Running is best before or after....?

Ok, so sumemr is darwing near. Lowering caloric intake and upping cardio to 5-6 days a week of 2-4 miles. Is it best to run after meals or before meals? And before/after WHAT meals? Like is it better to run with a meal you know is the least healthy coming up or after a nice hearty, nutritous meal?

Thanks!

Keep yourself motivated, and only good things can come from it.

"Starved" cardio is popular as a contest prep technique, since if you have a little protein, no carbs, and then go running (usually after getting up in the morning) you tap into your fat stores more quickly.  Have a good Post workout meal afterwards

Thats what i would do.  I would run when I first wake up before eating anything. 

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you can either run when you get up, or if you prefer to lift with your cardio, running after is better. 1) you will use most of your energy towards lifting and also 2) the glycogen stores in your muscles will be depleted and the cardio will burn fat instead of stored carbs. Be sure to have your post workout shake/meal ready immediately after so your body doesn't try tapping your muslces for energy.

this is a pretty controversial topic and you'll hear justifications for both opinions.  Try both and see what works best for you.  Personally I prefer starved cardio.  Just make sure you take some BCAAs before and after to try to spare your hard earned muscle

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Thanks guys for the advice. I might have to start that when summer comes around, seeing that I wake up at 6 am for school, and I don't think if I woke up earlier, THEN ran I'd make it through school conscious.

Thanks again.

Keep yourself motivated, and only good things can come from it.

I think after a meal, unless you wait a bit, could be uncomfortable and possibly cause stitch pains.  Also eating after a workout is the most efficient way to utilize your food intake since the body will be more eager to replenish at that point.
Linda

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My workouts consist of 2 splits 3 days a week...monday, wake up at 5 go walk 4 miles...(not fast or anything just to get me non larthargic since im trying to gain weight)...lift at 3ish.....i lift at 3 6 times a week but do the running 3 times a week.
 
I have tried both directly before and after workouts and dont like it. I find i fi do it directly before then I am too tired to lift much, directly after i am too tired to run very far....but early in the morning wakes me up and lets me recoup by the time i lift again.