If you’re thinking about trying keto, here’s my advice: get real clear on why you’re doing it.
Want to drop some weight? Improve blood sugar? Feel steady energy all day instead of crashing mid-afternoon? Keto might be your thing.
And if you’re an endurance runner—especially marathon or ultra—you might find that once you’re fat-adapted, you stop hitting the wall because your body learns to run off fat like it was built to.
But if you’re more into short bursts—like sprinting or high-power intervals—keto might not be ideal year-round. In those cases, I’ve seen it work best as a reset in the off-season. Then you bring carbs back strategically when it’s time to go full throttle again.
Here’s the thing: if you’re gonna try keto, actually try it. Commit to 6 to 8 weeks. Don’t quit at week two just because you feel sluggish or cranky. That’s part of the transition. You’ve got to give your body time to flip the metabolic switch.
In the end, the “best diet” isn’t the one that sounds cool or gets the most likes on Instagram. It’s the one you can live with.
For me? A mostly-keto approach—with a bit of flexibility—has been my sweet spot. I feel good, I perform well, and I don’t obsess over every gram of carbs. For you, it might be full keto, carb cycling, or something else entirely.
Use this article as a guide, not a rulebook. Here’s what I recommend next:
1. Learn More & Stay Curious
If this stuff clicks with you, dig deeper. I’ve written full breakdowns on running while keto and marathon training on low-carb—you’ll find real examples, meal plans, and training tweaks. The more you understand the “why,” the easier it is to stick with it when things get tough.
2. Find Your People
Keto can feel isolating—especially when everyone around you is downing pasta before races. That’s where community matters. Whether it’s Reddit threads like r/keto_running or r/ketogains, or just a few friends on the same path, find folks to swap stories with. I lurked those forums for months and it helped a ton. Seeing other runners push through the same hurdles? That was motivation gold.
3. Track Your Wins
You don’t need a spreadsheet obsession, but keep tabs on how you’re feeling. Jot down energy levels. Track your weight if that matters to you. Log runs. I noticed that after a couple of months of keto-adaptation, my 10K time dropped—even though I’d been doing less speedwork. I chalk that up to fat loss and metabolic efficiency. Also: no more 3 p.m. energy crashes? That’s a win too.
4. Have a Game Plan
Social dinner with pasta? Big race on the calendar? Think it through. You don’t have to avoid every situation—you just need a plan. I’d often eat a protein-rich meal beforehand or bring something keto-friendly. For race day, I’ve seen folks thrive using MCT oil or small carb boosts mid-race. The strategy will depend on your body, but planning ahead beats winging it.
5. Celebrate the Small Stuff
Made it through your first week? Great—reward yourself (I vote for new socks, not cheesecake). Finished a long run without carbs? That’s huge. Tell someone who gets it. Hit a new low on your scale or improved your blood sugar? Ring the bell. Positive momentum builds discipline—and it keeps the lifestyle fun.
My Challenge to You:
Are you ready to tap into fat-burning mode and see what your body’s truly capable of?
Then go for it. Give keto a proper shot. Save this guide and come back to it when the cravings hit or you start wondering if “keto breath” is a real thing (spoiler: it is).
Most importantly—don’t go it alone.
If you ever need help, want to share your progress, or just feel stuck, I’m here. Comment below or shoot me a message. I’ve coached runners through every stage of this transition—and I’d love to support you too.
Remember: ketosis isn’t the goal. Performance is. Health is. Feeling strong and energized and in control—that’s what we’re after.
So lace up, scramble some eggs, maybe even butter your coffee if that’s your thing—and let’s go.
One step at a time. One keto run at a time.