BCR: Ian Butler starts his workout at 4:45 am before his day job starts at 7 am

Plenty of teachers work out before they go to...'work.'

Does anybody commenting in this thread have a job, have a relationship/family, and live in a hot place? Because running in the early morning is basically the only option. I'm up at 5 almost every week day and even weekends for long runs.

In parts of the Midwest for 3-4 months a year, it's basically too hot and humid to get quality workouts during the afternoon. It's still pretty hot in the evenings until the sun goes down, which may not be until 9 pm or later. I may not see a temp below 70 for weeks, or below 60 for months. Yea, doing workouts in the morning is tough and unideal, but it's almost near impossible to run the afternoon. In addition, I'm more tired and unmotivated after work than in the early morning and prefer to keep my evenings open. So you make it work any way you can.

Through my perspective (on what this thread has turned into) those who like to bash the "Blue Collar" type runner Ian represents might have some type of internal resentment towards these type of people because they themselves can't do the same (whether they lack the motivation, work ethic, care, etc.) I think attacks on the "Blue Collar" lifestyle tend to stem from this reason with a lame argument or comeback against it being that you can just get your miles in at 7pm. Obviously, Ian and others could do this, but what about doubles in the p.m. or other commitments?

To each their own is a good way to look at this, but why come and try to spread hate on a guy that's just trying to get better? At the end of the day though, it doesn't matter when you get the work in, only if you see the results. Gotta respect the grind, no matter what circumstances you train under.

That’s awesome. I like that guy and his style.

Very interesting to contrast this guy with the Tinman boys.

You should get up in the morning and try it some time. For some of us that feeling kickstarts the day right.

I dreaded getting up for early morning workouts in HS and college but also loved doing them.

For this guy, maybe he doesnt want to experience traffic so does it early instead of the afternoon. That's my reason anyway.

There is nothing blue collar about having a teaching job and being able to run a 2:09 marathon.

Go show this thread to someone who works in manufacturing the midwest and tell them how blue collar Ian Butler is. I dare you.

No one is bashing Ian, I watched the video and he seems like a chill dude getting after it, more power to him. I was only critiquing the fetishization by posters of the "blue collar" lifestyle as well as the value judgement when compared to those who are more flashy with their training and lifestyle. Somehow because Ian doesn't drive a Tesla he's more authentic and relatable according to some...He should be able to drive whatever he wants without having to worry about this image some people are worried about . As long as he's representing the brand and entertaining the fans why make these comparisons of good vs. bad personalities. I don't connect to every pro-runner's image out there but I know others do so I don't make these claims of the wholesome runner being better than the flashy and cocky one.

hoowie wrote:

hoowie wrote:

There is nothing blue collar about having a teaching job and being able to run a 2:09 marathon.

Go show this thread to someone who works in manufacturing the midwest and tell them how blue collar Ian Butler is. I dare you.

And then, since you're the big, brave, keyboard warrior, ask how many of those factory workers have run 2:09, 2:10, or even 2:11 in the marathon like Phil Coppess did back in the day and if they haven't ask them why not?

Suffice it to say, nuance and relativity in comparison escapes an obtuse meathead like you.

Define "Blue Collar"

#AuthenticAF

Isn't this his first year working like this though? He's roughly 29 and just now got a 'real job' as you say. He works at a school, school just started in the past month... We'll see if he can keep it up. I see he's running Chicago, the hay is in the barn for Chicago so it doesn't really matter much what his training is like the next couple of weeks. It will be more telling how he runs this spring and early summer having a full year of having to train like this. He hasn't had to do this for very long yet.

If he's been working at the school for multiple years then correct me if I'm wrong. But I believe it's only been a short amount of time so far.

Great Scotty wrote:

Disko Eric wrote:

I have to be to work anywhere between 6-7. I run at night and doubles on weekends/holidays. Why get your so early? It really is beyond me. But I guess some people like to be tired at work.

