At the University of St. Thomas, junior biology major Alejandra Ramon has developed a steady, intentional approach to cross country. This is shaped by years of learning how to balance her academics, training demands, and her own expectations. She carries a calm, thoughtful presence within the program, grounded in a clear understanding of what motivates her and how she responds to the challenges of the sport.
When asked what allows her to push through the toughest stretches of training and competition, Ramon speaks with a kind of direct honesty that comes from really taking time to reflect on who she is. She doesn't try to frame her mental strength in abstract terms; instead, she credits a personality trait she has learned to channel in productive ways.
"I'll admit it, I'm very stubborn, very hard-headed. So if I put my mind to it or if I want to accomplish this goal, I will do it. So personally, I think that that has really helped me in cross country. Yes, it hurts. Yes, it's hard, but I want to reach this goal. Therefore, I'll do whatever I can, do whatever I need to do to reach that goal," Ramón said.
Her connection to running began long before she had a concept of collegiate athletics. As a fourth grader waking up early to join a small school running club, she discovered a simplicity in the sport that resonated with her. Those early mornings didn't feel like training, they were simply something she looked forward to.
"In fourth grade, I joined my school's running club and we would just meet every Friday morning, an hour before school started, we would run laps around the track. I found out that hey I kind of like this and just took off from there," she said.
What started as a childhood interest eventually grew into an environment that taught her far more than she could've imagined as a young athlete in elementary school. Ramon realized that running demanded accountability and consistency. These lessons shaped how she approaches academics and relationships, reinforcing the idea that being part of a team means being present for others as much as for herself.
"For me, being an athlete, it's made me realize how important it is to be hardworking, accountable, and be a good teammate. In school especially, it's not always individual work. You have to work with others and cross country has really helped me be a good teammate," Ramón said.
Her view of success reflects that same thoughtful maturity. She defines it not through outcomes handed to her, but through the goals she sets, the standards she works toward, and the balance she maintains between academics and athletics.
"For me, success is just reaching whatever goal or whatever I want to accomplish in life. Cross-country means a lot to me, but I do have a life outside of cross-country and running. Very big in academics. So I set very high standards for myself and for me success would be reaching those standards and just fulfilling all the goals that I set for myself," she said.
Regardless of her strong foundation, cross country challenges her in ways few other activities can. The mental side of the sport has become something she respects, acknowledging that every race is demanding. Her ability to lean into that challenge has shaped her into a stronger, more composed athlete over the years.
"Probably just like staying in it. Cross country, in my opinion, is probably like the hardest sport mentally. Like you're going to be hurting, but you just have to keep on going. Pain will go away. Keep fighting, keep pushing, and you'll get the results that you want," she said.
For younger athletes who see collegiate running as a possibility, Ramon offers guidance rooted not in clichés but in practical wisdom. She knows from experience that the desire to improve quickly can do more harm than good, and that progress in distance running is built patiently, layer by layer.
"I'd say start slow, gradually build. You don't want to shoot off, run so many miles. You're just going to injure yourself. So it's a very slow progression, but stay consistent with it, and you'll get to where you need to be," she says.
Ramon's story is really about showing up for what matters to her and staying steady through every part of it. She has learned how to balance school, training, and her own expectations with a calm confidence that people around her can feel. With such a young team this year, she has become a reliable presence who helps keep everyone grounded. As the season continues, she is focused on staying consistent, trusting her progress, and growing alongside the teammates she cares about.
"Stay consistent. Consistency in running is key. There's going to be days that you feel great, days that you feel terrible, but you just got to keep on going. Once you start, it gets a lot easier, so just keep pushing and stay consistent," Ramón said.
This season, Ramon is part of a UST team filled with new faces, many of them freshmen. Instead of seeing that as a challenge, she describes a team environment defined by energy, effort, and genuine connection. The group may be young, but the foundation they're building together gives her confidence in where they're headed.
"We have a lot of freshmen, not a lot of upperclassmen. So there is a little bit more joy. We are young, so we're still trying to build some foundations. But it's gotten really good. I love these girls. We're all hard workers. We all put in the work and it makes it easy showing up every day," she says.
Ramon's story is really about showing up for what matters to her and staying steady through every part of it. She has learned how to balance school, training, and her own expectations with a calm confidence that people around her can feel. With such a young team this year, she has become a reliable presence who helps keep everyone grounded. As the season continues, she is focused on staying consistent, trusting her progress, and growing alongside the teammates she cares about.
