She initially started her career on the track, becoming the World Youth Champion in the 10,000 m and running at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics at the age of sixteen. She won a junior silver medal at the 2000 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and made her Olympic track debut the following year. She continued to mix track and cross country, making her second Olympic appearance at the 2004 Athens Games and securing a senior silver at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.