Does it qualify as mashing if...

[Mr. Bloom]

Your cadence could drop to 30 but if you are putting energy into the pedal most of the way around then its not mashing.

Hmmm...I never ever understood it that way...so, I guess that makes me feel better.

Ironically, my knees hurt at a higher cadence, so I've felt "strange" for feeling like I needed a slower cadence...but also consider that my legs are pretty strong which I think favors slower cadence IMHO