Destinee Gause, as a Freshman and a Sophomore at Reynoldsburg High School, has already established herself as one of the premier girls sprinters in Ohio. As a Junior, she is poised to perhaps become the most prolific girls Track and Field athlete in Ohio history. As a Freshman, she won the D1 Girls 200m title and ran on Reynoldsburg’s 4x100 and 4x400 state champion relay teams. She was also a member of the 2009 2nd place 4 x 200 team. In 2009, the 4x400 team set a new D1 State record. The Reynoldsburg girls were also the D1 State champions. In 2010, as a Sophomore, she repeated as the D1 Girls 200m champion and she also lead the Reynoldsburg girls to repeat first place finishes in the 4x100 and 4x400. The Reynoldsburg girls also repeated as the D1 team champions.
OHRunners: Destinee. Very few girls have stepped into the State spotlight with wins as Freshman. Not only did you win the D1 Girls 200m, but you were also an instrumental part of two winning relay teams and a State Championship Team. What were your thoughts after winning the 200m, the 4x200, winning and setting a new State record in the 4x400 and after your teams State Championship?
Destinee: After I won the 200 as a freshman (I remember this like it was yesterday) all kinds of thoughts were running through my head. I remember thinking " did I just win?" I was in so much shock because I used to dream of being a high school state champion and now I am. After the 4x2, my adrenaline was pumping, but I wasn't that surprised because I had already predicted that we were going to win. I just felt it. As for the 4x4, OMG words can’t explain that feeling. I was so happy and I just couldn't stop smiling. Our whole 4x4 team couldn't stop smiling. When they announced that we had won the state track meet overall, the first thing that popped in my head was " I know coach Hammond is proud of us because at the end of the day we do it for him. I mean we do for ourselves too, but he's the heart of the team.
OHRunners: After your successes as a freshman, what kind of pressure did you feel as a sophomore?
Destinee: When I came back as a sophomore, I have to say I was a lot more emotional than the year before because I felt like everyone expected a lot more out of me and that I had to live up to their expectations. So, when I didn't or felt like I didn't, I could be a little too hard on myself. I shed a couple tears then. I wasn’t as satisfied with my sophomore year as much as my freshman year!
OHRunners: Today, as a two time defending 200m champion and a part of two repeating relay championship teams, what pressure do you feel?
Destinee: The pressure I feel this year is that I HAVE to be better than last year. I HAVE to work harder than I did last year because I know there are people out there working really hard to take my spot, and I cant let that happen. I don't want that to happen and I won’t let that happen.
OHRunners: Do you enjoy competing in individual events or the relays more?
Destinee: Individual. I feel like I have to work harder and for some reason, I don't know why, lol, but at the end of my races I like to feel like I did something and I feel that every time I run in individual races. I don’t feel that way all the time with relays because (not trying to sound cocky) sometimes we already have the lead and there’s nothing for me to do. However, I do really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the 4x4.
OHRunners: Let's talk a little about your running background. When did you first start running? What did you run?Destinee: I believe I began running when I was around 5. So, I've been running for 12 years now. My older sister Racheena inspired me and every since then I've been in love with the sport. I ran the 800, 1600, and 400 up until I was about 12 years old, then my coach introduced me to the 200 which I WAS NOT happy about. But now I love the race. I've been a sprinter for only 4 years now.
OHRunners: What do you like about running? Why do you run? What type of runner do you view yourself as?
Destinee: I like running because its’ me and I love myself. LOL What I mean is I believe REAL runners are courageous, outgoing, competitive, smart, and strong. NOT only physically but mentally and emotionally too. They’re also optimistic and understanding and I can describe myself with every one of those words. I run because it brings excitement to my life. It's the ticket to my future and believe it or not, it takes me to another world. My world. My zone. You know? Away from everything and the people in this world. The track doesn't judge or discriminate. Its’ kind of like my thinking place. I see myself as an understanding runner.
OHRunners: In your career thus far, what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Destinee: Winning States my sophomore year with only 7 people.
OHRunners: After States and New Balance Nationals last Spring, did you take any time off from training?
Destinee: Yes. I ended in June and started training again in September.
OHRunners: What has been your Fall and early Winter training schedule in preparation for the upcoming indoor and outdoor seasons?
Destinee: FALL: Monday, Wednesday and Friday we’re in the weight room. Tuesday and Thursday we run 25 minute runs off the track. Every other Sunday I do a pool workout.
WINTER: Being that we just started our winter training, I really don't know right now what we will be doing?
OHRunners: What type of speed workouts do you do? At what times and intervals?Destinee: 100m breakdowns, which are 10m, 30m, 60m and 90m. Usually we don't have a time to beat. We just have to go at least 85% speed. We have to do a few sets of these. Block work. ALOT of block! We work the blocks so much that sometimes I think I would rather run 800's for practice. lol
OHRunners: What do your typical warm ups and warm downs consist of?
Destinee: WARM UP (changed this year) We run 2 laps, drills, hurdle drills, 3 accelerations. We don't do standing stretches. We do dynamic stretching. Its’ kind of like we're stretching but we're doing it in motion so we just add them in with drills. Warming up should take at least 45mins.
OHRunners: Do you train differently for the 200 and 400 or are you're workouts designed for both?
