Does jeffing count?A while ago (couple of years) I heard about jeffing. I tried it out, and found that if I jeffed 5k the time was about the same but I felt less tired afterwards.
Fast forward to this epic run that I so wanted to join in with but it's been a year of not so much running . I knew I would need some walking breaks so set my watch to 1 min run 1 min walk last night in readiness.
A lousy night, too much food and just couldn't sleep, 3.5hrs registered on my watch. Luckily I'd set my alarm otherwise I'd have slept the morning away.
I was sitting drinking tea when my phone buzzed and a message from daughter just said Good luck
So I thought I'd better go.
By the time I'd driven to the river, started off my watch, NRC 10k head starts, music and Rungo, I was setting off a little late.
I think the watch started with a run but I was doing a warm up walk and it took me over the bridge before I set off running. I've been chasing negative splits for years and I just can't do them, if I start as slow as possible I just can't speed up later so had decided today to do what felt comfortable. The head start runs are always positive and motivational and the first couple of k's went by quickly. My legs felt strong, the walk breaks were brisk and I was running better and better
At around 4k the track split, right it looked fairly smooth but like it was headed for the road, left joined the rough stony grassy river track, I opted for left and regretted it. My running became slower, the walking became longer but suddenly I was at the half way point. Turned and head back to smoother wider pathways.
I really enjoyed being near the river, passing runners, cyclists, dogs, walkers and children all going the other way, passing a few walkers and being passed by runners cyclists and sometimes even dogs going my way. The trees are fresh and green, the bluebells fading but still blue, the cowslips shining yellow in the long grass. The smell of hawthorn and other trees lovely as I pass by.
Once again I was feeling strong and running smoothly. All the walking with my neighbour has made a difference.
By 8k I'm slowing down but it doesn't matter, I'm still going and as I headed across the bridge and back towards my car 10k was done.
I got a bit emotional on and off but so pleased I did this. Thank you Cmoi linda9389 and TailChaser for all you've done to organise this for us.
Fastest ever 10k at 1:35:34 my previous fastest was 1:43
It was a bit strange driving myself home and making my own tea, but it is what it is and I can't change the past, I can only change myself to have a better future.
Written by
SueAppleRun
Graduate10
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That's true, and there's always housework, gardening and painting if I get bored. Oh and clarinet and saxaphone to play, I've started a new jumper too, I can't believe I'm so busy now not going to work
I love a bit of Jeffing, my knees really appreciate it. I usually do 10 k with 5 mins run and 2 mins walk but started with much smaller gaps ( a big hill will throw it all out anyway). Just continue with it as you are and experiment with different ratios. Your post is a lovely read and your 10k is very impressive, congratulations x
Thank you, I've only run 4x10k before and each one slower than the last, I'm going to set my watch for the C25k intervals as my neighbour runs through the programme that way I'll increase the running at a slightly faster pace
oh well done Sola! I haven’t run today for various reasons, hoping to go tomorrow 🤞🏼…you’ve given me a goal to reach…I haven’t run that fast for almost 2 years!
I’ve tried jeffing, but I’m not very good at the transitioning…both physically and mentally…I get myself in a muddle!
Aww thanks, I like to keep running but knew if I did that today I'd be crawling the last few kilometres, at least this way I was still running short intervals by the end and not exhausted. My walking is almost as fast as my running though and it gives me a chance to stretch my shoulders and deep breathe
Jeffing or any way forward all counts as far as I’m concerned. You’ve helped me to think of maybe trying for a 10k at some point, that hadn’t been on my radar at all (I did these sort of distances about 30 years ago!).
Thank you, I did those sort of distances 45 years ago but have only run 4 at this distance before today and was surprised how good it felt, 18 months ago it took me 1:01 hr to cover same ground
Fantastic Sola, very well done on your 10k & at a personal best too🎉👌...funny that jeffing can often speed things up & yet it leaves you less tired, it's a win/win. 🏃♀️🚶♀️🏃♀️
I can imagine life is quite a roller coaster for you with all the ups & downs...I'm so pleased that the running & this forum helps with the ups.
A suggestion re: going home to an empty house. My Mum has an Alexa which she leaves on when she goes out...now as she comes in the door she shouts 'Hi Alexa, pop me some soul music on' or 'Alexa, put radio 2 on'. Alexa replies & puts on what she's asked for while Mum's still taking her coat off and popping the kettle on. Just a thought as it's helped Mum get rid of any negativity associated with coming home 💕
Thank you. I've resisted Alexa, I might get one one day, but my cat does come to greet me, winds round my legs to try and trip me up then bites me when I stroke him but he's good company and is always nearby. I don't feel negative coming home, it's beginning to feel like mine, rather than ours but still early days
Can't believe how well it went, apart from the snot and tears of course but we can't have everything, and without that rough slow patch I think I'm in with a chance of going a bit faster
I really did thanks, and it went quicker than I expected I haven't run many 10k's but seem to remember feeling like it was taking forever this one felt really good
Wow, that’s fantastic, especially after such a bad night. You describe the run so well that I felt I was with you all the way. Beautiful run, and Well done! 😊
Fantastic 10k run this morning AND you knocked 7.5+ minutes off your PB. Good to hear you enjoyed jeffing. Hope you can have a well-earned relaxing afternoon. 👏👏
I found it odd when I first started running on my own, as I’d started out with a friend about 20 years ago and stopped 3yrs later when she moved. And then again with my daughter, 5 years ago, but then she moved away because of her job so I was solo once more. She’s back now but much faster than me so we don’t run together now
I know it’s not the same as you but you just get used to doing things slightly differently and you have lots of wonderful memories of you and Willow running together xx
You are so right, it's about what I want to do now and that's what I thought at the end that I did it for me, I've been running solo for months now because Willow, wasn't running any more but it's very different because I can go as long as I like because I used to cut runs short because I knew he was waiting. I'll always miss him hugely but I have to make my life and running helps.
