Steve and the Tank! - Running for the Greater Good

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

An Interview with Jeff Rochford

About Jeff:

Jeff was the owner of Jeff’s Gym for 15 years before he sold the gym in 2006. Jeff is a United States Track and Field Certified Coach. He also volunteers as the coach of Fred’s Team (Marathon team benefiting cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.)

Steve & The Tank: All three of us met in Antarctica running a marathon. That was my first Marathon, the Tank has run a marathon on all 7 continents (he is that crazy), how many marathons have you run?

Jeff:

This November will be my 10^th consecutive New York City Marathon. Others thrown in for variety, of course Antarctica being the coolest. No pun intended I’ve also done countless Triathlons and Distance swim races.

Steve & The Tank: How did you get started running?

Jeff:

Owning a gym, I was totally into bodybuilding. Running was something you didn’t do. Aside from hurting like hell, it made you small. Every year around marathon time clients would ask if I ever ran the marathon, and being a gym owner in NYC, it was a little embarrassing to say no. So ten years ago, I set out to run my first and only NYC Marathon. I had no Idea what I was doing. My longest run prior to the marathon was 13 miles and I was still well over 200 pounds. I thundered the course; it hurt every step of the way. I’ve broken bones, torn ligaments, and nothing hurt more than that marathon. I finished in 4:17 out of sheer stubbornness. The second I crossed the finish line, I said to myself, that was the greatest thing I’ve ever done. I have to do this again, the right way.

I immersed my self in the endurance world, went back to school and learned everything I could. I’m still learning till this day.

Steve & The Tank: Describe Fred’s Team.

Jeff:

Fred’s Team is a marathon team benefiting cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Each member of the team raises money by running the NYC marathon. We have over 750 runners running NY this year. We raise a lot of money for the Cancer Center.

Steve & The Tank: How and when did you get involved with Fred's Team?

Jeff:

9 years ago, when I set out to run my second NYC marathon, I received a mailer from Fred’s Team and figured why not make my marathon really count? 4 years ago, I was running with a friend who was the director of the team and we were brainstorming ideas to grow the team. She said she wished the team could afford to hire a coach. Being this is where my career was moving, coaching runners, I volunteered.

Steve & The Tank: How rewarding is that?

Jeff:

I can’t even begin to describe it. When the weather is nice, the hospital will bring the kids out to the MSKCC cheering section at mile 17. When you run by and give those kids a high five, their faces light up like you just dropped a million dollars in their lap. Your adrenaline starts pumping and you start to sprint up First Avenue till you realize you still have 9 miles to go. Also helping my fellow team members cross the line is a total rush.

Steve & The Tank: Wow. Being the Coach of Fred’s Team, what type of workout do you put everyone through?

Jeff:

I have the team on a pretty aggressive 4 day a week running program, no junk miles. Quality over quantity. We meet three days a week as a team. Saturday morning we go long. Tuesday evening we alternate speed and hill work. Thursday night is coach’s choice work out. Think of track drills in High School.

Steve & The Tank: Ever make some annoying guy do extra laps or something like that?

Jeff:

No, but if I’m training someone annoying who can only talk about themselves. I pick up the pace as to where they can no longer talk and breathe at the same time.

Steve & The Tank: In what ways can people get more involved with Fred’s Team?

Jeff:

Aside from running for the team, we are always looking for volunteers to support our training runs by manning water stations and of course donate money. To learn more about our volunteer opportunities in New York or elsewhere, please contact us by e-mail at fredsteam@mskcc.org or phone at 800-876-7522.

Steve & The Tank: Do you think that the NYC Marathon has gotten too large of a field? Too Commercial? Should it go qualifier like Boston?

Jeff:

It doesn’t bother me. The size of the field is what makes NY, NY. Boston needs the prestige of the marathon. God knows they don’t get it from their baseball team.

Steve & The Tank: My goal is to have Lance beat me by less than 2 hours; do you think I can do it?

Jeff:

Lance will be probably be running a sub three, so you need to run a sub 5. The hills in NYC are nothing like we ran in Antarctica, so I think you guys can do it. Then again, you won’t have those crazy birds dive-bombing you motivating you to run faster

Steve & The Tank: Advice to young runners?

Jeff:

Don’t be the first one to tell a girl you love her, be patient, don’ get married too young. Oh I’m sorry, you meant about running. Well be patient there too. Many young runners come out of the box too fast and struggle to hang on. Respect the distance.

Steve & The Tank: What is next for you Jeff?

Jeff:

Half Ironman in October then the NYC marathon, and now that I don’t live at the gym any more, train for the Ironman. Join Tom (Tank) in the 7 continents club.

Steve and the Tank: Good Luck, see you at the finish line November 5^th.

Posted by Steve in New York.