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Even if you're a runner, you may not have heard the term "Jeffing" before. It's a method of alternating between running and walking and it's become a popular way to train for long-distance races.

It's particularly timely, as we appear to be in the middle of a second running boom, the first having taken off in the 1970s and 80s. You can see it in the popularity of parkrun, the rise in mass participation events, and the seemingly endless market for running shoes, watches and other gear.

But despite all this enthusiasm, the idea of running can still be off-putting for many people. Some believe that unless they can run continuously at a certain pace or distance, they aren't a "real runner", especially when they find themselves comparing their progress with others.

That's where Jeffing comes in. This walk-run technique allows people to keep moving forward at their own pace. It balances effort and recovery in a way that makes endurance running more accessible to a wider range of people and abilities.

But where did Jeffing come from?

The concept was invented by American Olympian and coach, Jeff Galloway in the 1970s. It's a strategic way of combining walking and running, sometimes with jogging too.

Galloway describes it as a revolutionary approach that reduces fatigue, prevents injuries and makes running more enjoyable. "By alternating between running and walking runners can go farther, recover faster, and feel stronger during and after their workouts," he says.