There’s a reason why slow running gets so much attention online: it’s incredibly beneficial, no matter what stage of your running journey you’re at.

“Taking a run ‘easy’ is valuable for all runners for a number of reasons,” Parker explains. “It’s a great way to build your endurance and improve your running fitness without causing as much stress on the body as running faster – most runners should be looking to spend around 80% of their runs at an easy intensity.”

These long, slow runs are particularly effective for people looking to increase the distance they can run for, Parker adds.

This is because low-intensity or ‘zone two’ training – so known because it keeps your heart rate in the zone two category – can help to improve your lactate threshold, ie when the level of lactate in your blood is higher than at resting.

What’s better for you: a long, slow run or a short, fast one?