The team of four then three (Joel, Erin, Laurie and half of David) got a solid 31, but the other team of four (Rich, Andy, Martin and Joe) got 37 and came in second place.

We couldn't believe Joel got the TfL question wrong, or that Joe knew LG stands for Lucky Goldstar.

Well done teams, maybe first place next time?!

Firstly, now I know how to change my profile picture, make sure you check out my new picture.

We met at the gym and lamented the fact some of us had worn undershirts the weather had changed so much. We chatted about JogOn, details below - we can grab the spare shoes from you anytime but 21 June is the date.

GoodGym has paired up with JogOn to help us recycle our old running shoes. We'll be collecting them in Chelmsford at the weekly session on the 21st of June, but if you can't make that and you would like to donate your shoes, let us know when you can drop them off. Find out more about JogOn in your weekly fitness email.

We headed out to the allotments in Baddow at one hell of a pace, Joel almost getting his arm knocked off by a bus, and the rest of us wheezing away.

We saw Fay and Sallyann beavering away and dug right in. They were incredibly impressed with the amount we got done in turning the soil and said it saved them a few days work. I did somehow manage to trap myself in though. That part of the community allotment will be used by the Brownies to plant strawberries and blueberries, and the other part for squash and pumpkins. They can plant this week now thanks to us! Check out those before and after photos.

We meandered the scenic route back to ARU, Erin has agreed to mentor me for an accounting exam, and Joe lamenting that Boris Johnson was no longer mayor of London. Good work guys!

Don't forget this Sunday 4th, we have the pub quiz at the Ale House from 6:45 (you can bring your own food in).

We also have booked in on July 13th the Chelmsford beer festival - you need to book tickets but you get £10 of beer vouchers and a beer glass.

see you there!

12 GoodGymer's ran and walked to deliver leaflets for four local causes

We had a great mix of regulars, returners and a first timer for our second multiple leaflet delivery of the year. In particular, it was great to meet Erin for her first GoodGym session, welcome Doug back after a break, and Joe P for his third GoodGym of 2023.

Apart from Joel's surprisingly voluminous beard, the main news of the evening was Joe M's shock when I announced that it would be his 50th good deed, a brilliant achievement over the past 18-ish months. Excellent work Joe, can't wait to see your shiny black GoodGym t-shirt!

After jogging up to Chelmer Village, we saw the three familiar faces of Fay, Sallyann, and Roxy (in a nice new red GoodGym t shirt) ready with bags of leaflets to hand out.

We got off to a slightly concerning start, losing Martin for around 5 minutes in the first few roads, but he did reappear and confirmed that he had been quite lost. Rich continued to lead us around the maze like side roads whilst simultaneously discussing a fitness custard business venture with Joe M, and Richard kept running out of leaflets.

In total, we delivered leaflets to 400 houses, but no surprise with such a hardworking group, and I think the most people we've had since before 2020!

Well done and see you all soon,

Laurie

9 GoodGymer's ran and walked to pick litter

We met up without much of a plan for our litter picking, as every path around Chelmsford seemed to be tidy already. Joel had a couple of ideas, so Fay and Sallyann set off walking to our second location, whilst the rest of us took a slightly longer route to Brook St, where we found plenty of litter, mostly trapped behind a wire fence.

Following a fairly successful collection of litter, we carried on to our second location between the station and park, but not before we spotted a familiar face loitering outside his work. We stopped to look at Rich through the fence for a short while, and jogged to the park.

We managed to find Fay and Sallyann eventually, who had already collected so much litter that they had got rid of their bag! Russell spotted multiple cans of one of his favourite drinks, so the report had to be named after the occasion.

We jogged back to our base and after most of the team had left, David arrived, which led to another photo not of the task.

Well done everyone on a successful litter pick, and see you next week for leafletting!

And how could I forget, congratulations to Jenny, one of our longstanding members, for getting married to James (honorary GG social member) at the weekend!

Laurie

"Stay frosty, guys" once said the legend that is Muzzy Izzet.

And that's what we were on a glorious May evening about to embark on this Wednesday's run.

Tonight's task was to canvas some leaflets for Nightstop , Farleigh Hospice and Chelmsford Carnival. Fay had lovingly spent the afternoon turning them into convenient bundles making them easy for us to post. Thx Fay.

The usual chatty run through the city and park and we were in the westlands estate in no time with Fay there waiting with leaflets ready to be posted.

Splitting into 2 groups we made light work (again chatting as we posted) until all leaflets were distributed and then it was time to make our way back to base. Joe was unaware that Chelmsford had its very own miniature railway and we were more than happy to show him where the tracks lay.

Back to base, still in glorious sunshine we said our goodbyes for yet another job well done.

A big shout out to Jenny who is getting married this Friday, Have a great day Jenny and congratulations from us all at Goodgym.

Next week task will be a litter pick with the fabulous Laurie leading the way.

Thanks all for reading

Run Happy

Rich

9 GoodGymer's tidied up a community garden

We were glad to welcome Joe P back for a second time in 2023, and Rachel back from a long break too!

No one was keen to run lead, so we all set off together, and after a brief chat about which the best fish and chip shop is in Chelmsford (Martin and Jenny suggested the one in Writtle), we headed into our task to find Fay, Sallyann and our task owner Tess.

Our task was to improve the space for families to use as a community garden. Richard joined Fay and Sallyann in cleaning the green portacabin, Rachel chose the pea planting box to clear, and Martin, Jenny and the two Joes helped to clear the prickly hedges.

Well done everyone, the garden looked so much better after our trip!

We jogged back a slightly different route to take us over 5km.

Next week we have our super leaflet drop, see you there!

Laurie