Matt Baum (flrunners.com): Andy, thanks for the interview, man. Lets start things off with this years track season. I
would say you had a pretty solid season; placing 2nd in the 1,600 and 6th in 3,200 at the State meet as well as some great
times during the regular season. Were you content with how the season went?
Andy Biladeau: Well I would say I was satisfied, but I know that I can still run a quality 2 mile. As for the mile I think I can run faster, but its just a matter of time before I develop more speed to be able to compete on a bigger scale.
MB:Now, did you happen to focus more on the 1,600 this spring?
AB: Well, earlier in the season I had some setbacks that kind of prevented me from competing in the 3200, so Coach [Boza] and I decided to work on my speed and work up to the distance.
MB: AOC is coming up and you're doing the 2 mile there, right?
AB: Yes, indeed I am.
MB: You're going to be racing some of the tops dogs and you really haven't competed in any national level races on the track besides the Nike Indoor Classic Freshman Mile. How do you think that will affect you?
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Personal Stats: Name: Andrew James Biladeau (Biladeau means loveletter in French) Birthdate: 4/24/87 Height: 6'1 Weight: 132 |
MB: I'm not quite sure if many people know about this, but you were diagnosed with being anemic in the winter. Was that what you were referring to as some of your "setbacks"?
AB: It began after Footlocker in Cross Country. I ran very poorly in Charlotte, and after the race was over I knew
that there was some thing wrong with my body. After talking to some people we heard about this sickness called anemia. A
teammate of mine had it and he had had many similar symtoms. So I got blood work done and found that I had a very low iron
level.
And after talking to the doctor she said that it was going to take a couple months to get back to normal. I began taking iron
supplements daily and saw improvement. But in early February I got very sick with a virus and could only take antibiotics and
no supplements. So my iron level declined to lower than before.
MB: Have you fully recovered?
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Personal Records: 800: 1:59 1,600: 4:17.34 3,200: 9:13 5,000: 15:03 |
MB: Is there a chance of you getting sick again?
AB:Somewhat I suppose. I just need to take iron supplements and eat iron rich foods.
MB: So, has your training been going well since you've recovered from your virus that you had in February?
AB: Yeah, it has been a progression from a 1,600 every other week to the State series.
MB: Can you give us some quick insight into what your training has been like lately?
AB: It has been a mix of tempo and speedwork on the track twice a week. As for weekly mileage, I am not a high mileage guy. I do 55-60 in the summer and winter but as for in season, I rarely run more than 50 mpw ever.
MB: What are your plans for this summer? Will you be attending any camps?
AB: Oh yeah, summer training is one of my favorite things. I will be going to Coach Benson's Asheville camp for my 6th year, and to Appalachian Team camp.
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Favorite Runner(s): Quenton Cassidy, Pat Biladeau, and Ryan Shay Favorite Food: Roasted chicken Sub on Honey Oat bread from Subway (not on the Jared diet) Favorite Bands: Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Weezer, and The Who Favorite Quote: "It was all joy and woe, hard as a diamond; it made him weary beyond comprehensio. But it also made him free" |
MB: Now, going back 2 years ago, you were running with one of Florida's best, Rolf Steier and under the coaching of Mike Phillips at Berkely Prep. What made you move over to Jesuit?
AB: Well first of all, Rolf. Rolf was more than just a training partner. He was a mentor and great friend of mine. He taught me so much about running. (He also gave the pre race tradition of reading Calvin and Hobbes). But as for the move, it was by no means a "transfer" I was at the end of my eighth grade year and I knew that after Rolf left, the program was not going to be stable (i.e. They had 3 coaches in 3 years) and I had gone to camp with the Jesuit team the previous summer. I weighed my options and Jesuit was a better fit for me than Berkeley's High school division. I still maintain that it is the best decision I have ever made. Coach Boza is an incredible man and coach.
MB: Now, lets fast foward a little bit. I know you're still 2 years away from graduation, but do you have any dreams
of where you would like to attend college?
AB: Well, not exactly. I do know that in college I would like to start to really develop my training to a higher level (i.e. more mileage) I wouldn't make a decision based solely on running. But I try not to think about college. It makes for a distraction. I just want to stay healthy and keep focused on high school.
MB: Alright, time to wrap things up with some easy questions. Do you have a most memorable moment in your running career?
AB: Definetly. This past winter my brother ran in the Hops Marathon. I was fortunate enough to run with him for the second half. Seeing him do so well and being a miniscule part of it was so exihilerating. He had been training for 5 months and he had never run before. He ran 3:07 to qualify for Boston. Unfortunately he had an IT band problem and was unable to compete.
MB: Word on the street is you're going to forgo your junior and senior seasons and move to Finland to be under the coaching of the great Seppo Kaitainen who won the prestige Southeastern University mile back in the 70s. Can you confirm any of this gossip?
AB: Well I don't know how you heard that. It was suppose to be a secret. But now that you've asked. Yes I am moving to Finland. I want to train at a higher altitude than a certain runner who has recently moved to CO. But yes I am leaving on a jet plane and I don't know when I'll be back again.
MB:Alright, I think that about does it, Andy. Thanks for the interview and good luck to you at AOC.
AB:Thank you, Matt. And a shout out to Jesuit Track team and Chico Rico Track Club as well as Central Florida Gliders.
| From The Desk Of Matt Baum: For Andy's sake, please do not take any truth to Andy moving to Finland to be under the training of Seppo Kaitainen. |