Captains Corner

So let's recap on what we've been up to now that we are two months in to the lockdown. The EGRC Alphabet Challenge. Oh the EGRC Alphabet Challenge! What a fabulous challenge this was! The one that saw members getting out for a run to find something that started with a certain letter of the alphabet. It was Boys V Girls with the winners of the day getting one point. It turned out that unfortunately, or fortunately depending which type of chromosomes you have - U stood for Unbelievable hammering - which the Girls dished out to the Boys, 25-1! The 1 was only because the Girls had a bit of a duvet day, relaxing bath day, chilling out with a vino day, you get the picture - day. Still, at least it wasn't a complete whitewash! Very well done the Girls! The Boys doff their virtual hats to you on a job well done. Friendly competition aside, this challenge really captured the imagination and saw members getting out for a run to find all sorts of weird and wonderful things. It was lovely to hear that this challenge inspired members to get out to have a run when they otherwise would not have done. It was even more lovely to see all the Facebook posts of members so that we can see what we've all been up to.  To re-live the experience from a boys or girls perspective check out Tracey and Paul's A-Z Challenge reports and for a reminder of our wonderful selfies there is a also an Alphabet challenge quiz in the Noticeboard Section.

This challenge was the inspiration for another that has also really captured the imagination. #Runschool. This challenge, which ran for the first half of May and is just coming to an end as we type, gave members the aim of going out for a run and teaching us something by posting fabulous facts about science or nature or a bit of local history from a local place of interest. This has been fantastic as it has inspired members to not only get out and about but to learn some really fascinating things and generally impart our wisdom. Top marks everyone!

We've not only learnt a bit more about science, nature, art & history - but also about our pets! It's been lovely to virtually meet a lot of our furry (and less furry) friends following our Chairman's call to post pics, first of cats, then dogs, then just about any pet! From tortoises to bunny rabbits - you name it. What a friendly animal-loving bunch we are! I'm sure they've enjoyed having us around more than usual these past few weeks.

From cats and dogs to Wookies and Ewoks. Say what now? May the fourth saw members inspired to run a Star Wars themed 4k in and around Pomphrey Hill or elsewhere in the galaxy, thanks to our very own Princess Leah and Han Solo of EGRC, aka Steve & Anne. It was great to see so many pics of members channelling their inner Jedi's! Preserved on the EGRC Star Wars Hall of fame on the #TeamEGRC Facebook page. Well done guys.

Earlier this month also marked the 7th birthday of our Up & Coming Runners Club - aka - Monday Club! Where has the time gone!? We could not see this go unmarked so, inspired by Deb, members ventured out sometime during the week to run '5k my way'. It was great to see so many posts of members getting out to run 5k on a route that meant something to them, be that places that reminded them of the club, pubs they were looking forward to re-joining (!) or just any 5k's in honour of Monday club. Lots of members posted 7 random things they found en route as well. M-Club we miss you! But we salute you.

Speaking of Monday club - the M-Club Friendly mile session was the inspiration for another club challenge running for the first half of May and just coming to a conclusion as we type - the TTT aka Team Time Trial. This has involved members being put into randomly selected teams drawn by our Chairman, with the challenge of running a mile - the EGRC Friendly mile (up the cycle path past Anne's poo bin to Mangotsfield station) - at a time of their choosing. The fastest cumulative time of each team wins! It has been great to see members posting pics of their efforts. In truth it doesn't matter how fast or slow each member goes, it's the taking part that counts and improving on your own time is a bonus. Running a mile as quick as you can certainly provides a challenge in these lockdown times! Congratulations though to Purple Team who won the challenge by 10 members cumulatively running 1 mile in 67:49 minutes!

We of course plan to keep all these weird and wonderful games and challenges going during lockdown to keep each other inspired. Next up is Jack's EGRC Route Pursuit in the last half of May. Members can go out and run one of various routes on any given day to get points, the further from Pomphrey Hill - the more points you get. The most points also wins a prize! Fancy Garmin-style tech is optional but posting a selfie en route is of course mandatory! The time doesn't matter, it's just about getting out and about somewhere new. See #TeamEGRC Facebook page for details .... and watch this space for more fun and games coming soon!

Alongside all this running fun it's been great to have opportunities for members to see each other virtually. Those that have hopped on so far have loved taking part in the comical and creative Bingo nights on Monday and Quiz nights on Thursday, thanks to Steve & Anne and Danny respectively. These have been a breath of fresh air as an opportunity to not only test our wits/knowledge or lack-thereof but mainly just to see each other and catch up. Thank you guys, well done and long may these continue!

Happy Virtual Running all!

Graham & Wendy