Alana Sicoli: From the World Majors to the Ironman Challenge
The creator of Eu Escolhi Correr reflects on her marathon journey, behind-the-scenes with Nelson Evêncio, and her transition to triathlon.
In an open conversation, Alana Sicoli shares her road running journey from postpartum recovery to conquering the Six World Marathon Majors. The amateur athlete and pain specialist discusses training, resilience, and her plans to make her full Ironman debut.
Alana Sicoli's relationship with sports began in childhood, encouraged by an active family routine where physical activity was practically a household rule. However, running took on a truly transformative role in her adult life. Following the birth of her daughter, Sofia, Alana faced severe postpartum depression and anorexia. The turning point came when her twin sister, Paula, completed her first marathon and encouraged Alana to lace up her running shoes for a 10K race.
From that first step, running became the primary anchor for rebuilding her routine, sleep patterns, and nutrition. Her fitness improved rapidly, but without shortcuts: shortly after debuting in the 10K, she tackled the São Paulo International Half Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:34. The experience highlighted the grueling nature of long-distance running and sparked an appetite to go further, marking the start of a new personal and athletic chapter.
The Birth of Eu Escolhi Correr and the Start of the Majors
When she moved to New York to study traditional Chinese medicine, Alana decided to challenge herself at the Chicago Marathon. Around the same time, encouraged by friends, she created the social media profile Eu Escolhi Correr to document her training, her routine as a nursing mother, and the behind-the-scenes reality of the process. Founded a decade ago, the project grew into a highly engaged community empowering female runners.
Her Chicago debut was completed in 4:30, delivering key lessons on managing expectations and training methodically. Soon after came Berlin, run through extreme pain due to a broken toe sustained right before traveling—an ordeal that nearly made her give up on marathons altogether. The goal of completing the Six Majors circuit seemed out of reach until an invitation to run the 2019 Boston Marathon put everything to the test.
The Comeback and Chasing the Boston Qualifier
To prepare for Boston, Alana sought out veteran coach Nelson Evêncio. Before taking her on, Nelson set a demanding trial: run a sub-two-hour half marathon in Central Park at 28°F (-2°C), without pausing her watch. She met the challenge, cementing their coaching partnership.
Her Boston debut, however, proved turbulent. Having entered via an invitational bib without a qualifying time, Alana faced criticism and scrutiny on social media. That pressure became the fuel for a promise: to return to Boston with an official qualifying standard earned on the course. She achieved that goal at the 2023 Valencia Marathon, clocking a time of 3:26 to qualify for Boston on merit and complete an emblematic journey of resilience.
Acupressure for Pain Relief and the Two Oceans Experience
In addition to being a marathoner, Alana is a pharmaceutical biochemist, holds a master's degree in acupuncture specialized in sports injuries, and is a doctoral candidate in chronic pain. In her clinical practice and during her own races, she frequently uses acupressure techniques to modulate prolonged muscular discomfort. One of her primary strategies involves stimulating the LI4 (Large Intestine 4) point, located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger, often pressed to alleviate spikes in fatigue and pain.
This physical and mental endurance was put to the test at South Africa's iconic Two Oceans ultramarathon, a 56 km race known for its demanding elevation profile. The event carried special personal significance: her father, a former swimmer and triathlete, rode alongside her on a bicycle throughout the entire course, providing informal support and ensuring a memorable finish to the journey.
A New Horizon in Ironman and Future Projects
After completing the Six Majors, Alana has set her sights on the full Ironman distance. The commitment stems from a personal pledge and a meaningful cause: supporting a close friend who beat breast cancer, turning her months of race preparation into an awareness campaign for early detection.
With a background across all three disciplines—open-water swimming, road cycling, and marathon running—the focus is now on balancing training volume and logistical demands. Alongside her athletic goals and clinical work, Alana is also developing Kona, her own brand tailored to the endurance sports ecosystem, bringing together more than a decade of expertise dedicated to endurance athletics.