Olympic marathon runner Phil Sesemann is gearing up for the upcoming TCS London Marathon, with the dual goals of surpassing his personal best time and qualifying for the Tokyo World Championships later this year.

Training Progress and Annual Strategy

Sesemann has paused his medical career to commit to training full-time, a decision that has already shown promising results. Earlier in the year, he participated in two successful races in Spain—a 10K and a half marathon—setting a solid foundation for his performance at London.

In an interview at the launch of Sungod’s new headquarters in Covent Garden, Phil shared insights about his training regimen:

“Training is going really well. I haven’t missed a single run or session on the plan since having a baby last October. I can’t really complain and things are looking good.”

Altered Approach This Year

This year, Sesemann has modified his preparation techniques. He has opted out of altitude training camps, instead choosing to focus heavily on his planned workouts. He remarked:

“I’ve taken a different approach this year. I’ve not done any altitude or training camps but have just leant into the training and worked as hard as possible.”

Race Day Aspirations

With a current personal best of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 4 seconds, set in Seville, Phil is determined to improve his time. To qualify for the World Championships, he needs to finish in the top two British runners and finish under 2 hours and 8 minutes:

“I’m definitely in PB shape… I really want to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo this year.”

Plans Beyond the London Marathon

Should he fall short of his qualification goal, Sesemann has alternative options, indicating his eagerness to secure a fast time at other marathons, such as those in Berlin or Valencia:

“I’ll definitely be trying to run fast somewhere, which could be Berlin or Valencia. It could even be both!”

Balancing Parenthood and Training

Since welcoming a newborn last October, Sesemann has successfully integrated his new family responsibilities into his training routine, with help from his partner, Jess:

“My partner, Jess, has been amazing. She’s pretty much done all the night shifts.”

Injury Prevention and Recovery

To avoid injuries during rigorous training, Phil employs a comprehensive approach that includes:

• Weekly sessions with a physiotherapist for soft tissue work and strength training modifications.
• Weightlifting focused primarily on injury prevention.
• Regular consultations with his coach to adjust training based on minor injuries and fatigue.
• A strong emphasis on sleep and prioritizing recovery.

Nutritional Strategies

Sesemann’s nutritional philosophy revolves around maximizing carbohydrate intake to support his training:

“It’s just a case of eat as much as possible – carbs, carbs and more carbs.”

Career as a Professional Athlete

Phil articulates that being a marathon runner offers a degree of financial stability compared to other athletic pursuits, aided by sponsorships from companies like ASICS and Sungod, as well as support from the London Marathon itself:

“Fortunately, as a marathon runner, it’s at the more lucrative end of the spectrum.”

Embracing Gear for Performance

Regarding his running gear, Sesemann mentions that he typically wears sunglasses during easy runs to prevent distractions but prefers not to use them during races. He expresses satisfaction with his partnership with Sungod:

“I wanted to sign with a brand that had a good product and that would enhance my performance.”