Whats the earliest you have run in the morning (Page 3)

I've done a couple of 3:30 AM runs but most of the time it's around 4:30-4:45.  All depends on when I can get the neccessary morning "ritual" out of the way.  Nothing like being in the middle of a 10-12 miler and needing to take that morning "ritual" and not a single business open to the public.

I really struggle to exercise at all. I just started "running" again back in June (couch to 5k) and had my bike tuned up last weekend. In my previous life I would get up between 0430-0530 depending on my distance to run before my shift started (0700), but 2.5 years ago I was diagnosed with Lupus and things went crashing down. Now I'm lucky to make it to work on time, there's no way I could get up any earlier no matter what time I went to bed. I'm also afraid it would be dangerous for me to try to run early (twice last month I made coffee on my way out the door and forgot to put my cup under the coffee maker and ended up with it all over the floor) I also have a lovely sun allergy, so I have to wait until the sun goes down to exercise. It's been a real challenge. My body prefers 11-14 hours of sleep per night, so I'm always tired. 

I miss being able to get up and get my exercise before work! I'm very jealous of those of you who can!

Did one of those Relays (Sunrise to Sunset across Florida) where we had to run continuously.  So in that case, I had a midnight-2am run.

Also did my 20 miler in late August before the MCM.  Late August, South Florida, you need to be done before 8am.  I started at 3:00, did 10, then my buddy joined me from 4:30-7 ish for another 10.

In the Corps at the end of OCS, you do a "crucible".  In that, we did 72 hours of movement with little catnaps here and there. It was over 52 miles according to the training plan in boots, utility uniform, gear, helmets, weapons, etc.  In theater, I had a late night that involved running (not for training) at 2 am.  But that's a different story.

I haven't run in daylight hours in a long time except during a race.  No time or too hot.

As for safety.  If you're running pre-dawn please get a red flashy thing and if you're worried about getting attacked, run with pepper spray.  It works on dogs too.

I'm not averse to getting up early, but a 20 mile run before work, or its cycling equivalent, would likely cause me to run out of gas in a serious way before noon unless I knocked back a few octuple espressos.  How do folks function for a whole work day after a seriously early and long workout? Love to know if there are any tricks.