The Science and Psychology Behind Coaching America's Top Runners | David Roche Interview

Ten days after Jess McClain caught Hellen Obiri in the last 200 meters to take second at the New York City Marathon, we sat down with the coach behind her breakthrough.

David Roche has broken the Leadville 100 course record twice, the first time in his first 100-miler. With his wife, Dr. Megan Roche, he built SWAP (Some Work, All Play), one of the most sought-after coaching groups in running. Since he started coaching Jess in 2025, she has finished eighth at the World Championships, run 2:20:49 at Boston (the fastest Boston ever by an American woman), and become the first American woman on the NYC Marathon podium since 2018.

In this conversation, David explains how they did it: the training, the fueling science, and the mindset work behind performing on the biggest stage.

We cover:
→ Jess McClain’s finishing kick in New York, and the race plan of “just be Jess”
→ Why lower intensity can still produce a world-class marathoner
→ High-carb fueling, bicarb and heat training: what elites do and what you can use
→ Handling setbacks
→ What’s next for on the road to LA 2028

Whether you’re chasing a Boston qualifier or just want to understand how the best coaches think, this one is packed with ideas you can use in your own training.

FOLLOW DAVID
Instagram: @mountainroche
YouTube: youtube.com/@MountainRoche
SWAP Running: swaprunning.com

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