30 Days of Outdoor Activities in Tonbridge: Jeffing Challenge

Jeffing in Tonbridge Park

This summer, I’ve made it my mission to try as many of the outdoor sports and activities in Tonbridge as possible. And, to tell the Tonbridge Bean readers all about it – what to expect, how much it costs and local tips.

This evening I decided to start off gently with a little bit of Jeffing.

Who? You might ask.

The who – is perhaps less important. Jeffing is named after Jeff Galloway, a former Olympian. I’m sure Jeff was great, but the how is perhaps a little more relevant.

A view from beneath a large tree showcasing a sunny, open green field in Tonbridge.

A scenic view of a grassy field with a footpath alongside it, under a clear blue sky in Tonbridge.

Jeffing is a form of exercise that involves walking and running at intervals. It’s ideal for someone like me, who enjoys walking, but to be honest, doesn’t really love running. It’s a way to challenge yourself a little more than you would just by taking a stroll, but without pushing things too far.

The idea is that you commit to intervals of walking and running from the outset, rather than running and then walking when you get too tired. It has a more positive psychologic effect, than feeling like you’re just giving up. It’s more structured.

You might do timed intervals. Or use geographical markers to decide when to start running, or walking. It’s like making a little deal with yourself “OK, when I reach that tree, I must start running.” The trick is to stick to it and not cheat yourself!

The Experience

I set out to the park once I’d finished work for the day. With the temperatures high, I was keen to avoid working out in the heat of the day. I always love visiting the park just after work, it’s a time when people are out and about throwing balls for their dogs, hanging out under trees with friends, or just generally cutting loose for the evening. It’s generally pretty idyllic, although I did chuckle at the two teenage girls necking wine from the bottle on a park bench.

I decided to keep it to a 30 minute activity, just sticking to the paths around the edges of the park. My loop took me past the tennis courts, around the edge by the river (stopping to look at the house boats), over the bridge and back past the rugby pitches. Before reaching the pool, the castle and back into town.

A serene view of a tranquil pond surrounded by lush greenery and lily pads, with a large tree in the background.

A close-up view of a stone wall with flowers planted in front, set against a lush green background.

So – Jeffing? What did I make of it? I’ll be honest, I felt a bit like I was cheating when I saw the proper runners out there. Including one sprinting around with his top off (I don’t know about you, but I always think topless running is a wee bit unnecessary.) During my running intervals, I’d nod to fellow runners. Then slow things down when they were out of sight. But I liked the balance if it and I didn’t feel too sweaty afterwards.

Where + How

Practical info for anyone who wants to try it:

📍 Tonbridge Park – a small loop around the edge of the park and back past the Castle
💰 Zero – although, I did swing by Waitrose after my activity and spend a few quid on some ice-creams (the shame)
📆 No
🕒 Flexible – 20 to 30 minutes will do just fine, but you can go for longer.

My Takeaway

I enjoyed the slower walking aspects, I took time to notice the lily pads on the river, the weeping willow trees hanging over paths and to listen to the birds a bit. Yes, a proper summer evening. And afterwards, I felt energised and not exhausted. An ideal activity if you want to get outside, but don’t feel like working too hard.

Naturally, I fancied an celebratory ice-cream and took a beeline to Waitrose. It’s all about balance right?