For the past three days I’ve woken up at 6am. It has been dark and cold outside. I’ve put the kettle on, had some breakfast, looked at Twitter while listening to Radio 4 and then headed off to run five miles though London to work. And I’ve enjoyed it.

Getting up at 6am isn’t just about fitting in a run. I could run at lunchtime or run home to avoid this early start. Not so long ago, getting up even a minute earlier than I needed to was a crazy idea. But I get it now.

Running or cycling to work changes the focus of my day. Instead of getting up, having a quick breakfast then squeezing myself onto a tube to be spat out at my desk nearly an hour later where my day begin, my day starts with running. I’ve reclaimed the morning as a time for me and sitting at my desk for eight hours becomes just a bit in the middle of the day.

I now get up earlier to run to work than I need to. I like to finish my run, get a coffee and (if it’s warm enough) sit outside and relax. To carve out a bit of time for me, away from all the other stuff that I have to do.

I have a pretty busy week. I work full-time, lead two running groups plus helping out with the coaching for my club, I write here and for a number of other places. I don’t mind being busy, it’s all stuff I enjoy and that I choose to do. But, like everyone, I need a few moments in my week that are about doing absolutely nothing. Running partly counts as this. But there’s nothing like taking 10 minutes at the end of a run to just sit and be.

Next time you finish a run, don’t rush off to the shower or head straight onto Twitter or Facebook. Sit down. Switch off. Enjoy.