When did you start running and when was it you realised you had a real passion for the sport?
I began to run when I started studying at college, we only trained on Saturdays a few years later when I turned 15 years old. Thank you to Coach Carlos Rogrigez, for the giving me the chance to run on an athletics track where they told me I was not going to be a good runner and there began my passion for athletics and training.
What were some of your earliest running successes?
The first two years were the most difficult but I managed to be selected for the province and go to the national championships. My first official race was very hard because I competed at altitude in the city of Quito. During the race I felt like dying and I didn’t get a good result but it encouraged me to challenge myself further. My goal for two years later in 2013 was to become national champion in the 800 meters race and represent my country later in a South American Championship and win some medals at distances of 800, 1500 and 4×400 relays nationwide.
When did you decide to enter your first marathon and which one? What was your overall experience of the race?
I was very inexperienced in track competitions at the time of my first marathon and since I competed once a year I signed up for the 2009 marathon in my city for just running because I thought I could reach the finish line with the preparation of my training 800 meters, my first marathon finished in 3:17. That was not bad and I got the 9th position in the general but it was a very hard race for me and the last two kilometers I suffered many cramps making the remains distance a slow and painful experience, however I was happy with the result
Tell us about some of the other marathons you’ve gone to compete in around the world and what have been some of the highlights?
The following year I prepared again for my 800 meters track races, but unfortunately a ruptured my femoral bicep which left me unable to compete. I had a long rehabilitation of several months and when I started training again I did walking on the same track as I started.
I returned stronger and with much desire to return to compete but it happened again and I went on to strain a muscle two days before the under 23 national championship, it was a sad moment and I ended up laying on the track crying. When I returned to running several months later I ran again and trained for distances of 5, 10. Thanks to an Alexa marathoner who was training to run a marathon in the United States and called me to train together on weekends. That was more than 26km and I decided to compete in the first international marathon in Lima which I went many times and already in my second marathon I ran in 2:59 . It was there I started my passion for running marathons, I ran the marathon of Lima four times, Miami marathon twice and they were my favorites.
A well-known marathon runner from my country (Franklin Tenorio) invited me to train with him because he saw potential in me and convinced me to aim for the bigger goal of an Olympiad. I started my training with him and in two months I lowered my time and won the Disney Marathon in 2014 whichwas one of the most exciting competitions of my life. I enjoyed the race from start to finish and after the first half of the marathon I saw myself running through each of the parks with people supporting me and the Disney characters in every kilometer I ran in 2:47
After that race I achieved a podium position in the Mazathlan marathon where I was competing with four
Kenyan runners. The public thought I was mexican and the support and scenery of the race was really nice. The Berlin Marathon in 2014 was the opportunity to improve my brand and go in search of my place for the Olympics of Rio 2016 where I achieved a time of 2:43:17. After running I got lost in the city and after I found a fellow Ecuadorian, a Venezuelan and a Colombian who were also lost and we got together to find the hotel that was a mile from the finish line and ended up in another hotel with the same name many kilometers away but we could find it with help from people who were Colombian and lived in Berlin. It was funny we arrived at the hotel at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and the coach selection was at the door waiting for us to arrive. I was still covered with plastic bags that were given in the race to avoid cold!
The Marathon of Houston was another event where I took part in 2015 and I improved my time but I retired after 30 km because of pain that I felt. The doctor helped me to recover in two weeks and a little later in April I was asked to run the Rotterdam Marathon because I was a substitute for the Olympic team. The new coach of the national team selected me, but it was very hard to adapt to the plan of the team. On the day of the race I felt that I could not run after 32km but I tried to recover the pace because I could achieve the desired time but I gave up in the 35th kilometer. I wanted to give up but I could not and told myself to finish this race even if I was walking. That’s how I ended up walking with tears in my eyes my, Olympic dream for Rio 2016 was over!
I was so upset that I no longer wanted to run any marathon. I cried all day until I talked to that person whom I love very much and they encouraged me to continue and reminded me I was the girl who did not give up and who should try again. I had plenty of time before the 2020 Olympiad. I told the national coach (who was my coach at the time) to look for the brand to go to the World Cup and so I did although he did not want to train me. I followed my preparation applying my knowledge and with the help of my friend, coach Jorge Peru, managed to make a perfect training plan for me. We chose the Hamburg marathon.
To find the goal, it was another great experience I arrived almost right at the starting line very little heat, I felt a lot of nerves but was determined to give my best even though I felt fear. The race started and the rain started to fall accompanied by hail, it was a cold race. I did not want to run in the cold but I was motivated by the Brandl family who were with me throughout the race along with my family and friends who supported me from afar and this helped me not to think about the cold and run with heart. I achieved my goal to run a 2:42:17 and set the time for the 2016 London World Cup.
The London Marathon was my first competing with the best in the world and although I prepared well technical and hydration failures by the Ecuadorian support team meant I suffered cramps. However, I kept going and finished such an important event even though I could not improve my time. I always say every marathon is an experience and a place to meet during the 42,195 meters.
What do you see as your biggest success in running to date?
Improving my time in the Hamburg marathon was one of my greatest achievements because I did it even though I had many things against me.
When did you become a coach and personal trainer and what message do you try to instil those who you work with?
I started to train children when I was 19 years old, it was a great experience because I was already a coach of children with disabilities and of the minor national team of my province and as a personal trainer. I only started working a few years ago when I quit my job with children (it was a hard decision not to work with them anymore) but everyone taught them not to give up and that maybe at the beginning it is hard but it is up to each individual to achieve the desired objective that I only contributed a part to help them and that perseverance and dedication is what will make the difference to achieve what what we want.
How much are you currently running yourself and what events do you have lined up for the year ahead?
I have started my preparation to run one or two marathons this year and hopefully improve my time. Maybe I will compete in Berlin again or the Guayaquil marathon which I also ran in 2015, achieving first place.
