There's no doubt that eating well makes a big difference. It can be huge. I was just pinging on the stretching. You are young, so maybe it doesn't matter. When you get to your 50s, you gotta take every advantage you can. So I warm up before I stretch.
all I know is that on Tuesday when I went out after eating poorly early in the day and going out cold, my body shut down. On Wednesday and Friday when I ate better and did a little stretching (it was pretty light) it was much easier to make it. I do walk a couple of blocks before I start on the run, too.