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Joe sits down with British marathon star Phil Sesemann fresh off an unreal autumn double, running 2:07 in Amsterdam and backing it up with another 2:07 in Valencia just weeks later. Phil breaks down why Amsterdam felt like a dream day while Valencia became a grind, how small differences in weather and pacing can turn a marathon into a completely different race, and what it is really like in those final 10 kilometres when the legs start negotiating.

The conversation goes right back to Phil’s origins, from swimming and early cross country success, to a year inside the Leeds triathlon setup, before committing fully to running after clocking 14:27 for 5K during that period. Phil explains why he was a 1500m runner for years, how COVID-era long runs helped unlock his marathon potential, and how his debut at London (2:12:58) set him on the path that eventually led to Olympic qualification.

Phil also opens up about the obsession behind the progress: a “perfect week” of marathon training featuring double thresholds, marathon-specific sessions, big steady runs, and mileage that can hit around 150 miles per week. He talks honestly about mistakes he has made with session frequency, why the best sessions can fool you into getting greedy, and how he tries to stay on the right side of the line between fitness and breakdown.

There is plenty of gold on recovery and fueling too, including Phil’s simple non-negotiables: sleep, eating enough, and his famously consistent post-run routine of a pint of whole milk Nesquik after every run. He shares how he thinks about staying healthy, why he believes fueling enables training rather than simply supporting it, and how consistency over years is the real superpower.

The chat finishes with Phil reflecting on the Paris Olympics experience, what he would do differently next time, the pride of hitting the Olympic standard by seconds, and the mindset traits he believes separate athletes who make it from those who fade out. Plus, a fun closer on his toughest rival battles and the satisfaction of finally getting one back when it mattered most.

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Find out more about Valere: tinyurl.com/valerebigdog

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Joe is joined by former WorldTour pro and freshly minted 61-minute half marathoner Jimmy Whelan for a cracking deep dive into life on the limit. Jimmy talks through how he went from a talented young runner to winning the under-23 Tour of Flanders and racing Grand Tours with EF, what it is really like bombing down wet descents at 70 kilometres an hour, and why getting repeatedly taken out by crashes finally pushed him away from pro cycling.

He breaks down the “devil block” weeks that built his monster engine, the difference between pure watts and fatigue resistance, and what it feels like when riders like Mathieu van der Poel and Julian Alaphilippe simply ride away from you. Then Jimmy explains how a sciatica flare-up on the TT bike nudged him back into running, the four-month build to his debut 70.3 in Geelong, and the big block that ended with a 61.30 half in Valencia where he went through 10K in 28.39 and ran with Alex Yee and the British marathon crew.

Jimmy finishes by opening up on his next chapter as a full-time runner, his three-year plan toward the LA Olympics, and whether triathlon is completely off the table or still quietly in the mix.

Join the JYD for exclusive members perks: patreon.com/TheJYD

Find out more about Valere: tinyurl.com/valerebigdog

Get 20% off your nutrition with Styrkr: https://styrkr.com/SKIPPER

To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0VKd5PFrhj-qsnWw8VVmyQ

Or check us out on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junk_yard_dogz

You can follow Joe at https://www.instagram.com/notanotheraveragejoe

You can follow Jimmy at https://www.instagram.com/jimmywhelann

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