Recent News about Serena Burla

Faster than a Cheetah

by Serena Burla August 21, 2012

During my month-long stay in Colorado, I ran on many rolling, scenic trails, took ice baths in beautiful, glistening rivers, ran across many interesting mountain animals, and challenged my lungs to breathe in the fresh, thin air they weren’t accustomed to (some days my sports bra felt too tight as my lungs tried to get some extra air).  Although my time in colorful Colorado went by faster than I had hoped, it left me with an undying inspiration to allow myself the opportunity to train hard and achieve big goals.  One Monday night before I headed to bed early, I left a note t...

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Good Times In the Ice Bath

by Serena Burla June 20, 2012

Today I filled Boyd’s little kiddie pool up for him to “swim” in and I couldn’t help but have flash backs to the previous kiddie pool filling two weeks ago.  It was my teammate Amanda's last day down in D.C., and also the day of a seriously gut-checking track workout.  If she had stuck to her original plan of leaving the previous Sunday, I would have begged to have her company for at least a few more days.  However, upon hearing of the workout's intensity, she decided to stay, citing that there is "strength in numbers"- my thoughts ex...

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Running Buddies take on the Hill

by Serena Burla May 31, 2012

As I cooled down on Friday, worn ragged by our hill workout at Great Falls National park, I couldn’t help but smile as I glanced at our running crew.  All soaked with sweat, smelly, hair disheveled, legscovered in dirt; Jacqui Wentz, Yihunlish Bekele Delelecha, Amanda Marino and I were a beautifulpost workout crew.  We each wore a slightly different look of joy and exhaustion.   We chatted nonstop about topics I can’t remember, quite contrary to the amount that was spoken during the workout, when each one of us were almost silent except for the occasional kee...

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Post Marathon Adventures

by Serena Burla April 24, 2012

A post marathon recovery break from running is always a good idea for the mind, body, and soul.  And by break I mean not a step of running or any other kind of exercise for at least a week. It is a bit out of the runner’s nature to do this, but as I have grown as a runner, I have learned that recovery is as or even more important than the hard days.  Days off post marathon do not equal weakness, and there is not a hole at the bottom of your foot draining all your fitness from your body during this time.  Rather, your body needs this time to heal and repair the muscles.&...

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Marathon Peace In Seoul

by Serena Burla March 29, 2012

Looking back, it seems fitting that an old Chumbawumba’s song “I Get Knocked Down but I Get Up Again” played just prior to the Seoul International Marathon last Sunday, even if it was just for that one line of lyrics. Following my disappointing DNF at the trials, my coach, Isaya Okwiya, and I decided to use my level of fitness to lace up again and give the marathon another go.  You just never know what life has in store for you. There was a sense of peace surrounding the whole experience. I was greeted in Seoul at the airport by one of the marathon’s...

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Personal Stats

Birthdate: September 27, 1982
Birthplace: Falls Church, VA
Personal best:

Marathon: 2:28.27

Half Marathon: 1:10.08

10K: 32:47

Besides being a world-class runner, Serena Burla is a wife, mother, and cancer survivor. With strong performances at major events like the 2008-2010 USA Half Marathon Championships and the ING New York City Marathon, Burla continues to raise her standing amongst the running elite.

Career Highlights

2012 3rd Place Seoul International Marathon
2011 2nd Place USATF National Half Marathon Championships
2010 2nd Place USATF National Half Marathon Championships
2009 17th Place World Half Marathon Championships