Colchester

Group run

Cake me up before you go go

15 GoodGymers made their way 5.0km to help the Level Best Art Cafe in Colchester.

  • Colchester runner
  • Jade Jones
  • Michelle-Yoda Lewington
  • Tav
  • Emma Woollard
  • Louise
  • Vanessa Crannis
  • Ella Jeffries
  • Nick Ridler
  • Etienne
  • Lauren Pinchess
  • Marcela Vivanco
  • Colchester runner
  • Rosalind Moody
  • Helen Stephen
 
Wednesday, 19th of February 2020
 
Led by Tav
he/him

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.

Report written by Vanessa Crannis


Discuss this report

Colchester runner
Colchester runner
Thursday February 20th, 2020 09:37

Good report Vanessa.Have a good race Sunday.I know you will do yourself proud.Ian

Bob Thompson
Bob Thompson
Thursday February 20th, 2020 17:28

Congratulations Vanessa on reaching 100 GDs great report sorry i wasn't there.

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Tav
Led by Tav

Kindness is a verb - do more kind.

GoodGymers helping out
  • Back marker

    Make sure that no one is left behind

    • Colchester runner
  • Report Writer

    Be in charge of writing the session report

    • Vanessa Crannis
  • Walk Leader

    Lead a walking group to the task

    • Ella Jeffries

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Monday Group Task - Litter Pick - keep Colchester tidy

Monday 18:45 - 20:30
Led by Frazer
Mercury Theatre

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