Miles or Kilometres? | The Running Channel’s Andy Baddeley Takes The Hot Seat

Next in the Miles or KMs hot seat is Olympian and Running Channel CEO, Andy Baddeley!

Do you measure in miles or kms?

I always think about paces and overall distance in miles. The only time I use km is if I’m doing a specific workout (like km reps!) where it makes more sense!

Do you listen to music or podcasts when you’re running? If so, what might we find on your playlist?

If it’s a long run, I’ll listen to a podcast. I’m a BIG Shagged, Married, Annoyed fan. I pretty regularly pass perfect strangers whilst laughing my head off, or have to stop to catch my breath because I’m laughing too hard. If it’s a workout, I’ll either go no headphones to focus fully on what I’m doing, or I’ll stick to music. Something uplifting – currently I have an Ibiza Anthem playlist from Spotify on my watch.

Do you measure your runs in time or distance?

I’ve always used time and not really worried about distance. So I would aim for a 90-minute long run, or run an easy 30 minutes for example. 

Do you prefer tights or shorts?

Usually shorts unless it’s really cold (although I normally run in half tights). NEVER shorts over tights for me! 

What are the key recovery techniques you use?

Right now, I get mobbed by the kids whenever I come in from a run, so ‘recovery’ usually involves carrying them upstairs two at a time and then wrestling on the floor for a bit. But when I was competing and training seriously, I was pretty militant with my routine; Warm clothes on and protein bar or shake as soon as I finished my cool down, a gentle stretch-flow routine and sometimes put recovery compression leggings on too after really tough workouts. Then home for a proper protein-rich meal. And I would always try to nap during the day, especially if I’d done my tough workout in the morning. I had regular deep tissue massage once a week, and found that getting in the gym for my routine S&C sessions actually helped with overall recovery because my conditioning was better. 

What are you training for currently? 

My main motivation is to make sure that in a few years, my kids don’t look at me and say “how on earth did you run in the Olympics?!”. I don’t have a specific race in mind, but have a target of doing full Sunday runs with the group I run with regularly – so 13 miles or so.

How have you motivated yourself over the past year?

Running, and fresh air in general has been an antidote to the relentlessness of 2020. Getting a run in makes me more effective at work, and more attentive with the kids!

Who is inspiring you at the moment?

Generally, if I think about what motivates me – to meditate, to be more effective at work, to enjoy the day to day a bit more – it’s my children. They put everything in perspective, so I try to be grateful for them, and be as present as I can be when I’m with them.

What’s your best running memory?

Winning the Dream Mile in Oslo in 3:49. I’d seen Ovett and Cram win there, and the history of the event meant a lot to me. Andy, my coach, was in the stands and I gave him the flowers on my lap of honour – it still gives me goosebumps thinking about it. It also meant I finished 2008 as the fastest miler in the world.

If you weren’t able to run anymore, but could participate in any other activity. What would it be and why?

Any team sport! I gave up football and other team sports to focus on running, which is ultimately a lonely endeavour at the highest level! I’d love to be part of a team – training with my training partners is what I miss most about elite athletics, so I’d love to recapture that on the pitch.

Finally, what’s YOUR favourite Running Channel video and why?

My fave is the Scavenger Hunt challenge – it was so much fun, and gave me a totally different perspective on my run to normal. I love making all the challenge videos and am naturally competitive, but this even inspired me to go out and do the same with my kids, who LOVED it. And I’m actually still laughing at Rick, which is always nice.