Destiny Ogali's Mindset: Why I Keep Sprinting

BY DESTINY OGALI

All athletes will have their justifications for competing and a list of victories they hope to achieve from the sport. For me, I just love running.

For as long as I can remember I have always been running in some capacity. Whether it was on the football pitch, in my back garden or the corridors of my house, I was always running! It’s a lot of fun for me and I love doing it. The sport does come with its challenges, but that’s just part of the game.

You must be able to embrace the sport throughout your entire athlete journey. I have had to learn this over time. I’m still learning now! Hopefully, some of the things I’ve learnt and experienced can be of help to you as you embark on your journey in track and field.

Photography: Anthony Wood

Why do I still run?

I adore the sport. There's no other explanation than that!

Every time I get the chance to run, it brings me so much joy. I have no desire to quit or give up. It’s a lot of fun for me. Competing at different tracks around the country and being a part of a track team is immensely enjoyable.

It isn’t something that everyone gets the opportunity to do, so I don’t take that for granted. I have also been able to meet and run with some incredible people which makes the whole experience even better. Making memories is important!

Photography: Anthony Wood

What excites me about the journey?

The opportunity to learn and improve, for sure. 

I always strive to be better and help others along the way. I recognise that things take time, so lots of patience is often involved with the process. I have come to terms with that. In my opinion, improving and gaining as much experience and knowledge as possible is so vital.

I also look forward to travelling and visiting different countries and tracks around the world. When I went abroad for the first time to compete, it felt so surreal. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have the chance to race or compete in other countries when I started, so I’m super grateful for every opportunity I've had so far.

Do I have a memorable moment or competition?

One that springs to mind is the first time I did the British Senior Outdoor Championships.

I was a junior at the time so the invitation I received came as a massive surprise. It was memorable in the sense that it set me off on a path where I was now able to see what it’s like to compete against the best athletes in the country.

In normal circumstances, I wouldn’t typically be racing athletes of that calibre. It supplied me with a new and fresh challenge that I would need to experience and learn from. I didn’t make it out of the heats, but I left that day with a valuable memory. Being able to see the British Senior professional athletes doing their warm-up routines was also a real treat.

I was so used to seeing them on television that it was somewhat strange to see them all in person. I was able to observe what elite-level athletes do in their warm-up and preparations before a race. The competition was also held at the Alexander Stadium before its recent renovations, so I can look back fondly on how it was on the day and remember it well. All in all, it was a lot of fun!

What's my mindset towards track?

Enjoy it!

I know I won’t get these years back, so I want to ensure that I look back at the time I spent in the sport with pure joy. Have fun with it and enjoy every part of it. It’s all learning for me. 

What do I think I can produce?

The exciting part about this sport is that you can never know for sure.

You can get a rough idea based on what you do in training, but that's about it. As much as I have goals, I just want to keep improving and learn as much as I can, no matter what I ultimately have in mind.

Being too fixated on times can be counterproductive. Being healthy and in shape, on the other hand, definitely helps. The aim should always be to stay healthy and keep going!

Photography: Anthony Wood

Have I reached my peak?

I wouldn’t say so. 

My past few seasons have been injury-ridden, so I haven’t been able to hit my stride as of yet. I’ve got a ways to go yet, which is exciting for sure. I’m just taking each day as it comes for now.

Each athlete will be slightly different in terms of when they peak, so it’s hard for anyone to know their full potential. But, if you're asking for my opinion, I think staying healthy plays a factor in that as well. The healthier you are, the better.

An accumulation of injuries can take a toll on the body. Of course, they happen, but it’s always better to listen to the body in the early stages to ensure things are dealt with properly to stop things from worsening. 

Have I changed or altered my journey to better aid my training?

I think nowadays, I better understand how my body works.

For a long time, I would ignore the signs my body was giving me which only resulted in further injuries. This was a process for me. I always thought I could push through it, but time and time again I was proven wrong.

