The 7 Secrets to a Perfect Taper | London Marathon

I have run FIVE marathons now and have maintained a streak of running faster in every single one of them but how have I done it?

Well today's video is going to delve in to my taper secrets for marathons (or any other races) that have made sure I am at my peak come race day. So WATCH ON for some actual tricks of the trade to get you that shiny PB. If you're training for London Marathon like me or any other races drop us a comment so we can cheer you on 🎉

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In this vid ⬇️
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:10 Effective Marathon Tapering Strategies
00:04:41 Preparing for Race Day Uncertainties
00:06:56 Setting Realistic Goals
00:09:41 Self-Care Strategies
00:11:53 Effective Carb Loading for Marathon Preparation
00:16:51 Visualisation Techniques

[jenniferstamm]

Hi Phily, you asked for goals a couple videos back as well and I shared my very scary goal of a 1:45 HM. I'm happy to let you know that today I finished in 1:44 today 🎉

[MarieHafner]

Ran my first ever Marathon with 39 yesterday in Vienna. Only 3 long Trainingruns in my Trainings and a lot because of the Winter on the treadmill. Was also trapped in the restroom for 5min until a nice female runner could unlock the door from the outside - Finishing in 4:24😱😁. It was sooo cold and windy but the people were awesome❤. Never thought I will even finish😳 - Running is my medicine, my metime. Thankyou for you awesome trainingvlogs - they help a lot - even though I only aimed to finish!!! Greetings from Austria 🤗

[julianclay]

Just wanted to say a big thank you. I have taken lots of advice from your content over the last year and just ran the Lincoln 10k today in 46.38. Beating my pb by 3m57s. Not bad for a 51 year old bloke who couldn’t walk properly 8 years ago. Thanks for sharing your training with us and I pray 🙏 that everything goes to plan for you in London 🤞. Thanks again

[owenspottiswoode]

Great tips! Sadly arrived a bit late for me - I ran the Brighton Marathon earlier today and got 3:43, which I was very happy with. Good luck to all the others in the comments preparing for theirs, and of course to you in London - I'll be cheering you on!

[academiccatlady]

Prague Marathon, 4th May 2025. Goal A = 4:20, Goal B: = 4:45 (BP), Goal C = Finish. Age 51. Broke the 5 hr barrier in 2017. Not done a Marathon since 2019. Once did a sub 2 hr half, but that was before the pandemic. Based on training so far, 4:20 is a possibility. But anything under 5 hrs will make me happy. Just finishing will do me. Love the Grind!!
Wishing you well for the London! This year I plan to remember to put into the ballot for 2026.

[latebloomerabroad]

Visualization absolutely works! I was a swimmer in the 70's, and I visualized a lot during training (there's not a lot to do when your face is underwater), it's what kept me working hard. And I visualized every detail before any big race, and it always helped.

[AllisonKing-ct]

I ran my first half today! It was equal parts the best thing I’ve ever done while also being the hardest thing I’ve ever willing put my body through! Mad respect to you and your talent and training as a runner!

[distorter-icu]

After a painful DNF last October at 35k while being on pace for breaking 3:30 for the first time, I did it yesterday, actually smashing it in 3:24. Aiming for 3:16-3:20 later this year, in autumn most likely. Loving the grind!

[valeriemiller]

Tapering for Boston Marathon #5. As a 70 year old...listening to you is very very helpful and just calming for me. I hate tapering but know it has to be done. Thankyou Phily for the good work!!!

[iankeeling]

Great video Philly, I can really relate to a lot of what you said as I’m into my last week of taper before Paris next week!!
Your content is brilliant and has been relatable to my goal in my 3rd marathon of getting under the 3hr mark. Paris was always meant to be a stepping stone to an autumn sub 3hr attempt, but I feel like I have a chance next week! And that good for age ticket to London 2025.
Good luck to you in London, I look forward to watching on tv.
I ran London in 2023 and you will love it! Thanks again for your inspiring content.

[meergo]

Hi Philly! I just ran Berlin Half today. I used your pacing plan, and managed to PB my half by 3 minutes. Felt flying through the whole race, and cranking up the speed for the last 3 km was the best feeling ever. Thank you for all your amazing content! 🎉

[emilysanchez]

Phily!! Your London marathon exactly coincides to when I run my Brooklyn half marathon so you’ve effectively been my coach during this training block! I’m running my second half marathon and I’m trying to PB by about 20 minutes, sub 1:40 🤞🏻I feel the fittest I’ve ever felt and I want to give it my absolute all. Love the grind!!

[ianjames]

Phily should have 1M subs, these are priceless insights 👏👏👏

[aszalai]

Just came back from running 24k in the Vienna Marathon as part of a relay, beat almost all of my PBs from 5k to HM, had a hamburger and a beer, Tour of Flanders is on, and Phily just released a new video. Life is good :) By the way, do you plan to come to the Vienna Track Night by any chance? It is a similar event to the Night of the 10k PBs, and sponsored by ON...

[DerULF]

My next marathon will be in Paris next Sunday. The goals (for me running my 38th Marathon now in the M55 class): Having fun, finishing without injuries and I think it'll take me about 4:30h.

[alck]

Running Paris marathon this day next week! I've had some issues with my achilles so my new goal is to finish and enjoy it along the way but also to trust myself and make the right decisions for my body on the day!

[rosiethorogood]

Going for my second ever marathon in just over 2 weeks at Boston! Dreaming about the 2:55! Thanks so much for all this advice!!

[jaxxlyn]

Not a marathon goal, but I am new to running and have my first 5k coming up in May! I am just hoping to run the whole thing 😊

[ducksnaps]

I'm running my first ever marathon in exactly a week in Rotterdam, eek! Since it's my debut, I'm not too set on a time - my main priority is having a good time and enjoying the hell out of it. But as a secondary goal, I'm aiming for anywhere between 3:00 and 3:15!

[omgwtflrz]

Thanks for making that video! I'm running my first marathon in 4 weeks and I'm starting to freak out. My original goal was to run it right under 4 hours, I specifically trained for that pace, but now that I'm close to the taper I realise my goal should be to run conservatively and finish strong instead (and do a time goal for the second marathon).