Top British 100m sprinter James Dasaolu spoke to us in an exclusive interview earlier this year.
It's been a difficult year for you with injuries...
Yes, I didn’t have a good winter. I fractured my foot in January in South Africa and had three months off. I only came back to training at the beginning of April, but I was able to train through April and May for 6 to 8 weeks of solid training which helped me to get into the kind of shape I’m in now.
How did you deal with getting injured?
Well, I was studying so I was able to turn to my degree in Leisure Management and Sports Development which I was doing at Loughborough [University]. I was able to focus on my books and the time off-track helped my studies – your last-year dissertation is hard to fit in with travelling to competitions and training full-time. So from that perspective I was able to finish my degree strongly, although I’m concentrating on my track and field career right now.
What do you think about when you’re racing?
I try to have clear thoughts; you don’t want to over-think it. I might think about technical aspects. Maybe if I’ve had a poor start I’ll try and react with a drive for 30 metres, and think of the stages of my race – try and keep relaxed, good arm action, good knee action, hips up – that kind of thing is going through my head.
How do you deal with losing a race?
I just think, ‘It’s one race’. The only guy I know who doesn’t lose races is Usain Bolt. You have to look to set things right as soon as possible in your next race.
What is your next goal?
I’d like to go to the Commonwealth Games as long as I’m fit and healthy and training’s going well. The 2012 Olympics are the ultimate goal, but of course there are various other competitions before that – the Commonwealth Games, the European Athletics Indoor Championships, the World Championships in Korea next year – these are all stepping stones that help you get to 2012.
And how do you feel about the 2012 Olympics – does it mean more that it’s in London?
Yes, it’s my home town. I grew up in South London so it means a lot to me – your family and friends can come and see you compete at an Olympic Games, plus there’s the buzz and atmosphere concerning the Games being in London.
Who are your sporting heroes?
I’m quite a big Asafa Powell fan, maybe not for what he’s won, but more for his technique and mannerisms – he’s a nice, free-flowing, beautiful runner to watch.
Are you looking at doing other events?
I’d like to go for the 200m as well as 100m but because I’ve been prone to a few injuries in the past I’ve never been able to do a 200m because I haven’t been able to train for it and get my fitness up and run off the curve. I’m hoping over a full winter of training I’ll be able to do the 200m as well as the 100m.
Is taking on two events harder?
Well, in the 200m you have to learn how to run off the curve – the start is on the bend. There are more phases to a 200m than there are to a 100m – but it’s a sprint and I’m a sprinter!
What made you take up athletics?
I was always good at it at school and my school teacher had always told me to do track, but I was half-hearted, I might turn up to a running club for one week/two weeks and more in the summer and then just go back to playing computer games and hanging out with my mates…! It wasn’t until I was in college where decisions have to be made about whether to go to Uni and what you’re going to do with your life that I thought ‘I was always good at track, I don’t remember ever losing a race as a kid so why not give it a go and see how far it can take me?’ Here I am today!
With my family background sport wasn’t really encouraged as a profession. It was more: ‘Go to school and read your books’. My parents fully support me now, but it wasn’t in my head that I could become a professional sports person. Now I still enjoy doing it for fun but of course there’s also a professional aspect.
What is your training schedule?
At the moment it’s 6 days a week, 5-6 hours a day, in two sessions with a break in between.
What’s your favourite meal?
I like good Chinese – but that’s a rare treat that I have more in the winter than in the summer when it doesn’t matter as much what goes into your system.
When you’re training do you have to keep to a strict diet?
Yes, relatively, but I don’t mind it; it’s a small price to pay.
What do you do to relax?
I play computer games – mainly with [fellow athletes] Leon Baptiste and David Hughes! Sometimes I go to church – that relaxes me.
Do you have any superstitions or routines you follow before each race?
No, I try to keep away from that. I used to listen to music but I don’t even listen to music any more. I try to keep it as simple as possible so nothing can go wrong. If I come to the track all I need is some water, spikes and my competition vest.
Have you got any advice for young aspiring athletes?
Take your time; athletics is always about progression and development. You might not be running the time you want to run now but it will come one day if you just work hard at it.