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Andrew Baddeley
Andrew Baddeley is Britain's number 1 1500m runner. Baddeley is sixth on the all-time Brit list, behind Cram (3:46.32), Sebastian Coe (3:47.33), Ovett (3:48.40), Elliott (3:49.20) and David Moorcroft (3:49.34), it is also the fastest time run by a Brit since 1988. He became the UK's first 'Dream Mile' winner since Peter Elliott in 1991, joining a list that includes Steve Cram and Steve Ovett.
Andrew Has made the final for Commonwealth Games, World Championships, European Championships and of course the Olympic Games last year. He is one of only a few World Class athletes that Britain currently have.
Personal bests
| Distance | Time |
|---|---|
| 800m | 1.46.32 |
| 1500m | 3.34.36 |
| 1 mile | 3.49.38 |
| 3000m | 7.45.10 |
Easy runs
Q. Do you ever do them?
A. A lot of my runs are "easy", mainly to recover from tougher runs and sessions.
Q. What would be easy pace?
A. Anywhere between 6:30 and 7:30 per mile.
Q. Are they important?
A. They serve a purpose to allow me to adapt to the tougher training.
Steady runs
Q. Do you do them?
A. Almost every day.
Q. At what pace?
A. It varies, as I run how I feel a lot of the time, but aim to finish a steady run at or under 6:00 per mile.
Q. Reason for steady running?
A. Endurance training in its simplest form
Interval work
Q. How many times a week?
A. 2-3
Q. Can you give examples of important or key sessions?
A. Threshold runs, hill sessions and mile reps.
Q. What would be your shortest fastest session?
A. Probably 4x300m
I enjoy my running a lot more when I have company, and I'm lucky to have what I think is one of the best training groups in the country - Mike Skinner, Mark Draper, Neil Gamester and Matt Carlisle to name a few. All year round I try to stay on trails and grass for longer reps though.
Group training
Q. Is it essential to reach the top?
A. I prefer training in a group as we all push each other, but sometimes running on your own is good for giving you the discipline and mentality for racing rather than when you're on your own.
Running and certainly competing is lonely, and at the end of the day, the only person who can do it is your self. I think a good balance between running on your own for discipline and having others around for added motivation is key. That said though if it's your training then you need to be prepared to go at the pace that feels right for you on that run, and not feel pressured into "competing".
Training races
Q. Do you use races as training?
A. I would always try to learn something from a race, either deliberately or in hindsight, but it's rare for me to use a race as a training session.
Mileage
Q. What sort of mileage are you doing in training phases?
A. Between 85 and 100 miles all year round.
Q. What is your longest run of the week?
A. 90 minutes
Q. Do you run big mileage when racing?
A. Yes, still around 90 miles a week
I think you need the longer runs to get stronger, but also need to allow your body to recover on the easy runs.
Cross country
Q. Is it important?
A. Yes. It's a great leveller, and allows me to compete against cross-country specialists as a really tough physical test. It also means I have smaller aims throughout the winter to focus on. I also enjoy cross country because it is how I came into running at school, and everyone knows how gruelling it can be so there's a good camaraderie.
Strength work
Q. Do you do Circuits?
A. No, although I regularly do core work.
Q. Do you do Weights?
A. Twice a week with a third drills session.
Massage
Q. Do you ever use it?
A. Yes, as often as possible but usually once or twice a week a few hours after a tough session.
Diet
Q. Any special diet?
A. Just sensible healthy food. Most of the year, I struggle to eat enough and am always hungry!
Altitude / warm weather training
Q. Do you ever use altitude or warm weather camps?
A. I've spent time in Australia at sea level (Melbourne) and altitude (Falls Creek) over the British winter. It means I can get faster, harder training done when it's too cold to do it in the UK. I enjoy the altitude because at 'Falls' it is very isolated with no distractions. The sessions are much tougher, which makes training at sea level feel easier when I come back down.
Thoughts on British distance running
I think that there isn't quite the same depth as in the past, because there are other more lucrative sports that are accessible at school now. Saying that, I think what a lot of people don't realise is that whilst times haven't moved on that much since Cram, Coe and Ovett were running, there are now a much larger number of people capable of running those times worldwide which makes it very competitive. This is what motivates me in training and racing, because it is definitely possible to compete with the best in the world.
Experiences
Q. How did you keep your cool on the start line of the Olympic final?
A. I tried to stay focused on my race plan, and the fact that I had raced these guys before - that said, it's easier said than done, 90000 people in the incredible bird's nest stadium!
Q. At what point did you realise you were going to win the dream mile in Oslo?
A. With 500m to go I knew I'd be close, and just needed to stay in touch and go hard, I still felt strong and knew it had been a fast early pace.
Q. How did it feel, not only to win the most famous mile in history, but to break the 3.50 barrier as well?
A. My coach, Andy Hobdell had said to me after the 2007 mile that really world class milers run sub 3.50, but in the 2008 race all I was thinking about was trying to win - the time was a massive bonus! Andy was there in the stands, and jumped out onto the track I'm not sure which of us was more excited!
Q. What is next for 'Badders'?
A. Lots more hard training, a trip to Australia, and we'll see what 2009 holds...
Andrew Baddeley
Comments On "Andrew Baddeley Talks to Runners Life"
Really hope Andy gets on track and in the medals at the WC this season - one of the most talented athletes we have had for years.
matt. yates Posted on May 30th, 2011