Destinee: The workouts they give me are designed for both, but sometimes I have workouts that are only training me for the 200. But usually it's both.
OHRunners: Describe your typical week during the season when you are preparing for an invitational on a Saturday.
Destinee: Mondays and Tuesdays are regular workout days, as I said.
Wednesday is 4-6 150 's and upper body lifting & core work.
Thursday is relay work. Exchanges.
Friday is kind of a chill day. Drills and stretching.
Saturday MEET DAY.
Sunday I do an ice bath (HATE THEM WITH A PASSION)
OHRunners: How do you mentally prepare for a race? Do you visualize your races?
Destinee: I prepare differently for every race, and yes I do visualize my races ALL THE TIME. Before every race, I put in my earphones and block out everyone and everything.
100: I have to tell myself not to anticipate the gun. I have a habit of doing that. I have to make myself cocky before this race because the more confident I feel, the better I do. I’m not as comfortable with the 100, as I am with the other races, simply because its new to me. And, it takes a lot more technique than most races.
200: Surprisingly, this is actually the only race that I don't block people out prior to running. But, I still have to remain focused. Being that I’m so passionate towards this race, I have to prepare myself not only mentally but emotionally as well, because you never know what could happen. And, if something doesn't go the way I planned it, I would be torn to pieces. So, I have to remind myself that its only one race and I’ll just have to do better next time.
400: lol omg It takes a lot of mental preparation for this race. Its’ a tough race, but I love it. I mean you really have to be a strong person to run this race. Before I run this, I have to allow myself to accept the exhaustion I’m going to feel when I hit the 200m mark and I have to allow myself to accept the fact that I will be in pain when I finish running lol and that’s easier said than done. I actually like the finish though. I get a boost of energy and excitement when I hear everyone cheering and calling my name at the 100 mark. My adrenaline starts pumping. I LOVE it, and the backstretch is kind of scary to me because that’s like where you position yourself. If you mess up there you mess up the whole race, ya know ? And its boring too. lol It seems like it last forever!
If someone hasn’t run a 400m before, then they won’t fully understand the mental preparation for the 400m.
OHRunners: How much time do you spend on practicing starts and exchanges?
Destinee: I practice starts everyday. It’s really annoying actually. I really don't like them because I have to do them so much. But, I know that they’re important and that they’re gonna help me in the long run. As for exchanges, I feel like we don't practice them as often as we should.
OHRunners: You have some very talented teammates, including a younger sister. How important is Team for Destinee versus winning an individual event?
Destinee: More than important. I believe the team is what makes the sport so much fun. Relays are so much more exciting than individual races because you have a TEAM. If I was the only person on the team, I probably wouldn't like the sport as much. And also, the team is what wins the meets not an individual person.
OHRunners: Let's talk some about your relationship with some of your teammates? First, your sister Diamond. She ran on last years 4x100 and 4x400 State Championship relays with you. As the eldest, what would you say your influence on Diamond has been? Are you competitive with each other as sisters in individual events?
Destinee: I think I push her to do better. I'm constantly getting on her if I see her slacking and being that I'm her sister I know what she's capable of doing. So, if I feel like she isn't doing what she can do, I tell her she needs to better. She's actually a complicated person to work with. lol && I wouldn't say we are competitive being that we don't run the same races.
OHRunners: Faith Washington was a part of your 2009 State record 4x400 team as a Freshman. She was also a member of your 4x400 winning team in 2010. What is your relationship with Faith? It must be very encouraging to know that she is back, as well as your sister?
Destinee: Faith. Thats my girl. Me and her have had our ups and downs, but I love her like a sister. We go almost everywhere together. On the track we are REALLY competitive with each other. I mean we don't try to be better than the other, but we push each other. For example, if she feels me coming up on her, she goes faster. Or, if she thinks I'm doing better than her, she tries harder and vise versa. What she doesn't know, I show her. What I don't know, she shows me. So, we're competitive, but in a team sorta of manner, ya know ?
OHRunners: Azia Walker was also a member of that 2009 4x4 record team and was the State 400m Champion with a time of 54.74. We didn't see her last year?
Destinee: Azia actually moved to california lol
OHRunners: The other underclassman on that 2009 4x4 team was Taneisha Cordell. I know that Taneisha moved and now attends school in New Albany. She was the State 800m champion in 2009. Are you still in contact with her, especially at meets?
Destinee: Oh yes. When you run on the Reynoldsburg track team you become a part of a big family ON & OFF the track. So just because she's at another school doesn't mean she isn't a part of the family. And, at meets, she'll come and sit and chill with our team for awhile and we do the same with her.
OHRunners: A couple, direct, straight to the point questions? What are your Goals this year? Repeat as one of the only 3 time D1 Girls 200m Champions? Repeat as a member of a 3 time D1 4x400m team? Repeat as member of back to back 4x100m D1 team? Help lead the Reynoldsburg girls to their 3rd Consecutive State D1 Team Championship?
Destinee: All the things you listed. I want ALL of those things to happen and if they don't happen, I just want to make sure my times or our times are better than they were last year. But, also adding to that list, I'm coming for that 100m state title this year also!
OHRunners: Thanks Destinee. I appreciate your time and your answers. With your talent and attitude, all of your goals are within reach. I wish you great success this year and look forward to watching you and your Reynoldsburg teammates run.