Bud Baldaro is one of the country's top middle and long distance running coaches with more than 20 years experience in coaching athletes at all levels.
A former national marathon coach, Bud now works as a mentor for England Athletics and is athletics coach to the University of Birmingham team. Bud has coached Olympians, Commonwealth medalists, World & European champions and several UK record breakers. His depth of knowledge and ability to motivate is second to none.
Bud Baldaro Q&A
Can you give us a brief career history?
Like lots of kids I was mad on football and went to a boy’s grammar school which made you run and compete in sports. So I took up running to keep kit for football and for 4 years I played football 3 times a week and raced every weekend, then gradually switched to racing. Then when I got injured I started coaching and teaching and I began to teach school kids and national school kids, national champions, club runners, club internationals and then Olympic athletes and it all snowballed from there.
What’s your current job?
This has 3 parts:
Endurance coach at the University of Birmingham
England coach mentor for endurance racers
Advisor to Bristol’s half marathon and 10k runners.
What is your favourite sport?
I love volleyball, football and athletics.
What’s the longest run you have ever completed?
A marathon. I have managed to complete the London, Birmingham and Sandbach marathons.
What is your favourite running discipline?
When I was spectating I loved to watch track and field, especially pole vault and long jump. Plus I love all long distance races.
How did you first get into coaching?
When I was a runner and got injured I had always liked working with kids as I liked to see kids realise their full potential. I actually have a bit of a hang up about kids not realising their full potential.
What are your accolades and achievements to date?
I am a bit shy on this one. I have coached maybe 60 GB internationals, I have also coached Marion who won the Chicago marathon, Bev Hardy who won the Commonwealth medal at 1500m, Lorraine Baker won the European indoor medal and a Commonwealth games marathon medal. Guys who have won both national titles and national schools titles as well as the Loughborough University squad.
What was your career highlight?
It’s probably from coaching and watching my own kids play football rather than my own personal achievement.
What’s your favourite sporting moment?
Watching the 10,000m between Gebreselassie and Tergat in Sydney.
Do you have a motto?
I get the mick taken out of me at university as I have several mantras which I say all the time like rhythm and relax, cruise at pace, so we have lots of little catchphrases.
How does it feel to be part of the ASICS Pro Team?
It is really great as I have this passionate belief about working with runners of all levels whether they are internationals, first time runners or joe joggers. I generally believe that if they get the concept right then they can have a massive impact on improving running across the UK.
What advice would you give to people considering starting to run?
Be patient, be realistic and above all have fun.
For those more advanced what are your best training tips for them looking to go one step further?
Take yourself out of the comfort zone on a gradual and realistic basis.
How do you keep training sessions interesting to avoid monotony?
We do lots of things such as hill work, temp work, fartlek work, interval training and we never do the same session twice, you have to be creative and use your imagination well.
