I grew up in Strasbourg, and from 1998 through 1999, I was running in the same club than Mehdi Baala. We both attended the French Nationals at this time and traveled together along with other athletes. I can tell you that back then, Jean-Michel Diringer (Medhi's coach) made him run a lot of milage... Mehdi was always training hard! He once told me that he breaks down the 1500 in 3 parts... That is the approach he would take for the 1500. I know he ran some workouts including 500's with short recovery... I also used to run some milage with them sometimes as I was a 400 meter runner. Mehdi also spent time with my coach Jean-Pierre Abosolo (84 Olympics Cameroon) to focus on his weight room program. I have watched Mehdi Baala get better and better as he always trained hard, and sacrificed a lot.. He is a tough competitor and remains calm. He is also very humble! I don't have details of his training as this goes way back.. But he trained everyday and very hard!