This Track Club Gave Miriam Ramos The Confidence To Go Her Own Speed

It’s easy to associate Austin-area run clubs with the charismatic leaders that provide inspiration from the front.

But often, run clubs are the sum of their parts.

Without the many thousands of people who occupy these clubs on the daily, the running boom wouldn’t be what it is today, with commercial brands racing to attract the attentions of a fast-growing sector.

At the center of his bubbling industry are people like Miriam Ramos.

The 42-year-old from New Jersey has been running for the past 15 years, but she’s not in it for the medals—in fact, she’s only run one marathon and doesn’t have plans for another anytime soon.

When she moved to Austin in 2022, what she wanted most was an environment she could connect with.

People with similar interests. Training that felt appropriate. A place that felt safe.

She also didn’t mind getting fast, either. “I needed some kind of structure and some kind of discipline,” she said.

Ramos did the rounds and checked out several clubs.

But the one that stuck was Sunrise Track Club, a group that started in earnest in 2021 on the Austin High School track. Ramos stuck like glue and has been one of the group’s core members over the past four years, even becoming a co-leader when its founder, Becca Wells, had to take leave due to pregnancy.

That moment may have forced Ramos a little outside of her comfort zone. But the net result was positive: It taught her that she’s more than capable, and that her voice matters.

We caught up with Ramos after a recent workout to learn more about her experience.

Were you looking for a couple run clubs, or were you trying to find your group?

When I ran in Jersey, I would just run by myself. I had maybe one run group I was a part of. It wasn’t really a thing out there. So, when I came here, I wanted to be consistent and meet people. I came out here, looked online, and I found a bunch of run groups and then I started coming here. That’s how I made friends.

Miriam Ramos, 42, is a photo retouch manager from New Jersey. She’s been running for 15 years. Photo Credit: Submitted

When it came to run clubs, was there a sort of identity or feeling you were trying to find here?

Not necessarily. I was fine being a solo runner. I’m very self-motivated. I don’t need a race. I’m very routine. But I wanted something to continue that structure, but then also meet people at the same time, since I was new to the area. I figured that would be a good way to meet people.

What’s the best part about being here at this group?  

When I first joined, it was July 2022. At first, I was really intimidated because I heard the words, “track club,” and I said to myself that I wasn’t even that fast. I didn’t even know what meters were on the track. I didn’t know what a “400” was. Becks would say, “400 is one time around, and 800 is two times around.” I was busy trying to take notes and trying to realize what that meant.

After a while, though, I just started feeling more confident and feeling more my speed. Nobody was judging me, even though I felt slow. Everybody was just cheering you on. Eventually, I became faster and faster, and then the meters just started making sense and I became a better runner.

When Becca (Wells) was pregnant and she needed some help, you obviously became a bigger part of this group.

I mean, she gave me prior notice—like a really long-time notice. In my head I was like, ‘I don’t know if I should do this. I’m really nervous. I don’t want to do it.’ But I did want to do it because I love Sunrise and it helped me, so I figured it was an opportunity to move past my fear of public speaking and to do it in a healthy way.

It wasn’t that I felt forced into it; it honestly was because I loved running. And I loved Sunrise Track Club. The more I did it, the better I got. But I remember the first time I was leading, I got here at like 5:35 and had my phone’s light on and I was trying to find the mile markers. I was so nervous.

Thanks so much for your time. Do you want to mention anything else?

Becca: Miriam’s been super helpful, that’s what I want to add. We would not have had Sunrise be able to continue without her help.

Miriam: I like the whole group photo thing, too.

Becca: She’s the group photo person. I’m always like, ‘Whatever, we’re good,’ but I love that she takes a photo because we can see how it’s grown over time.

Miriam: Yes, it has. And it’s been really nice. When I used to run by myself in New Jersey, I would always take a selfie afterwards, and then I’d have like friends join in. Eventually, I brought that here. Now we have a whole group behind me, which is nice.

Miriam Ramos, center, waits for the next rep to be run at a recent Sunrise Track Club workout. Photo Credit: Cory Mull/Austin Fit Magazine