Ayana's early career was marked by determination. "When I started racing there was a girl at my school who always finished number one. I was afraid of that girl, but somebody told me that I have to beat her. I listened to that person, beat that girl, and later joined a training group in my local area," she said.

Coaching and Personal Life

Her husband, Soresa Fida, is also her coach. Fida has competed in athletics at an international level, including the world relay championships in 2014 and the African Games in 2011. The couple has one son, Surafel, born in 2020.

Injuries and Recovery

Ayana's career has not been without challenges. In 2019, while recovering from double knee surgery the previous year, she injured herself again during training. This injury prevented her from competing at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

In July 2018, she underwent surgery on both knees after months of pain. Renowned knee specialist Dr. Roland Biedert performed the operation in Bern, Switzerland. "The doctor did not give a recovery percentage but he said you will come back," Ayana recalled.

She spent two months recuperating in Switzerland and began running again in late 2018. However, she described her fitness level as only 30% by mid-2019 and missed the world championships that year after injuring herself again.

Awards and Honours

Despite these setbacks, Ayana has received several accolades throughout her career. In 2016, she won the IAAF Female Athlete of the Year award. She was also a finalist for the same award in 2017 but did not win.

In 2015, she received the Golden Shoe from the IAAF for her performance at the World Championships in Beijing, China.

Focus on Discipline

Ayana shifted her focus to the 5000m and 10,000m events around 2011 on the advice of her husband and coach. She left the Defence Force Club in Addis Ababa in 2011 and began training full-time with Fida in 2012.

"I always wanted to be a 5000m athlete. I previously did just what the coach told me but now [under Fida's guidance] I have a lot more input into training and I really listen to my body," she said.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Ayana plans to continue building her fitness and aims for future competitions. Her journey is a testament to resilience and dedication in athletics.

Idol and Inspiration

Ayana looks up to Ethiopian distance runner Tirunesh Dibaba as her idol. Dibaba's achievements have inspired many athletes worldwide.

Almaz Ayana's story is one of perseverance and passion for athletics. Despite injuries and setbacks, she continues to strive for excellence under the guidance of her husband and coach.