What is runner’s obsession with running at the crack of dawn?

not really

I don't get it either; it's as if they're trying to make running harder than it needs to be.

It's so much more enjoyable to run when you aren't fasted, and your cortisol levels have lowered.

People are weird as hell when it comes to moralising the time at which they wake up/exercise though.

Sorry but 7 am is the morning is not late. If I’m doing a 3 hour run in the trails on the weekends I have to wake up at 5 am to get it.

Sorry but 5 am is the morning is not late. If I’m doing a 6 hour run up Mount Kilimanjaro on the weekends I have to wake up at 2 am to get it.

Yeah sorry - but I get up at 00:01 to beat you all! I always want to have as much of the day as possible ahead of me.

Also, he didn't say anything about 7am being too late; he said it was too early.

Somehow you got it wrong twice.

some people may be doubling
some people may have things they want to do with their day

it's really not hard.

Maybe it's not about becoming better at running.

Maybe it's about increasing the amount of waking hours you can "feel good about yourself" for having exercised.

Going out for a dehydrated and underfueled slow run at 7 AM is a great way to make things harder than they need to be, but not that it matters when the weekly volume (and avg. intensity) is on the low side anyway.

Good runners are well rested, well prepared and come with enough gas on the tank to do the session as prescribed.

On the other hand, from the way you describe things you need to find out if this is more about gaining a new social circle than actual training. If it is a couple of hours of sleep seems like a minor sacrifice. Can't always have it both ways.

I was at a work retreat and several attendees went running before it started in the morning. No one mentioned what they ran, but the person who had gone the earliest was somehow deemed impressive.

You make a good point

I don’t mean to be a snob here (and I’d keep this point to myself) but: it could be that most people (not you and not most people on letsrun) who do long runs on weekend mornings are pretty slow and training for that bucket list half marathon/marathon and need to get in 3hour+ long runs, so they have to get up very early…whereas a serious letsrun person probably doesn’t run longer than ~90min-120min tops

I think also most view exercise as a disciplined weight loss chore they have to get out of the way for the day ASAP, rather than a serious athletic pursuit, so the sooner they knock out that multi hour Sunday slog, the sooner they can get back home to doing laundry for the work week and getting the kids ready for school.

I don't get that either.

I like to get up early and do stuff but running is not one of them. I get it when it's hot in summer and you want an early start. I used to run in the late afternoon. Now I shifted to the mornings because of the weather where I live. I run at 8 or 9 sometimes even later. I feel better running when my body is fully awake. For races I like a 7am start time but I have started as early as 4am which I never liked.

Some of my running group start at 5 on the weekends! What a way to ruin your weekend.

Simple solution: go to bed by 8pm.

You sound like somebody who has never been to Mount Kilimanjaro. You need a permit and a guide. Nobody is running up there on a daily basis.

What is it with people thinking that their preferences or opinions are the only ones that can possibly be right. It's like they think that everyone should be exactly the same and cannot fathom someone with other interests/habits.

Here's a clue for you LetsRunners - Not everyone is a lonely incel that hates on everything that doesn't lineup with his 15 year old incel american boy's thinking.

To put it in words you can understand: why are you so triggered by people running at any time of the day? not everyone is a snowflake who has to run at the time that you think is appropriate. Tell your mom to wake you up early and give it a try (or don't - who really cares when you run. But do remember that when you finish your run earlier, your mom will have the chicken tendies for you earlier too!

It's a wonderful time to run. The air is fresher. Humidity is lower, streets are quieter with less traffic. By the time you are finished, you have practically the entire day to do your other stuff. You should try it and stop being lazy. Cos when you lie in bed and go for a run at 10:30 by the time you are finished, half of the day has gone.

How can you have the whole day ahead of you when you went for your run at practically midday? Anyhow you do you and others will do them.

Me, I go for my run between 7-8AM. It's wonderful.

Yeah man, your reaction is totally justified from my original post. And I’m the one that is “triggered”