Welcome to another exciting episode of our coaching series, sponsored by V.O2. Today, we’re joined by the incredible duo, David and Megan Roche. Their passion for the running community is evident, as they coach countless athletes and share valuable insights through their research and the popular SWAP podcast, “Some Work, All Play.” Their contributions to the community are truly a gift, and it’s clear why so many people admire and appreciate them.

In this episode, we dive into David’s recent success at the Leadville 100, where he not only won but also set a new course record. His impressive credentials include being a two-time national champion and a three-time member of Team USA. He was also named the 2014 USATF Trail Runner of the Year at the sub-ultra distance. Megan, too, has an outstanding track record, having been the 2016 USATF Trail Runner of the Year in both ultra and sub-ultra distances. She’s a five-time national champion, a North American mountain running champion, and a six-time member of Team USA.

Beyond their athletic achievements, David holds degrees in environmental science, as well as a master’s and law degree with honors from Duke University. Megan graduated with honors from Duke, earning a degree in neuroscience, and later obtained her MD from Stanford Medical School, where she also completed a PhD in epidemiology, focusing on female athlete health and performance. Recently, she launched Huzzah, a platform dedicated to sharing female athlete performance science, which adds another layer to their incredible impact in the running world.

Excitingly, they are also expecting their second child! One of the highlights of our conversation revolves around fueling on the run, with a deep dive into carbohydrates and their importance. David and Megan also share their insights on cross-training and effective training strategies at a high level.

A big thank you to VDOT for supporting this podcast! Be sure to check out VDOT02.com to learn more about their amazing coaching platform, and don’t forget to use the code COACHLINDSEY.

What we talked about:

6:15- Becoming parents

15:45- Huzzah and training theories

27:45- David’s bike accident and winning Leadville

32:30- Adding cross training into training schedules

39:40- Coaching while they are still chasing their own running goals

46:10- Fueling during long efforts

57:30- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Huzzah

Some Work, All Play

Book recommendations: