The best time to run

It's amazing how your body gets used to a routine. I used to always run in the morning before eating breakfast, maybe just having some orange juice or a cup of tea before going, and enjoyed coming back and getting ready for the day with warmed-up legs. But then I moved to Devon and had more time during the day so I started running a couple of hours after breakfast or in the early evening and now when I try to run in the early morning everything feels wrong. I feel stiff at the start and light-headed after only a couple of miles so never feel like I am getting the most out of my runs. 'Proper' training runs like interval training or long runs have to be done at the 'right' time, that my body has gotten used to running at, or they tend to be disappointing.

But what is really the right time to run? Some people swear by running first thing and others would rather do it late at night. I have heard some reports that gym-goers are better in the afternoon when base body-temp is higher, and other reports that it is better to do sport in the morning to boost your metabolism for the rest of the day. Having been attempting early morning runs for the past week or so whilst away, I definitely have enjoyed the sense of achievement from getting it out of the way before everyone else is up and about. It certainly makes me feel less lazy! But then there is also something nice about donning your running gear at the end of a long day and using the run to get troubles out of your system or digest the day's events. I guess the answer is whatever fits in with your schedule best, as it is better to exercise at anytime than not at all, but what's really interesting is how you so quickly adapt to running at different times and get set in your ways. I wonder how much of it is psychological, and whether by persevering with early runs for a few more days I can reverse my routine and become one of those sprightly morning runners...