She started her international career as a cross country runner: she ran as a junior at the 1998 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, made her senior debut at the European Cross Country Championships in 2001, and ran in the short race at the 2003 World Cross Championships. She began competing for the Italian Army team in 2004 and this coincided with her first national title, becoming champion over 10,000 metres. She recorded a half marathon best of 1:13:42 hours at the Napoli Half Marathon and represented Italy in that event at the 2004 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, coming 34th. She was 45th at the European Cross Country Championships that December.