Sérgio Catarino: Trail Running Q&A
Tarkine athlete Sérgio Catarino is an ER nurse, father, and ultra runner from Portugal — someone who came to trail running not through natural talent, but through persistence. We asked him six questions about his journey, what drives him, and what the trails have taught him.
1. How did your journey into trail running begin?
My journey into running started very simply. As a kid, I was always one of the last to finish in any sport activity. I was never naturally talented or particularly competitive, but I always enjoyed moving and being outdoors.
At some point, I had to take a break while finishing my studies, as I couldn’t balance everything at the time. Later on, already working as an ER nurse in a very demanding and high-pressure environment, I started to really miss being in the mountains.
In 2014, I took part in my first trail running race, and from that moment on, I never stopped. I kept running more and more, longer distances, more hours, spending more time out there, and becoming happier through the process.
2. What draws you to trail running and being in nature?
It is the connection with nature and the sense of freedom. When you are out there, in the forest or in the mountains, everything becomes simpler, more real.
As the distances get longer, something deeper starts to happen. You begin to let go of everything — thoughts, pressure, expectations. What we are really looking for is that feeling of emptiness, that sense of void. And it is in that space that we start to understand what we truly have and what we are capable of.
There is a sense of fullness that comes from that emptiness. You are physically and mentally pushed, but at the same time completely present. It is a very pure state.
There is also a strong sense of community in trail running. People support each other, share experiences, and respect the journey.
Right now, what attracts me the most is the Backyard Ultra format. It is a very raw and honest way of pushing your limits, and for me, it is one of the closest ways to reach that state of connection with nature and with myself.
3. What has been your most memorable race or trail experience so far?
It’s difficult to choose just one, because there are three moments that truly shaped my journey.
The first was the Madeira Island Ultra Trail — my first race over 100 kilometres. Crossing the island from coast to coast, through mountains, forests, and ocean views, was not just a physical challenge. It was the first time I truly felt that I was capable of more than I had ever imagined.
The second was my first 100-mile race, the PT281 Ultramarathon. At that distance, you go far beyond running. Time loses meaning, the body breaks down, and what remains is something deeper. It was one of the most raw and magical experiences I’ve ever had in sport.
And finally, winning the Lisboa Backyard Ultra. Not just because of the result, but because of what it represents. It is considered one of the toughest Backyard Ultras in Portugal. That victory was the result of years of showing up, of not being the fastest, of learning how to stay when things get difficult. It was not a moment of strength — it was a moment of persistence.
What connects all three is not the distance or the result, but the transformation. Each one marked a moment where I realised that limits are not fixed — they move, and we move with them.
4. What challenges have you faced, and what have they taught you?
The greatest challenge has always been balance: managing personal life, being a present father to my sons, working as an ER nurse, and pursuing sport. It’s a constant juggling act. Over time, though, I learned to simplify.
The biggest lessons have been about patience and consistency. I realised balance isn’t perfection — it’s about aligning with what matters and letting go of the rest.
You don’t need to be exceptional to do something meaningful. You just need to keep showing up.
5. How do you approach training, mindset, and preparation?
My approach is simple. I focus on consistency and on enjoying the process.
I don’t follow a very rigid structure. I run regularly, I adapt my training to how I feel, and I try to listen to my body. Over time, I’ve learned that consistency matters more than intensity.
I have a simple mindset that guides me: everything is training. Every run, every race, every moment of fatigue — even life outside running becomes part of the process.
Mindset plays a huge role, especially in long-distance races. I try to stay calm, present, and focused on what I can control. In these kinds of efforts, things will always get difficult at some point, so preparation is not only physical — it’s about being ready to deal with discomfort.
In the end, my preparation is not about perfection. It’s about showing up, adapting, and being ready to continue when things get hard.
6. What does trail running mean to you?
Trail running, to me, is far more than competition. It’s the thread that connects who I am to who I strive to become. It’s where I meet nature and, at the same time, meet myself. It’s the trail where some of my closest friends were made, and it’s in the quiet of each step that I untangle life’s small worries.
More than keeping me active, it’s a mirror of my essence. By giving back to the community what trail running has given me — whether organising the Madeira Backyard Ultra or supporting events — I feel I’m contributing to something bigger than myself.
For me, it’s more than running. It’s learning how to live.
