Member Spotlight: Erick Ramos
Erick Ramos came to Trail Roots in May of 2019 with the goal of running a 50k. After spending 20 years in the United States Army, he learned grit, perseverance, and the value of hard work. When he completed his duty, he took that mindset into civilian life and set his sights on becoming an ultrarunner. Erick is one of our tribe leaders and always has the group laughing on runs. We wanted to ask him a little bit about his journey with Trail Roots. You can also catch him on the Run For Your Life podcast where he dives deeper into his experience with being shot while on base.
What inspired you to start running?
Truth be told, I was never interested in running until I joined the Army. Even though I was forced to run, I noticed I felt a sense of accomplishment after each run. It was something I had never felt before.
Why did you join Trail Roots and how did you get hooked?
I joined Trail Roots to improve my running. What better way to improve than by surrounding yourself with great people that have lots of experience and can help push you during runs. I was hooked once I saw those good qualities in the Trail Roots running community.
How has training with a group helped you? How did your running change after beginning to train with Trail Roots?
Aside from improving on my running, it has provided me with a network of people that have a wealth of knowledge. I’ve learned how to stay within the framework of my training, when and what things to eat during my long runs, and most importantly how to recover.
When you got "hooked" with Trail Roots, you said we had people with good qualities. What were those qualities and what or who was it that kept you showing up?
The mental resilience I see across the group is inspiring. Everyone has goals they want to accomplish. Within those goals there are times where training ebbs and flows. Things like injuries or not making a cut off time happen. I remember Amy was training for Orcas 50 and ended up not making the race cutoff. When she came back to Texas she decided to make her own 50 miler through Austin and completed it solo! That was badass. When things get hard, I noticed our runners don’t waiver, they go back to the drawing board and find ways to accomplish their goals.
Additionally, during Covid I ran a marathon on my own to push myself. I ran at Brushy Creek and ended up having some awesome people come out to support me like Josie, Amy, and Paul, who ran by my side. Coach Erik ran from his house with little Wyatt in the stroller to see me. People in the group genuinely care about each other, they take the time to listen, and are there for you in times when you really need them. That’s what got me hooked.
What’s your favorite post-run snack/meal?
Geeezzzz this is a tough question. I think most of the time it comes down to what I can get my hands on immediately after, but it’s usually a large Pepsi with ice and a juicy burger.
“Aside from improving on my running, it [Trail Roots] has provided me with a network of people that have a wealth of knowledge. I’ve learned how to stay within the framework of my training, when and what things to eat during my long runs, and most importantly how to recover.”
What’s your favorite trail with Trail Roots?
Even though I only ran it once, Lakeway is my favorite trail. I really enjoyed the day I went. I had great company and got to ring the bell for the first time. That was pretty cool. I also enjoy the views at the top of the hills.
What type of self-talk do you do to stay motivated?
Most of my self affirmations are internal. I think of all the things I’ve been through, good and bad, and that helps me to have gratitude in the present moment.
Erick is on the far bottom right.
Are there any similarities between trail running, Trail Roots, and what you learned in the military?
Two things come to mind; purpose driven people and people that are wiling to help you unconditionally.
We know you’ve had a goal of completing the 50k, but injuries and hardships keep popping up. Can you share a bit about what that journey has been like for you?
Well, it has been tough to say the least. When I first joined Trail Roots, I was dealing with back pain that was lingering from my Army days. One day it finally caught up with me and I had to get lower back surgery in October 2019. I took a few months off to recover and started to gradually run in January 2020. It started with walking, then walk/runs, and eventually I started to run. I finally committed to the Bandera 50k scheduled for January 2021. Training was going great with no issues, and then while bending over I somehow tweaked my back in early December 2020. I immediately started doing treatment, which consisted of spinal shots, physical therapy, and message therapy. I was determined to do the 50k, I didn’t care what it took, I was going to toe that start line and whatever happened out there, happened. After all that pain I found myself dealing with a dissimilar ultra race. On New Year’s Day 2021, I went on short run and I remember saying to myself “something is not right”. I felt weak, had no strength, no push, and felt truly sluggish. I had contracted the Coronavirus. For me, that became my first ultra. I used those long hours of training to help me stay in the best mindset I could be in during ten days of pain and no sleep. It was tough, that virus really depleted me in so many ways.
What things did you do specifically to get through Covid, mentally, spiritually, and physically? How did your military and running training help?
There’s a term I like to use during hard times, “War Game”. Basically, I dissect what I know of the situation I’m currently in and what I don’t know. I knew Covid came in waves of feeling sick, it dehydrates you, attacks the immune system, flares up any preexisting illness or injuries, and mades you feel weak. Knowing that, I took steps that I believed would help. Most importantly, I prayed. Not just for myself, but for anyone that was in the same or worse situation. Secondly, I drank lots of fluids like water and Pedialyte. I also started taking vitamins that would help my immune system. The hardest part was eating food, I was hurting in so many ways and found it hard to eat. But little by little, I got better and started to feel like my old self.
What’s next for you? What are your plans for making 2022 the year you complete your 50k!?
I’m back on the grind to toe the line at the Bandera 50k next year and plan to keep the same training plan. It consist of running and doing Crossfit to build strength. (SHOUTOUT to Coach Kindel over at Heros Crossfit gym). I will also be doing more PT recovery, something I didn’t do until I tweaked my back.