Felixstowe Run Leader Rachael shares her introduction to I Can Run and Jeffing

Hi, I’m Rachael, one of the run leaders from the Felixstowe group. I’ve been running with ICR for almost 4 years now and have been a run leader for the last 12 months.

When ICR celebrated its birthday in September 2020, it got me thinking about how being a part of this fabulous group has impacted my life over the last 4 years.

I’ve never been a sporty girl, and although I’ve dabbled with exercise over the years nothing ever stuck. I spent most of my adult life as a smoker and a drinker. The closest I ever got to a cardio workout was those nights on the dancefloor in town on a Saturday night. I had a sit down office job and sit down crafty hobbies. I loved late nights and even later lay ins…

A few years ago I realised that my lifestyle needed to change. My parents had retired and both were diagnosed with a whole host of ailments; diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety, depression, arthritis. Both had never been active in their youth and it was like being given a crystal ball. If I didn’t start to look after myself then I’d be suffering just like them. 

I finally managed to quit smoking, and the nights out were much less frequent. I started walking more and considered running but really didn’t believe I could. 

And then I heard about I Can Run, and the run walk run method know as ‘jeffing’. What a revelation that was! I signed up to a beginners course in Ipswich in the winter of 2016 and I genuinely believe this first step has changed my life. Wearing my medal after that 6 week course represents a total change in mindset for me, a very significant switch from “I can’t” to “I can”. And the start of a journey towards a healthier future.

I joined ICR as I needed to find a form of physical exercise that I could enjoy and sustain. Something which would get me outside more, and help to keep me fit. I definitely achieved that goal. But I now realise that there’s so much more to it than exercise.

My attitude towards my body has changed so much, I’ve truly gained body positivity since joining ICR. Being a part of this group of amazing woman, all totally accepting of everybody (and every “body”) gave me a confidence I never expected! Turning up to events in Lycra clothing, with greasy hair, no make-up and still having fun, being happy, not a care in the world, how liberating is that! I never would have worn a bikini on holiday if it wasn’t for ICR, and that saddens me deeply as I feel like I let myself and my body down for so many years! I feel so different about myself now it’s incredible!

I’ve had so much fun and made some great friends too. All you ladies feel like family now! I never expected that! I figured I’d maybe join in for a run every now and again, but now meeting up for park runs, race day events, sunrise celebrations etc, well those are some of my favourite days! I’ll happily get up at 5am on a Sunday when it’s race day, to think I used to roll into bed around the same time a few years ago seems unreal now!

Four years ago when I first joined ICR the best I’d hoped for was the ability to complete a 5k fun run every now and then. I’ve surprised myself by achieving so much more. Honestly, who’d have thought I’d be training for a marathon! Sadly the event was cancelled for this year, but I still managed to get up to 16 miles in training in February. My fitness has improved so much. When I look into that crystal ball now I don’t see a future me suffering like my parents do, I see a little old lady in a running vest being cheered over the finish line and handed a medal!