Olympic marathon runner Phil Sesemann will be toeing the line at this year’s TCS London Marathon aiming to beat his personal best – and secure a place in the Tokyo World Championships later this year.

Having put his career as a doctor on hold to train full-time, the decision is already paying dividends. Two successful outings over 10K and half marathon in Spain earlier this year have set things up nicely to attack the clock at London.

We caught up with him at the launch of Sungod’s new Covent Garden HQ – the fast-growing sunglasses brand for whom Phil is an ambassador.

Men’s Fitness: How is your training going for this year’s TCS London Marathon?

Phil Sesemann: 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.

MF: Do you always prepare the same way for a big race?

PS: 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. Apart from two races in Spain, I’ve been based in Leeds the whole winter and it seems to be paying dividends.

MF: What are your expectations for race day?

PS: I’m definitely in PB shape (Phil’s current PB is 2hrs 8mins 4secs set in Seville last year). I really want to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo this year and to do that I probably need to be in the top two Brits and run under 2:08 so I will be racing to do that.

MF: Do you have a back-up plan if you don’t qualify?

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

MF: How has it gone adjusting to training with a new-born baby in the house?

PS: My partner, Jess, has been amazing. She’s pretty much done all the night shifts. There’s been a few times where she’s had work commitments and I’ve stepped in but she’s pretty much done it all. The dogs (delightfully named Kipchoge and Haile and Phil’s regular training partners!) have been getting used to a 6am breakfast every morning. But it’s really not been too bad.

MF: What do you do to supplement your running training and make sure you don’t break down?

PS: There’s no easy answer to that question as there are loads of things that go into that. Firstly, I see a physio (former GB international James Wilkinson) pretty much every week, sometimes twice a week thanks to support from the Leeds Talent Hub. I’m getting soft tissue work, advice and modifications to my strength and conditioning programme.

I’m also lifting weights in the gym once a week, mainly for injury prevention rather than trying to build strength. For example, isometric holds to help with my calf muscles and Achilles and rehab on a glute issue. It’s been really helpful having that one-to-one help from the physio to help with these minor niggles.

It’s also been really helpful to see my coach three, four or even five times a week. That makes a big difference to be able to make micro decisions, pulling back when you need to. I’m also focusing on sleeping as much as possible, even around a new-born, and doing as little as possible outside of the training. I’m missing out on some family things and turning down commercial opportunities to really focus on the end result.

MF: How seriously do you take your nutrition?

PS: For me, it’s just a case of eat as much as possible – carbs, carbs and more carbs. Always fuelling before and after training, even if you’re running early in the morning. I can’t remember the last time I ran fasted in the morning. I see it as an investment in myself, so I’m not scrimping when it comes to my weekly food shop. I’m making sure there’s always fresh food in the house.

MF: Is it tough making ends meet as a professional athlete?

PS: Fortunately, as a marathon runner, it’s at the more lucrative end of the spectrum. There is also support from the London Marathon and from sponsors (Phil is sponsored by ASICS and Sungod). There are ways of making ends meet.

MF: Do you wear sunglasses to train in?

PS: I do run in sunglasses, mostly on my easy runs to stop flies getting in my eyes. I don’t usually race in sunglasses. I wanted to sign with a brand that had a good product and that would enhance my performance. Sungod is really supportive of what I’m trying to achieve, which was an important consideration for me.