortbread was “excellent.” They also met Rich’s dad, who is absolutely lovely and wasn’t surprised at all that Rich spends most of his time with us just having a chat. In fact, he was so lovely that it could steer a big decision: there’s still time to put money on baby Chatterjee being called Keith…

Walkers were out in force as we also welcomed Jane back to GoodGym. She definitely helps to keep her husband in line, and also managed to stop him getting lost somewhere behind Lidl.

With 14 people, weeding the paths at the front of the church (or the top of the church…?) didn’t take long, despite stopping for a photo break. They were cleaner than celebrity skin in a razor advert by the time we were done.

Neither newbie seemed scared by Joe brandishing a screwdriver and asking if anyone needed their cracks seen to – it’s like they’ve been here for years. Jess even suggested that be tonight’s headline. St Luke’s have already shared the photo and other churches in the area are already interested! Send us an email to request us, just put “GodGym” in the subject line please. And while we’re talking support, if you’re a Marksies Spender then you can link your Sparks card to us and we get some funding every time you shop there. Win-win!

Thanks for a great task, good luck up north to Heidi and Robert, and see you all next week!