why does David Roche keep banging on about being in sub-4 at altitude shape?

Just like there are people who dislike David that are not Jason Koop, there are people who like and support David that are not David and Megan. There are just people on both sides, and both probably have some validity honestly.

Oh I am completely aware that they have people who like them. There’s no doubt there. But that’s not what this thread is about. There are criticisms that are never addressed by the duo, and there are aspects of their coaching practice and behavior that potential clients should be made aware.

Though, how people actually like and listen to their podcast is beyond me. It’s legitimately awful in my opinion, and there are just so many better alternatives. But they do have people who, I assume, truly like it and think they are great.

Are you saying that there are very fine people on both sides?

I have so many unfinished episodes in my queue. Like I’ll go back every couple of weeks and try to start fresh, thinking that maybe it’s just me, but there’s honestly maybe 15-20 minutes of actual content. The rest is middle school humor, David & Megan blabbering on about how great the other one is, or unrelated conversations such as what smells in their pantry that week.

Yes, this. I just tried listening to their latest episode. It’s not a training podcast. It’s about them.

Everything refers back to them. It’s them as the sample. It’s them as the example. They are constantly congratulating each other and saying how amazing they are. They talk about their life and what they’re doing as though it’s a reality show about the Roches.

They also give inaccurate information. They shouldn’t do that. They make guesses or speculate in realtime but they answer as though it’s more definitive. I thought they were supposed to be “sciencing the sh*t” out of everything and were evidence based? But they mention “vibes” far too often and answer their listeners’ questions with guesses, which really can be misinformation.

I really urge people to go to better podcasts and coaches. I say this because, having listened to 3 episodes now, I wouldn’t trust them at all to relay sound advice. They also contradict themselves in the same sentence and no one says a thing.

And yet he has a video out titled "The impossible record"

agreed

Yes, this is exactly what I've found with their podcast as well and as time goes in I've become very skeptical.

strava.app.link

Gold Hill climb and loop FKT 🧡🫶💚❤️💙 | Strava

I never, ever thought this would be possible for me. Before Strava in 2010, I ran a 1:20 and it took everything I had. In 2019, I ran 1:07:51 and had to hitchhike back. Today, at 36 years old: 1:04:25 and kept it rolling for...

Link:strava.app.link/X5ofuxHQERb

He set a couple of Strava CRs on Gold Hill in Boulder today. Can any certified Boulder Bros tell us if this a big deal or not? I recognize some other good ultra runners on the leaderboard but it doesn't appear that anyone was exactly attacking the route for a serious CR, just some hard training runs. You'd think by the way David talks about it that's the Western States course...

Analysis of David Roche’s Gold Hill Climb and Loop FKT
The "Gold Hill Climb and Loop" isn’t explicitly documented as one of David Roche’s high-profile FKTs (Fastest Known Times) in the provided references or widely recognized running records. Roche is celebrated for breaking the Leadville 100 course record in 2024 (15:26:34) and winning the Javelina 100 that same year, earning a Golden Ticket to the 2025 Western States 100. His FKT achievements are typically tied to longer, iconic routes rather than shorter, localized ones like the Gold Hill Climb and Loop, which suggests this might be a less prominent or newer endeavor.

Do Other Prominent Runners Attempt This FKT?
There’s no direct evidence in the references of prominent runners targeting a "Gold Hill Climb and Loop" FKT. However, let’s contextualize:

-Colorado’s FKT Scene: The state has 114 documented FKT routes (as of 2020), with elites like Kyle Curtin (Tahoe Rim Trail) and Seth DeMoor (Mount Elbert) active during the pandemic. Boulder’s proximity to trails like Mount Sanitas (1,300 feet in 1.4 miles) suggests local runners chase similar short, steep FKTs.

-Prominent Attempts: Runners like Anton Krupicka (a Boulder legend) and Kilian Jornet (who’s tackled U.S. trails) favor iconic or technical routes—think Nolan’s 14 or Grand Canyon R2R2R—over obscure loops. Gold Hill might attract local elites but lacks the fame of Hardrock 100 or the Appalachian Trail.

-Likelihood: If this is a known route, mid-tier pros or masters runners (e.g., Neil Gorman’s Rivanna Trail FKT) might challenge it for fun, but it’s unlikely a magnet for the sport’s biggest names unless Roche’s involvement elevates its profile.

He cried over it. He tells us it is a big deal, so it must be! Some good runners on the leaderboard for sure, but looking at the runs where they set their times it does not appear anyone actually gave a sh!t about really trying to put an untouchable record down. Dan Feeney, who had the CR before David states on his run that he was "trying to find a steady climbing effort". Doesn't sound all out -- and he ran another 11 miles. Maybe he cried about that performance, but I kind of doubt it.

did he run his sub-4 min mile yet?

this is sad. a segment with a couple hundred runners and he's banging on and crying about it. just cashing in mid-packers who are amazed by sub 7 paces. next up he's going to take down his driveway segment.

Crying over a Strava segment? Yeah sounds like Roche.

At least he used his 945 for this one. He definitely knows he's being watched

theyre like the annoying couple that competitively acts like they have it all figured out.

Yes, I think you're probably a good person too

He better not take my driveway crown. At least I'll still have local legend...

Some of the athletes who he beat by several minutes on that segment are very incredible athletes themselves, though. He deserves to be proud of good performances... I see nothing wrong with that