12 runners ran 6km to drop leaflets for the J's Hospice

As we met this evening, it was clear that autumn has arrived, and it's time to dust off headtorches for GoodGym!

We spoke about our second place at the quiz last week, Joel's disappointment with Rachel on the jackpot round, and of course Jenny's first half marathon! Well done Jenny.

After posing for a wonderful photo outside on the fitness equipment, we set off for our 200m run to the bottom of First Avenue to get on with our leafleting for the evening. The original plan was to run up each Avenue to leaflet, then back down, all the way to Seventh Avenue. The whole group sped up and back down First and Second Avenues, running so quickly that David struggled to find us. We ran out of leaflets on Third Avenue, however we still spread the word! Rather than force everyone through the ups and downs for the remaining four, we just ran up and down alternate Avenues, and had an early evening back.

Thats the last leaflet drop for a while, to Charlotte's disappointment, and Russell's too (we know it grew on you!).

By leafleting the past four weeks, we have spread the word about the important work The J's Hospice does, and hopefully managed to encourage a few people to sign up for the run on the 20th October.

Laurie

We welcomed three new faces to Goodgym tonight,**** Marianne, Russell**** and Ana and Sam returning for his second group run, I hope you all enjoyed tonights task and we see you at the next group run.

Fourteen runners set off from the uni doing some warm up exercises (a reminder, as the nights get colder, warm ups get more important to help avoid strains and pulls once you start running). Onto the high street and a 7 x 7 caterpillar all the way down and picking up David on the way. We were then 15 runners.

Our task was to leaflet drop promoting The J's 3k run on Chelmsford marathon day, we did this around the streets of Old Moulsham. This is a great task for running as you are on the go all the time, in and out of drives, up and down streets and most of the runners seem to enjoy it.

I had to break from the group and Laurie took everyone back to the Uni as I had an invite to appear on the evening show hosted by Jodie Halford to talk about all the good work Goodgym does around the city.

You can listen to the interview here at 1hr 38min in: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07mhy2n

Happy listening and running! Gerry

10 regulars and 3 new runners ran to Linnet Drive to deliver leaflets for the J's Hospice

We met at ARU, and welcomed three new runners to the group: Harriet, Sam and Manali.

After explaining the task (delivering Chelmsford Marathon leaflets for the J's hospice) and asking our regular members to behave normally for the new runners, I took an average group photo (sorry Katie), we did a little warm up, and set off.

With Rich knowing Linnet Drive and its vicinity, he was our excellent leader to navigate there and back. He even managed to pop in and see his mum, who heckled us as we ran past. Russell was keen to back mark, and he did an excellent job. Thank you both very much for your help this evening!

We agreed that the quickest method to deliver the leaflets was to split into two groups, and caterpillar our way down the street. We managed to deliver plenty of leaflets, and of course hope this encourages people to sign up.

For our jog back, we took a slightly different route. While reminiscing about the early GoodGym days, we pondered the existence of our Goodgym Chelmsford founder, Ken, who to many newer members is a complete mystery.

If you would like to take part in the Chelmsford Marathon, or the 3k fun run, or volunteer on the day, have a look at this link Chelmsford Marathon

Thanks to all for coming, and please also join us at the Golden Fleece pub quiz next Thursday, from 8pm!

Laurie

This week is** Goodgym's 10th birthday** so we thought we would celebrate in style!

Tonights task was completed by 9 runners with the task being to deliver to residential properties a leaflet promoting Chelmsford Marathon and a 3k run being held on 20th October.

"The J’s Hospice improves the lives of young adults (aged 16-40) with life-limiting conditions and their families across Essex. We provide tailored nursing and emotional care, advice and activities in the comfort of their own homes or in the community."

We discussed the Goodgym 10th birthday book and volunteering at Chelmsford parkrun for #supersaturday this week.

Chelmsford's traffic was grid locked tonight so a message on Whatsapp to let everyone know meant Julie wasn't going to get to us in time and would meet us on the way, as it it happened Julie was waiting by the Police station for us. As always a long wait for the lights to change here.

As we had a Goodgym Flag we stopped at every opportunity for a photo at local landmarks and the sign in the centre of the high street.

As we were lining up for the photo Catherine's antenna was raised spotting a Policeman chasing a suspect down the high street, before we could react Catherine and Andy set off in pursuit to apprehend the individual with the help of the officer!

I have to say that's the fastest I have seen them both run! Must be a lesson in there for our next sprint efforts!

Luckily Catherine is a Police Officer and Andy has a connection as well, so our Goodgym public spirit was in good hands.

After that excitement we headed off to the task delivering the leaflets and a few more flag photos, we soon exhausted our stock of leaflets running the streets of Moulsham.

We did an every second lamp post sprint session on the way back to the Uni for a warm down stretch.

If you want to sign up for the 3k run you can here https://www.havenshospices.org.uk/event-registration?event=chelmsford-3k-fun-run&date=chelmsford-3k-fun-run

Happy running Gerry