This was a lesson I had to learn. I’ve made some adjustments to ensure I’m not overdoing it on any given day. Rest and recovery are key. Training takes a toll on the body. It isn’t always just that one session but more so the accumulation of multiple sessions that can wear you down over time. I have had to learn this the hard way. Making adjustments isn’t a bad thing at all. It can help provide better structure and balance to what you are doing. In my case, it’s been super helpful.

Photography: Anthony Wood

What lessons have I learnt along the way?

You have to be patient. Things truly do take time.

It’s important to take care of your body as well. Don’t ignore the signs. If there is an issue, get it checked out as soon as possible so that it doesn't get worse. The earlier the better.

Don’t overdo it either. It’s very easy to do too much, which can ultimately cost you and hinder your progress if you're not careful. 

I have also learnt to enjoy the journey. It’s all good fun and makes for exciting times and future memories. So many other people can benefit from watching your journey too, which you may not even realise at first.

It isn’t just about you (and I mean that sincerely!). Being able to pour your heart and soul out onto the track for others can actually be pretty influential. I want the sport to grow, so for that to happen, I have to be able to share my experiences with others so they too can benefit. I didn’t realise how important this was until recently.

Do medals fuel me?

No, not really. At the risk of repeating myself, I just want to constantly get better at the sport I entirely devote myself to.

Medals are nice and I’m always grateful for them, but it’s more the intangibles that I value. I could lose a medal, and it’s gone forever, but the memories I make and experiences I gain will always last a lifetime.

Do I enjoy competition?

When I’m healthy, yes!

For a while now, I had been racing while either being hurt or just coming back from injury, so it’s been quite a strange journey for me recently. It wasn’t something I was accustomed to, so it was a real shock to the system in all honesty.

Does it feel different being a Senior athlete as opposed to a Junior?

Not really!

These past few seasons have flown by to the point where I haven’t even realised the change in age group. My time as a junior was wonderful and I learned plenty from my first few years in the sport.

I loved doing the Eastern Young Athletes League for my club. The idea of going over to compete as a team all together on a coach for a whole day was so much fun. At the time, I’d never really expected that to change.

The League format does continue for seniors in the form of the National League which is a great transition, especially if you really enjoy team competition like I do. When I first started the sport, it was all that I knew. Coming from a team sport background (namely football), it gave me the sense of familiarity that I had been so accustomed to.

Do I still enjoy the sport?

Absolutely! Again, I run because I enjoy it!!

There are countless memories I’ve made as a track and field athlete, all of which have given me so much joy. Pure enjoyment has always been why I’ve remained in the sport.

Why is sprinting important?

Like any form of exercise, of course, it’s good for you! 

It’s an alternative to long-distance running if you’d like to try something different that also provides health benefits. It’s a great way to increase your heart rate and keep fit while trying something new! It can also be very exciting to embark on the journey of getting faster over time.

The great thing about sprinting is that it is very easy to track and measure progress through timing. You can compare past sessions to gauge whether or not you have improved and make the necessary adjustments with your coaches to ensure you continue to progress. 

Photography: Anthony Wood

Is sprinting good for your brain?

Potentially yes!

Being able to just run freely without thinking can give your mind the necessary rest it needs.

Hopefully, the answers to these questions provide you with a better insight of my journey and why I keep going. I have made plenty of memories, met some insanely cool people and learnt a lot along the way, all of which I hope to continue doing for many years to come. There have been some ups and downs throughout the process, but if I'm being honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

About Destiny Ogali

Destiny is a sprinting athlete who competes for Harrow AC, and he is incredibly passionate about helping other sprinters and athletes go further in their athletic journeys!

He already has experience in discussing athletics topics with others through The Visions Network, where he has sat down and spoken with some great athletes, including Desiree Henry and Aidan Syers!

You can find Destiny's sprint performances on his Power of 10 profile.

Instagram: @destinyogali & @thevisionsnet