A bright eyed and fleet footed group of 15 Goodgymers gathered at Colchester Leisure Centre for a wonderful Wednesday night of running and helping in the community.

Before heading off, Tav reminded everyone of Saturday's (22nd February) afternoon mission run to The Cannons to help clear the leaf debris left behind from the recent storms and make it a safer environment for the residents. We need a friendly and willing team to make this happen so please sign up using the website and enjoy time running then sweeping, with like-minded people.

He also promoted the annual GoodGym Shindig, a chance for a weekend with other lovely GoodGymers blitzing ideas, socialising, exercising and helping to move the organisation on to ever better things. Again, details on the website or speak to Tav.

We were able to congratulate Etienne on achieving 10+ deeds and Vanessa on reaching 100. Etienne's huge smile spoke volumes and, as I'm Vanessa, I can write that the journey to getting my wings has been a joy and hugely owing to the friendlier than friendly Colchester runners and an excellent coach. Thank you and well done Etienne. Brighton half marathon for Nick and Vanessa this weekend so let's hope for fair weather!

Tonight's venue was Level Best Art Cafe which was in need of a spruce up. Ella led the walkers and Tav led the runners in a well rehearsed warm up on route with high legs, leg flicks and lunges. We sploshed through the park and up Castle Road, chatting and sharing torchlight. We were met by Colin who talked through the learning opportunities provided by the Dacon Trust for people with disabilities to upskill in cooking, art and gardening. We are hopeful that some participants may also be able to exercise with GoodGym which would be superb. Then the cleaning magic! All was slickly done with great team work and lots of elbow grease; masterly floor mopping, wiping down of tables, chairs and skirting and a thorough clean of the art room. The bathroom cleaning team made the room sparkle and kudos to Louise who stretched all over the floor to remove sticky mess! We were rewarded with delicious chocolate cake, handmade by Level Best students and Colin shared insight on current projects. We admired the art and took contact cards and links to blogs, connecting with the community the GoodGym way!

Our run back to Leisure World was made easier with a snappy warm up of static sprints and then we flew up the high street, through Balkerne gate and down Balkerne hill. Walkers and runners united and speedier people were kept working with extra sprint runs. Our session ended with a thorough cool-down led by Tav, who threw in a ski-ing stretch to manipulate the ankles and an elongated curtsey which flexed our muscles but made us into rather pathetic-athletic ballerinas!

Well done everybody and hope to see you all on the 26th February for an energetic Colchester in Bloom.

Tonight (or last night if you are reading this tomorrow) fifteen superstars set about dead-heading flowers in our wonderful town centre for the magnificent Colchester in Bloom - who keep our town so floral and colourful.

We started with the news that Goodgym Windsor and Maidenhead will be opening soon and can not wait to see their reports. Also the running heroes of the weekend were Fay Sibley, Ian Bown and Emily White who all ran well under two hours on a windy, tough half marathon in Great Bentley. Superb.

Tonight our good deed led us to five kilometers in distance and countless dead-headed pansies and primulars. Turns out finding the dead flower heads is harder than one would imagine...not that 3 years ago I ever imagined I would do something like this. On that note a huge thank you to Ian and Ella for getting me a 200 good deeds GG T-Shirt with Tav 1 on the back. I LOVE IT. On a personal note Goodgym has provided friends for life, a purpose outside of social care that fills me with a sense of achievement and the love of my life. (Try to keep your food down right?)

Our loop of the town centre ended at Balkerne Hill where we completed a pyramid. A pyramid I hear you ask? Each Goodgymer, whether walking or running, decided their own distance to travel up the hill starting with a short run, then a medium distance run and a long run. This was followed by the medium run and the short run again. Even the men with impressive facial hair were in awe...not only because we picked litter on the hill but also our spirit and effort.

Thank you Goodgymers.

Firstly a huge Goodgym Colchester welcome to Claire and Helen who ran and walked to their first good deed. Their documents are checked and the journey with Goodgym has began.

Secondly tonights task was saved by our very own Vanessa who was able to unlock the Foodbank because no-one was available to open up. Vanessa not only runs with us but gives up her time to volunteer at the Foodbank too. With the secret code for the key safe stored in her epic memory Vanessa was our mystic key.

Ian, our walk leader, and Claire set off early as they walked to the Foodbank whilst the rest of us warmed up in the familiar way...high knees, bum flicks, side steps and lunge walks. We chatted and jogged our way to Colchester Foodbank where we met speed-walkers Ian and Claire.

At the Foodbank our regulars helped the new members with the task and we swept, mopped and dusted our way to a sweet smelling story of success.

Vanessa summarised the importance of our job:

"The Foodbank is very busy during the week and the staff and volunteers do not have time to clean."

The beauty of a walk leader is that it gives everyone the option to walk and Jules was able to join Ian and Claire to stride up East Hill where we caught them up. We did some inclined lunge walks and static leg strength exercises before again running and walking back to base to stretch and look forward to next week and Parkrunning at the weekend.

Well done gang.

It was great to see you all tonight with Colchester traffic problems making life hard. We welcomed Mark for his first run and it was brilliant to see him slot into the action.

We started with the news of our starter session, January challenge updates and GG race team news. Keep logging your training and doing good!

The misty night meant an atmospheric run through the town centre to Plum Hall were the ever enthusiastic Rebecca met us. We scooped and swept 8 bags of leaves and litter away from vital paths to help the mobility of the residents. Smashing.

The exercise took advantage of popular running location Abbey Fields and the well placed lampposts. Sprint and recover between lampposts was the order and the troops responded.

An impressive effort and distance achieved tonight proves that not to mention a well executed task.

Next week we go to our friends at the foodbank to clean the warehouse.

Welcome to 2020. A new year and a new decade with a new member Abigail who showed us what she was made of in a great first session.

The news of all the Goodgym goings on and achievements across the country flowed thick and fast. Most exciting is the January challenge and for Goodgym Colchester to do as well as possible on the national league table for good deeds and participants.

It was great to see everyone on a super return to action in which we ran to Middlebrough Fountain to clear leaves. Although there are only 2 beautiful trees there, the amount of leaves is incredible and Pam (Colchester in Bloom legend) briefed us pick leaves up and litter but not bark. The major bulk of the leaves was dealt with by our 17 heroes and then the details to allow the lovely grasses and plants to breath and flourish. Magic work finished off with a photo and some selfie madness.

We were not quite done. Goodgym never shy away from hard work and Balkerne Hill awaited. The instructions were to work at each runners best individual effort. Go down the hill, sprint up and walk down until feeling nicely recovered and repeat 4 times. So, so well done everyone.

Our task was not quite done. Because we love Colchester in Bloom we agreed to plant some flowers in the boxes outside the Townhall on the way back to base. In spring Colchester will look colourful and vibrant and we play our part. I hope you feel as proud as me!

Our gentle, downhill run back to Leisure World ended and we stretched and thought about our goals and hopes for 2020.

Saturday we treecycle and here are the details

Last year was a great one and we hope this year improves on that! GG Colchester has a perfect vision for 2020.