I don’t know if Ian’s relationship status but as a guy who also wakes up around 4:15 to go running it’s mostly due to the fact I like to see and hang out with my wife when I get home.

Spending ten hours a day at work, getting home around 6:30 and then going for an hour - 90 minute run and then showering, stretching and maybe getting an hour with your wife at night can brutal on a relationship.

This is the biggest one. That and, the school day ends at 3. School day stuff doesn't end at 3.

Free_the_thigh wrote:

Great Scotty wrote:

I don’t know if Ian’s relationship status but as a guy who also wakes up around 4:15 to go running it’s mostly due to the fact I like to see and hang out with my wife when I get home.

Spending ten hours a day at work, getting home around 6:30 and then going for an hour - 90 minute run and then showering, stretching and maybe getting an hour with your wife at night can brutal on a relationship.

You don’t get more hours by waking up earlier… you just have to go to bed earlier

This assumes he is a stickler for his 8-9 hours of sleep a night.

For example I prefer getting up early before my wife and kids are awake to get my run in because I know it’s not taking away from quality time with my family because they are all asleep.

I could run when I get home around 7:00 pm, finish my run around 830 but by the time I finish my run and shower my entire family will either be getting ready for bed or they will just have to stay up waiting for me to finish my training, which is a bit selfish on my end.

Is this the ideal lifestyle to run fast? No. But I think that’s the blue collar aspect of it. You need to balance running with a full time job, commute, family, etc.

hoowie wrote:

hoowie wrote:

There is nothing blue collar about having a teaching job and being able to run a 2:09 marathon.

Go show this thread to someone who works in manufacturing the midwest and tell them how blue collar Ian Butler is. I dare you.

Not sure where you have been the past few decades, but these so called "manufacturing jobs in the Midwest" barely exist anymore.

guessing his wife and kids arent up at 415 in the morning...hence the free time. there are dozens of other reasons that early morning running is much more practical too.

i think what ian is doing shows an impressive amount of dedication and im sure he enjoys teaching and it isnt in his personality to pander to middle school kids to buy merch while they market their social media brand and run semi pro times. to some people the latter is more appealing, but dont project your aspirations onto others.

avogadros_constant wrote:

I don't connect to every pro-runner's image out there but I know others do so I don't make these claims of the wholesome runner being better than the flashy and cocky one.

I thought this was all already implied? This guy's style is just easy for me (I do blue collar work) and those like me to connect with. I'm not the arbiter of taste to decide what's right or important for everyone else. Why can't we have a thread to celebrate what we like in what we see about the guy, maybe contrast with what we're tired of from others who have taken a different approach, without readers assuming that we're saying those others are evil or of less social value because we find their lifestyle on display to be alienating? Again, there's no value judgment of who's "better" here, we're just talking about what we like and dislike. It really seems like you're inferring and reading too much into much of the commentary on here. This is all just for fun, man.

Wasn't my intention to do that at all, bud. I didn't tell anyone to not buy branded merch, not even implicitly.

BOHICA wrote:

hoowie wrote:

Go show this thread to someone who works in manufacturing the midwest and tell them how blue collar Ian Butler is. I dare you.

And then, since you're the big, brave, keyboard warrior, ask how many of those factory workers have run 2:09, 2:10, or even 2:11 in the marathon like Phil Coppess did back in the day and if they haven't ask them why not?

Suffice it to say, nuance and relativity in comparison escapes an obtuse meathead like you.

Not as talented as these blokes but did run 2:29 while building fences over the summer and summer before that 1:11 half after summer with 8-9 miles a day of hiking and collecting data (it was part of my job) plus 40 mpw running.

Rodgers himself said that "no one who is working 40 hours a week is going to beat me in a race." I know this is LRC and there is nothing but utter disdain for teaching and education--let alone knowledge. The dumb ones win here, or in their Dunning-Kruger narcissistic/sociopath mindset think they win even then their mind is at the 30 minute 5K level.

Anyway boo to you blokes, good work to Ian Butler.