Louise

The elite runners of Colchester sprung into action last night in Stanway. Well all except a particular Area Activator with multi-tasking issues! Forgetting my phone meant no keypad code so my wonderful Taskforce stepped while I retrieved the phone!

Frazertook on a healthy pace and with now he is on Strava we can all give him a thumbs up or a cheer on the Goodgym website.

The foodbank was a lot cleaner than after the Christmas rush but our mop buckets quickly turned to a 'hot chocolate' brown! WhilstLouise vacuumed the rest of us sanitized surfaces, swept and mopped!

We did a warm which required balance and coordination, then the hybrid running and driving began...the challenge to drive to our start/finish and run to intercept the team...

Great team spirit shined through with caring conversations and wacky ones too.

Goodgym Colchester (aka the full-moon wolf-pack) have transitioned into 2022 with the same enthusiasm for helping others in Colchester - perhaps even more! Tonight we ran up Mersea Road to Labrook Drive and helped Colchester Borough Homes to sweep leaves and pick litter on there car park and accessible entrances. Thanks to Steph for fetching more bags so that we could clear the leaves. Especially satisfying was the haul of plastic bottles and litter found in the dense hedge. I wonder how long they have been there and how long they would have stayed there if we had no found them? As the evening temperature dropped we thanked Steph and headed off for some sprint relays to get that cold air bursting in our lungs.

Well done everyone and welcome back Bob!

With Christmas coming and nobody wanting to risk a isolated Christmas we decided to have a coffee after Parkrun and then wrap up warm at home. It was lovely to here everyones Christmas plans and we wish everyone a safe, happy, calm and reflective Christmas.

Love from Goodgym Colchester and Goodgym Central!

PS Sorry Dan - think my brain froze.

This morning was a lovely way to support Colchester Junior Parkrun celebrate Christmas and bring a smile to the faces of all involved.

Sometimes our tasks can seem unsung as we stealthy negotiate the streets of Colchester on a Wednesday evening in the dark and do not see the people who benefit. With the Christmas carols a fortnight ago bringing smiles to residents and today seeing the kids, parents and dedicated volunteers doing so well, we felt a real warmth on a cold day,

We will have a festive training session on Wednesday before well-deserved indulgence over Christmas.

Merry Christmas you lovely Goodgymers

Welcome Frazer to the GG family and bravo Dan for joining the 100 club!

So down to business...Eight goodgym elves got down to business at level best, armed with wrapping paper and sticky tape and some top tunes, DJ'd by Tavvy T. In a very short time, a big pile of gift wrapped goodies appeared, saving Alison hours of time, for which she was very grateful. The goodgym crew then headed off for the 12 exercises of Christmas, to burn off all those mince pies!

Isn't our little island marvelous! Dark winters and leafy madness...well for our older folk leaves covering steps and paths is a problem.

So Goodgym do what we can to help and tonight four of us and Susan did just that. Pride of Essex certified Dan, marathon hero Ella and super-maths mum Louise filled up there bags in the cold winter air - a hint of snow perhaps in East Anglia? We will see...

If you are reading this please sign up for an Xmas Sing song next week...imagine those folk in the care homes and supported living, having been locked down for a long time, could do with a sing-a-long and a laugh!