Sometimes it takes an outsider to recognize the talents of a person. A coach can provide the direction and the training plans, but it will take the athlete themselves to execute the plans. It takes years to see the full results, and you can expect there will be setbacks. Gabriela Trana is an international athlete who was born in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Growing up, she never dreamed she would be a flag bearer for the Costa Rican team during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Trana, however, is a two-time Olympian.

She’s a three-time finisher of the Army Ten-Miler (2009- 3rd 59:08, 2010 – 4th 58:31, and 2012 – 10th 58:25), and she’s chosen to share her running philosophy with you. 

When did you realize you had a talent for running?

I started running in school. I did a Cooper Test, and my physical education teacher invited me to be part of the Gregorio José Ramírez school athletics team and later for National Games representing the city of Alajuela, Costa Rica.

(Designed by Kenneth H. Cooper in 1968 for U.S. military use, the point of the test is to measure how far a person can run in 12 minutes. Pacing is important).

Did you have any running role models while growing up?

I think I’ve always admired the people who, regardless of the circumstances of life, enjoy the road, the people who love what they do, the people who work honestly and who always have something good to say. As I grew up, I learned a lot from my parents, from my coach, and from Costa Rican athletes, like Zoila Rosa Stewart (400m Olympic athlete) and Jose Luis Molina (marathon Olympic athlete). 

Did you have coach or are you self- taught?

I have had the same coach since high school (1993). 

How do you balance your life with training and racing?

I try to combine my activities every day. Putting the things that are important according to objectives and my focus. I always try to take advantage of the opportunities which are presented.

What have you given up to run?

I feel I have received more from the sport than given. Maybe sometimes I have given more time, energy, and money, but I always received back happiness, opportunities, and friends.

What challenges you have faced in your career?

In my career I have some injuries, little economic resources, little competitions of level, and few sport installations of quality. I have had a lack of an education system compared to the level of many trained athletes.

How do deal with results falling short of your expectations?

I train like the sport is my priority, but in the day-to-day, I am conscious that the sport is my complement. It is my little piece of happiness. And the result is only part of it. I heard that the contrary of success is not failure; the contrary of success is to stop, when you don’t do anything. So, success is a road of small failures.

Have you had injuries which kept you from running?

Yes, I had pubalgia (groin injury), other times I had muscle tears, bursitis in my knee, sacroiliac, hips, and arm. The injuries were not prolonged.

What changes have you seen the sport since you started?

Now there is more support for women. We are more empowered. The technology applies to the sport, too, and has grown in all aspects: nutrition, clothes, shoes, watches, sensors, glucose, and temperature, and people in general know that elite athletes exist. That people not only run for weight loss.

What would you like to see change in running?

I have seen that not all sports have the same opportunities. I would like to see women and men enjoy the same opportunities of sponsors, scholarships, and recognition in all sports.

What performance stands out most to you?

My major performances: Winner of the 2007 Disney Marathon, winner and record-holder for the Edinburgh half marathon 2012, winner and record-holder for the Central American games San José Marathon 2013 (2:54:59), and silver medalist in both Central America (1st 10,000 meters 37:31.17) and Caribbean Games Mayaguéz 2010 (2nd 2:46:22).

How did you feel attending the 2008 Olympic Games?

During the competition, I remembered the words of family, friends, and training mates, about their support, respect, and admiration. I really enjoyed every moment and the 2008 Olympics (Marathon 2:53:45) gave me the motivation to qualify for the Games in 2012 in London (Marathon 2:43:17).

What would you say to young girls who are thinking about entering the sport?

I would tell the girls to enjoy every moment of the process. Learn, try hard and give your best, meet new people, and visit new places. Take the energy of every place you go and give some to others that will help the world to be better. Life is a balance.

You compete in a variety of distances. Which is your best?

My best performance has been in the marathon.

What is it that makes Gaby an outstanding athlete?

My discipline, consistence, determination, focus, personality, and respect for others. I always try to enjoy all that I do. I work to be a good athlete, but more to be a good person. One person that goes the “extra mile.”

Was there a time when you wanted to quit running?

Maybe when I was starting out. In the first year, I did not understand the philosophy of the sport in my life. I needed more experience to learn that the sport is more than winning.

When you compete what is more important: the time or the effort?

 Of course, the effort. “Our reward is in effort, not achievement. Total effort is a complete victory.” — Mahatma Gandhi.

How was your training affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

During COVID-19 I started well. I changed training zones and enjoyed new places, but after some months, I started feeling sad and discouraged. There were no competitions or objectives, and it was hard to get up to train. However, with my team, we did virtual competitions after training long distances and on Sundays we share breakfast. So, keeping with family and friends was important to feel good and positive.

What strategy do you use when racing?

I try to run according to my strategy, but every race is different, so I apply my experience depending on the circumstances. My philosophy is always do my race, run strong according to my abilities, be brave, and give my best.

What do you want the reader to know about Gaby?

I want the reader to know that I am a person that enjoys running, good food, and smiling for a nice anecdote. I love to compete, but never fight, love positive people that have dreams, and work every day.