NOT SO FAST

‘ accessible NOT HAVING AN EASILY energy source is going to feel hard for a beginner, who is going to improve most initially purely by running consistently, rather than needing to worry about fat-adaptation,’ says Weir. ‘New runners should just focus on building basic aerobic fitness. Once you have that, then you can start to look at your ability to cope better over longer distances, and fasted training might then become an option.’

The potential benefits of some fasted running for more experienced runners, however, is clear. ‘If you want to be optimal in your performance,’ says Mcgregor, ‘you can include a fasted run or two during the week, but you need to do your faster sessions fully fuelled and with enough glycogen in your system. By periodising your