Slugarmageddon at slug-tastic Fairlop Waters

Sun's out, GoodGym's out

This was a lovely evening at our additional group run location in Fairlop Waters in the effort to spread the joy of GoodGym-ing all around Redbridge! The sun was out and so were the litter pickers! Everyone arrived by running, walking, cycling or tubing to meet outside the Boathouse for our weekly group run.

After a little bit of a confusion, we were able to leave our bags in the container owned by Fairlop Waters Boats and Bike Hire for safety and start our warm up ( this is also when Julia started to realise she had the conversation in her head about using the container and not with lovely Peter, who kindly allowed us to use it tonight - we must have a boating party to say thank you before end of season!)

It's time to run

After a warm up, we had a nice jog around the lake and on the trails eventually joining the main path to make it a 3km evening run/walk to the task, we had different levels of energy in the group so we separated, naturally, into two groups with the first group running ahead and the second group enjoying the journey in a more relaxed (no less effective!) manner. But we all did run without anyone resorting to this:

You gotta be slugging me

It all started innocently enough with getting bin bags out and starting to pick the litter. This patch of road is full of take away containers and many empty and full bottles and cans of alcohol, one wonders what happens there at night....

But it seems that it not only people that liked to enjoy beer in this area... enter: SLUGS!

And not just slugs, but slugs in a beer bottle trapped for possibly a very long time, with a very specific, ahem, aroma that made James proclaim that for the first time he wished he had a flu so that his nose was blocked! And then it was left to Dharmesh to 'dispose' of the slugs in the bottle so that it can be put in the bag but it was so disgusting that Dharmesh couldn't help but exclaim: "THIS IS A SLUGFEST!" Watch that video on our social media;)

Sun's down, GoodGym's out

After eventful litter-picking and a lovely banter we got together into two groups - Speedy Gonzaleses Dharmesh, Hélène and James ran another 3k back to base to start the cool-down; whilst Chilled Cheetas Linda, John and Jenny walked back through what was feared was to be Julia's 'famous short-cut' to make it back in time for a stretch down with the group.

It was such a lovely evening and group to get out there, be active to #DoGoodGetFit. Well done everyone!!!!