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Runners on the Way Up
Philippe Rolly: Where Running Takes Him
Randy MayesJanuary 1999
For the Washington Running Report
Since arriving in the Washington, DC area in October 1998, Philippe has run seven regional road races, won five and placed second twice. He does not understand what all the fuss is about. "I do not consider myself a fast runner," he insists. In his last race in France, a 10K, he ran 30:50 and placed 45th. "I don't understand why I keep receiving invitations to races," says Rolly.
Originally from St. Etienne, France he graduated from the University of Grenoble with a Diploma in Physical Therapy. In the French system one runs for one's city rather than a club. He ran for his hometown team for two years which is sponsored by Adidas. In college, the school does not care if you are a fast runner or not. You are either a student or a runner. You can receive the equivalent of $800-$1000 per month from the government, remain unemployed and be a full time runner, and also receive medical benefits. However, there is a 50% income tax rate. While running, Philippe also was a full time physical therapist, and the physical therapist for the French Marathon Team. Training too hard resulted in anemia. So, he decided to take a year off from working and running.
With his savings from work and race winnings, he decided to travel. Over the next year he visited India, Nepal, Tahiti, Thailand, Laos, Japan, Viet Nam, Australia, Indonesia, and Hawaii. Traveling with a knapsack, he averaged $500 per month in expenses and a total of a $1,000 in airfare. While in Thailand he met Joanne Moak who taught English in Korea and was also traveling. They traveled together and became good friends. She traveled for three more months and later visited him in France. Six months later they moved to Arlington, VA and were married. Joanne's father is a college professor in Richmond. Joanne is now a first year law student at American University. Philippe is furthering his physical therapy education at NOVA Community College. With their only income being Philippe's race winnings, they are a one-car family. Joanne uses the car and Philippe rides his bike to NOVA.
The combination of the year off of running and working, and taking iron supplements regenerated his body. Philippe spent the next year working and training in France. In Lyon, France he ran a 2:23:22 marathon, ranking him twenty-eighth on the French list for 1998. He also ran 1:07:02 for the half-marathon.
Shortly after settling in Arlington, Philippe met up with a group of fast runners near the monuments on an afternoon run. Matt Centrowitz and his training group became his companions for four months. His detailed log book reveals consistent 60 to 85 mile weeks. Centrowitz's excellent training program is suited for competitive middle-distance runners. Philippe, like several other top local runners, trained for the Pittsburgh Marathon. Following a marathon training program from a friend in France, the last three weeks in his log book averaged 105 miles before tapering. He was the top local finisher, placing seventh in 2:20:54. Currently a French citizen, he had to forfeit the $3,000 prize money as his U.S. citizenship paperwork is being processed.
After leaving behind the EPO drug scandals and infiltration of Algerian and Moroccan runners that make up half of the French teams, Philippe is adjusting well to the American system. From November 1998 to June 1999 he accumulated first place wins at the St. Patrick's Day 10K (30:27), GW Birthday 10K (31:30), Run vs. Row 10K (31:30), National Race For the Cure 5K (14:38), and the Red Ribbon 5K (15:02) and second place finishes at the Hampton-POMOCO 8K (24:07) and the Nasdaq Veterans Day 10K (31:18).
After an eight-mile run on Roosevelt Island near his home, we enjoyed a Korean lunch that Joanne taught him to prepare. Enjoying French chocolates his mother sent, we talked about the artifacts Philippe and Joanne collected from around the world that fill their apartment. He prefers the healthier Korean food rather than his native French cuisine which can be heavy and fat- laden. Sleeping nine hours at night, he naps one to two hours before his afternoon run. Joanne only sleeps five hours per night due to the workload of first year law school. She accuses Philippe of being lazy. Now, if he can adjust to married life he should be all set.