I join everyone else in saying it all counts Sola. Very well done on reaching your 10k distance again and getting a PB. Whatever works for you is good so be proud, you are still a runner.
Sounds like a great run. Yes JEFFING counts. I met people Jeffing when I ran a half marathon last year .I did my plodding run, they Jeffed and it was around the 6 mile point that I first noticed them so they were clearly as fast jeffing as I was running..
Very well done and huge congratulations on your PB!What a wonderful read. Your last paragraph made me slightly teary, - especially the bit about making your own tea. Bittersweet but full of hope for the future.Oh and IMHO Jeffing absolutely counts. Ive not explicitly told anyone but I Jeff most of my runs, apart from speed runs, these days 30:30. I enjoy it much more and it really helps with recovery.
It makes me less exhausted which means I can keep closer to the early pace all the way through, better than running as far as I can then having to take walk breaks because I'm shattered.
Thank you Floss, there's lots of smudges to this new chapter but I'm getting up each day and building my life. It's not easy but change has to happen x
You should be so, so proud of what you achieved today. Just brilliant. There’s a great podcast I listened to about the power of the run walk and how it’s great strategy to use. That was from Runner’s World! Many people are actually faster doing it that way. I’m almost certainly going to be jeffing my next event and I can’t wait.
You’ve done a marvellous thing today and I couldn’t be happier for you. What an inspiration xxx
Thank you, my problem is however slow I start I then can't speed up I just get slower, but know if I go at my happy pace I can't keep going past 5 or 6k and end up exhausted, so run walk means I can keep the pace up for longer and don't come home totally shattered
Huge Congratulations to you Sola, you did magnifcently. I am enjoying jeffing my runs I feel much better having those moments to recover. I hope you feel very proud of yourself, your daughter and all your friends on here certainly are!
Great post Sola, really well done. Change happens whether we want it to or not, so we may as well get on board and try and guide that change into something we can live with.
Wow Sola, just Wow! That was an incredible run; a huge slice off your previous PB. I am pretty sure that anyone could Jeff an Olympic 10k without breaking any rules if they wanted to (might struggle to make the qualifying times I guess, but then we all would!). It definitely counts! I am starting the day with a smile, because of you and your run. Thanks. I have my own battle coming up; I will draw inspiration from you.🙂
I wasn't sure I could so thank you, it was just one if those runs that felt good, I was surprised and glanced at my watch at just under 5k thinking if I'd turned right I may have made 80 minutes but that track isn't for speed running + bir even my speed running) I'll turn right next time 😄Battle away, you are amazing
That's just amazing! You pushed and pushed and ended up with an amazing PB. You should be very, very proud of yourself - I know Willow would have been very proud of you ♥️What a positive closing statement too. You are so right all we can affect is our future selves - and our future selves are very much worth our best efforts 🥰
A huge well done to you for everything you achieved yesterday, not just the run xxx
My neighbour said to me I'm strong, in the early days and I replied I didn't feel strong, I still don't feel strong but I do things so that I can do them in the future, walking with her daily has given me focus, I have to be ready when she gets home from work because I won't let her down, I've realised that walking and starting to run with her has also made me stronger. I'd initially hoped to do the HM yesterday but what with one thing and another plus COVID in April I'm really pleased I could run 10k and know how much running and this forum has made a difference. Later in the week I will have another go at the Rungo soundtrack though.
Thank you Linda, it's runners like yourself that inspire me
Well done! It must have been difficult to motivate yourself after all you’ve been through recently, so well done!
Also, thankyou for your posts, I always thought Jeffing was sort of cheating, but you have reassured me that it’s not & it’s another ‘tool’ in the box, thankyou x
Oh thank you, I thought jeffing was run as fast as you can then walk to recover, my first go at it was horrible, I feel it's sort of cheating but as part of building stamina it's only like the first couple of weeks of C25k and I'm running more now I have time, this retirement lark is wonderful, even after the last month or so I'm enjoying not going to work x
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I did iiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!!! (10K that is)
10k for team HU
I did it too. 10k never thought it possible
10k baby!!! So happy but feeling awful with it.
Did my first 10k (or doesn’t it count?)