WIRRAL’S 1500m dynamo Andy Baddeley returned to domestic track action over the weekend but looked every part the world class athlete.
Baddeley fired up his summer season with a comfortable victory in Manchester, cruising through an 800m outing at the opening British Miler’s Club event of the season in 1:48.56. However, despite his early season success, the 28-year-old admits he won’t be sure of his level over his customary 1500m distance until later in the year when the world’s best have each shown their hand.
“It went well for a season opener as conditions were tough, a lot colder and windier than we had hoped, but I chatted to Chris Smith (pacemaker) and he took me through 400 in what I wanted and it just then became a time trial as no one had bothered to come with me,” said the Beijing finalist.
“I was just pleased with how I felt really so it was a good exercise and once I’ve done a few 1500s this year I’ll know where I’m at against the best in the world and be able to make judgements really.”
Baddeley asserted himself on the race in the early stages, latching on to the race pacemaker to build a commanding lead through 400 metres which would eventually afford him almost a one second victory over American Jack Bolas and as in previous years, the former student of Wirral AC coach Dave Jeffs viewed the outing over a shorter distance as ideal preparation for bigger things to come.
Asked why he had raced under distance on the same weekend for three of the last four seasons, Baddeley said: “To get my legs turning over that little bit quicker really and then in a big 1500 the pace doesn’t seem as crazy in the early stages as if you were just thrown into it.”
Typically found trotting the globe in search of world class opponents, Baddeley will be viewed by many as a shoe-in for a Team GB place at this summer’s World Championships in South Korea but admits he has adopted a one step at a time approach to his season as like many members of the UK elite brigade, he faces regular questions on London 2012.
“Your mind does wander to next year because people keep asking me about it but I’ll take one step at a time as this year I have to qualify for both the Worlds and the Olympics,” added the 1500 metre man.
“For now though my focus is the World Championships as you can’t get too far ahead of yourself.”
