Coach Victoria Phillippi knows how to run—and win—marathons. With 27 marathons and ultra marathons under her belt and 18 Boston Marathon qualifying times, she understands what separates successful runners from those who burn out or fall short.
Meanwhile, Coach Victoria Phillippi shares four core lessons that help many runners reach their potential and enjoy the journey, not just the finish line.
First, Coach Victoria Phillippi emphasises the importance of training smart and consistently. She sees many runners overtrain during race season but neglect their base the rest of the year.
“Running is about building a strong base year-round, not just three to four months before a race,” she explains.
Runners who look beyond their next race and maintain steady mileage avoid having to start from scratch each cycle. Coach Victoria Phillippi warns against relying on generic 16-week plans, which often skip strength training and mental preparation, both crucial for success.
Second, Coach Victoria insists that speed comes before distance.
“Most people think the secret to a fast marathon is to just run more marathons. That’s not quite how it works,” she says.
Instead, she recommends working on speed at shorter distances and building up your VO2 max. This foundation makes marathon pace feel easier and helps prevent injuries.
Rest is the third pillar
Coach Victoria Phillippi programs rest days into every plan, knowing that “if you don’t, your body will eventually force rest from you in the form of illness, injury, or burnout.” Walk breaks are a smart strategy, not a failure, and most injuries stem from poor pacing and lack of recovery.
Meanwhile, Coach Victoria urges runners to develop a solid marathon strategy. She reassures first-timers that the first marathon is about experience, not time.
On race day, she advises: nothing new, pace yourself, fuel early and often, and listen to your body over your watch.
“Marathon day is about execution, not perfection,” she reminds us.
Summary of Key Marathon Training Insights from Coach Victoria Phillippi
- Train Smart and Regularly: Build a strong, year-round running base instead of only training intensely before races. Avoid generic plans and include strength training and mental preparation.
- Build Speed Before Distance: Focus on improving speed and VO2 max through shorter distance workouts before increasing marathon distance. Endurance is easier to build than elite speed.
- Rest Is Essential: Schedule rest days to prevent injury and burnout. Walk breaks during runs are smart strategies, not failures.
- Develop a Solid Marathon Strategy: For your first marathon, prioritise experience over time. On race day, stick to familiar gear and fueling, pace yourself wisely, and listen to your body instead of obsessing over your watch.
