Roff on the Right Path

It's a gloomy summers morning, and as I look across the road, a sea of runners are making their way in either direction around the well known 'Tan' track in Melbourne. As I contemplate this scene for a second, my attention returns to my company, that of Australian 1500m runner Jeremy Roff. Having run the heats of the Victorian 800m titles last night, Roff and I have just finished an easy jog, and tuck into a coffee and muffin while we discuss all things running, and importantly, the running of the man opposite me.

For those who are unaware of Roff's exploits, it is a tale of hard work, determination and perseverance. While many of his junior age group counterparts were running mid to low 3:45's over 1500m, Roff wasn't. However, four years later, Roff was the one lining up on the start line of the Commonwealth Games 1500m final, a PB of 3:38.20 to his name, and a handful of senior medals in his possession. The final may not have been a PB run, but making it this far was a dream that every young athlete had dreamt of, and now Roff had achieved.


This year, Roff is taking a slightly different approach to previous years, focusing more on one or two main races, and training through the races in between. "Probably one of the mistakes Ken (Green) and I made was to taper for too many races last year, so this year we are going to make sure we keep the mileage up throughout the summer, instead of backing off every couple of weeks", Roff explained. "I am feeling good about how things are progressing so far. I have opened up the season with faster times than previous seasons. I am hitting better marks at training and also making sure I continue to do all the little things which over time add up."

 

His trip to Melbourne for the Vic Champs was all aimed at increasing his speed, whilst getting used to a Nationals program. Contesting the 800m involved running three rounds in four days, giving Roff the opportunity to get in plenty of race practice. One goal had set himself is to run a PB and break the 1minute50 mark, which he confesses is something that needs to happen to take the next step (Editors note: Roffy did indeed break the 1:50 mark, clocking 1:48.79).

"Most of the guys I am racing have run under 1:50, some as fast as 1:46, so I need to have that speed available for the back end of a 1500m if the pace turns out to be slow", states Roff. "The World Champs in Berlin will be a heat/semi/final affair, so I need to get used to that feeling of backing up as well. It's all well and good to be able to turn out good sessions on the track, but if you don't know how to put that hard work into a race, then you're not really achieving much".

One of the integral parts of Roff's development as an athlete is the yearly trip to Falls Creek, which he has been making for the last seven years. Being able to train with Roff and be part of Falls Creek in 2008/09, I was able to see just how much having time away from work and all other commitments can enhance ones running. "You basically train, recover, sleep, train, recover again, stretch and sleep", Roff describes. "You aren't tired from a days work. The only thing that tires you out is the work you are putting in. It's a fantastic way to get the most out of your body, and having nothing else clouding your mind."

From here, Roff will run the Sydney Track Classic, and the World Athletics Tour event in Melbourne, running in the 1500m in both. Following that, either a European or USA campaign will follow, based on how he is travelling. "We stayed in Wimbledon last year, and that was terrific", Roff revealed. "I would love to go back there, or somewhere else if a better offer comes up." Either way, Roff is doing all the right things, and with the careful guidance of Coach Green, and with his own steely determination, it seems anything is possible.


 

Editors Note: Jeremy fnished 3rd in the Final of the Vic Champs on Sunday, with a new PB of 1:48.79. Roffy then went on to place fourth at the Sydney Track Classic 1500m running a PB of 3:37.59 (World Champ B qualifier). The Runnerstribe team wish him all the best for the rest of the track season, and for the road to Berlin.

 

'It's a fantastic way to get the most out of your body, and having nothing else clouding your mind'
Jeremy Roff on training at Falls Creek