David Roche GOES HOME DEVASTATED from Western States

You’re right that a concussion can induce changes in affect, but big changes in personality usually accompany more serious brain injuries. Moreover, I’ve known David for a while, and he has always been like this—just not as exaggerated. I think it’s his increased popularity/celebrity that has done him in, not the concussion. One can say Megan has changed too, and it is likely just the consequence of them having a platform.

I mean, go look at the list of LT100 winners. Does it look like a race that attracts top-tier talent? Obviously his result is not unimpressive, but LT100 has a substantially less competition and a lower-quality talent pool than the tier 1 races.

Yes he is a younger version of you as you are both colossal Tools as you’re both attention seeking wh*res

There are a few components into why Roche has garnered so much attention on this forum. First, he is high profile; second, his personality and behavior are polarizing.

-He is high profile because he is a coach of many trail athletes, has a popular podcast and YouTube channel, and recently because he took down the long-standing Leadville course record (which arguably wasn't a terribly prestigious record, but it was well known both for being an old record by the legendary Matt Carpenter and because Leadville is one of the best-known 100s.)

There's a few components to the polarizing personality/behavior.

-In the aftermath of Leadville, he set his sights on Western States. He proceeded to start making outrageous claims about his fitness, such as saying he could've run a sub-4 mile on the morning of Leadville. This claim in particular earned him the ire of this board, and I would argue this is the main or at least initial reason that this forum started focusing on him.

-His personality has been described as "toxically positive," especially as a coach. A few people on here claiming to be his former athletes have reported him dismissing injuries and insisting they train through it. His peace, love, sunshine, and rainbows persona strikes many as inauthentic.

-Another criticism he faces as a coach is people saying he has a pyramid-scheme style setup where many of his athletes also coach SWAP athletes, as well as taking on an impossible number of athletes which is only possible due to a cookie-cutter training template he recycles for pretty much everyone.

-Before Western States, he implied both that he was a favorite to win and that he was much less talented than the other runners. He did a LOT of talking about Western States - podcasts, youtube videos, instagram posts, long-winded celebrations of Strava course records, you name it. Because of all his self-generated buildup and the above reasons, many on here went into WS hoping that he would fail. Hence the celebration when he dropped out around 100k, matching the predictions of several in the megathread.

I probably missed a few key points, especially after the threads got going and Roche started engaging, but the above probably captures at least a decent picture of why this board has been fixated on him.

Idk why you want to make this thread about you Rojo, but there you go.

I'll bite on this one and give you an answer that is objective and isn't unhinged hatred.

Roche and his wife have an immensely popular running podcast. I can't verify this, but it may in fact be the most popular (by listener numbers) running podcast in the world.

Roche went to Columbia undergrad and Duke Law School. Practiced as an enivironmental attorney for a while. Didn't run in college.

His wife went to Duke undergrad and has an MD/PhD from Stanford. She played field hockey but then ran at least a year at Duke and was reasonably good, like 16:30/34:00.

Both are very good trail runners. David won a Golden Ticket (entry into WSER) at the Javelina 100 mile race last year, beating the guy who finished 4th at WSER by 10 minutes.

They are coaches of a large roster of the top trail, mountain and ultra runners in the U.S. You'll also be interested to know that they coach Jess McClain (top American woman at Boston). Other runners they coach that are pretty good track/road runners but who also are mostly or partly trail/mountain focused are Anna Gibson, Christian Allen and Allie Ostrander.

They are super politically liberal, which some have speculated accounts for 75% of the vitriol they get on LRC. Very supportive of transgender women in women's race categories, etc.

The Coffee Club guys seem to love him.

Pretty much every accusation about them that you read on these LRC threads is ridiculous and factually false.

That's all you need to know.

Pretending the primary reason people on here don't like him because he's socially liberal is so disingenuous. Good grief. They don't like him on here primarily because he's one of the world's biggest self-hype men and keeps making claims that he can do athletic achievements that people have a lot of respect for (i.e. the sub 4 mile, the Western states CR) without backing it up. You don't have to know or disagree with someone's politics to dislike a braggart.

13+104 pages...and more threads, too.

Is David gunna post up an expensive-to-produce video about all this? I need David Poach to riff on it.

I need a good laugh in my life, although I don't know anything is going to top the use of starting blocks.

Just wanted to say that I'm proud of you for dropping the backstory that you're a big city lawyer who only has the time to hop on this thread every other week.

Many of us on this board that criticize Roche are also liberal.

We believe in truth, science and justice.

Another example: David will also vehemently defend biological Men competing in Women's sports categories and claim that the "science justifies it" and that a "trans Woman is a Woman." But that is anti-science. A lot of us liberals are just calling out his bs on that too.

Roach does not coach Chris. Keith Mueller coaches him. It was in his stories.

Because there is another 100+ page thread about him

Chuck, or whatever your name is, that was not funny. Clark is 92 years old and accurately represented himself. I myself am 74. I’m not sure why you would lie on a message board.

Anyways, I just came here to say I had a splendid time with Clark. We went out to brunch and he was such a gentleman and still sharp as a tack!

Clark hasn’t worked with Professor Salzman for ~20 years, so I asked why he was googling him now. Clark explained he was interested in reconnecting with Salzman as Clark has become very interested in drinking water and thought a discussion around that was a good excuse to catch up with his old colleague.

Clark also admitted this wasn’t his first time on LETSRUN. Shortly before his retirement about 20 years ago, Clark became interested in running and wanted to try a 5k. He stumbled upon these boards and began asking questions. He vividly recalled some outrageous responses to him asking if he should wear a fanny pack.

Clark is such a kind, funny man, with great stories. We scheduled a 2nd date for Friday. Barack, you and Michelle might get that invite after all. In fact, Clark said he might “hook you up again”. I don’t know what he means; have you guys met? Clark is a crack up!

I actually audibly laughed at this. To start with the use of the word ‘objective’ to then proceed with “I can’t verify this, but” is just really kind of hilarious. Saying it may be the most popular in the world also makes me believe (even more!) that this is David or Megan posting. Maybe his mom?

We have a wonderful place in Martha's Vineyard if you're looking for a venue for your special day. I'll see if the kids can make it too. God Bless America!

Hahaha great callback. This thread is gold.

What all you haters fail to realize, at least according to the most recent Roche Co. Podcast, is that David would win and be the most dominant ultra runner to ever walk the planet if he wasn't so intelligent. Because of his superior intellect, he can't endure suffering like all the other mental rejects out there who are better than him. Apparently, they are all too dumb to understand that what they are enduring.

My word, these two are some of the most special individuals ever. How anyone can listen to the garbage that comes out of their mouths and take them seriously, or hold any level of respect for them, is beyond me.

Wow, well, I guess I'll have to jump on the podcast to hear this for myself.

That's so great that the generous Obama is posting here.