I hope that you will be able to look back with pride on all the runners that you've have helped during the time of Takeley Running Group. You've also brought a lot of people together and as such brought a lot of happiness. From my point of view, I know that I'd never have had the confidence to sign up to a marathon without your guidance. I'm still amazed that I managed to get to the start line without suffering any major injuries. I will always look back with pride on that one.
Alex
Being a member of TRG was pivotal in making me love running. Your enthusiasm for your sport and for teaching us to be the best we could was incredible.
Without your support, guidance & training plan I would never have completed my first (and only) marathon. Still one of the best days of my life.
The coffee and cake chats and the Christmas parties were always fun and really enjoyable.
Mike & I loved our time being part of such a friendly & inclusive group.
I still hope to get my running legs back out one day.
Very best wishes for your next chapter Josie. X
Emma Hayward
I have loved being part of TRG over the last two years. I joined in the hope of becoming a better runner and making new friends and I have done both of those things so thank you Josie. I look forward to continuing and supporting your Friday morning sessions xx
Lisa Wilke
End of an era, but the beginning of a new chapter for you. What you have taught me has been invaluable and much appreciated. I am glad Fridays will continue, I do enjoy those.
Thank you xx
Annie Hall
Sad to hear this news, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. Ten years is an incredible commitment, and I can only imagine the dedication it took to keep the group going through all the highs and lows.
Josie, thank you for all the time, energy, and passion you put into creating and leading the group for so long. I have such fond memories of those Wednesday night sessions—whether it was drills in the scorching heat on the Flitch or battling the freezing cold during whistle sessions around the estate. More than just training, the group brought together such a wonderful community of like-minded runners, and it was always a pleasure to attend.
I truly appreciated the structure the sessions gave to my running, and the advice and guidance you so generously shared were invaluable. Even after moving away, I still carry those lessons with me and apply them to my training today.
Wishing you all the best in whatever comes next.
Christopher Delves
I loved every minute coming to your group on a Wednesday and a Friday Josephine Sheffield such a friendly and welcoming group, the best years of my running :)
I wish you all the best and I really must try and pop along one Friday morning xx
Sally Snowden
I was fortunate enough to receive a leaflet advertising Takeley Running Group in a race pack about eighteen months ago. I had been running for about four years at the time, but felt that my performance was plateauing, if not deteriorating. I dropped Josephine a tentative email and was extremely impressed when she responded within an hour. She suggested that it would be best if we had a chat on the phone, so that she could get an informed view of what my experience and my expectations were, and so that I could get a “feel” for whether her coaching and the group were what I was looking for.
From that initial contact, Josephine has been nothing but supportive and encouraging. I went along to my first session with Takeley Running Group that week and have hardly missed one since! The other runners are always so friendly and welcoming. I think one of the greatest coaching challenges is probably to stop the chat so we can get the session started! Having said that, we all work hard, and the training is cleverly planned by Josephine, so that runners of all abilities can participate and really benefit from the activities.
Each week, Josephine plans a different session for us, so there is no chance to get bored. The activities are fun and Josephine always explains the thinking behind what we are doing. We start our running with a comprehensive warm up and set of drills and end with a series stretches, which Josephine leads, taking time to check that everyone knows what they are doing and why they are doing it. While the group run, Josephine moves between the members, checking their technique and giving advice.
Between sessions, Josephine is available to offer support and guidance. I have also attended a couple of track sessions with Josephine, which I feel that my running has really benefited from, and which have been great fun.
Since I started running with Josephine my 5K time has gone from 28.51 to 25.23, my 10K from 56.40 to 55.28 and my half marathon from 2h08 to 2h02, but it is not just the times that have improved; I enjoy my running again and that is thanks to Josephine.
Melanie of Takeley
Josephine has been my coach at 1500m-race distance ever since I starting at my club 2 years ago. During that short period, my time has improved by 54 seconds and I am now ranked 7th in the UK for my age group. Training sessions with my club are always well planned; different from week to week which keeps it interesting. Although sessions can be hard, being coached by Josephine is still fun and I always look forward to training nights.
Sadie
Age 12
1500m & 800m Club Athlete Essex
I would just like to say a massive thanks to Josephine for being a wonderful teacher. I have learnt so much from her during our running sessions and she is always polite offering loads of encouragement, even when I am struggling and feel like I cannot go on you, Josephine is there cheering me on!
When we first met I had a specific goal I wanted to achieve. I approached Josephine with with the aim of helping me and the although my goal has now changed she has kept my spirits up. Thanks to her support I can now run a 5k without stopping which I never would have managed before, and with her help I am now in training for a 10k. I have learnt that I can push myself further each time I run, surprising even myself and because of Josephine's attitude and positive encouragement I cannot wait to attend my next 1-2-1 session. I also love the group run on a Friday where we share our experiences and have a laugh over a cuppa afterwards.
The Takeley Running Goup members also give encouragement, making me feel welcome and part of a team.
Thank you again Josephine for your continuing support and friendship.
Louise of Braintree
Josephine showed me what to focus on to run in good style and quickly. She has taught me how to train more intelligently without necessarily running more miles. It has worked and I have reduced my half marathon time. I expect to continue applying these principals and reduce it further. She really knows her stuff.