About - Born on the Trail

Born on the Trail aims to be the companion of every trail and ultra runner looking to improve their training and performance. I try to achieve this by exploring the science behind the human body and translating research into practical training insights and tools to help you take the next step in your journey. My goal is to offer resources that deepen understanding, refine approach and elevate performance.

The name Born on the Trail represents the inspiration behind this blog. During long runs, my friends and I would often debate which training approaches work best, why endurance athletes tend to peak later in life, and what mental techniques can improve race-day performance. We didn’t always have the answers, so I decided to do the research and share what I found, not just with my running buddies, but with the wider trail community. I hope each piece I release provides thought-provoking content you’ll want to share and discuss on your next run.

As someone who’s been part of this community for many years, I also feel an obligation to reflect on the trail running community and the evolving landscape of the sport. While this isn’t the heart of the blog, I believe these topics are important for maintaining a healthy community and sustaining our time in the sport.

Finally, I want to offer a small introduction about the person behind this publication.

This is me, Niki, at the Ohrid Ultra Trail race which I ran in 2024! My face might not show it, but it was a very fun race 😁

Hi, I’m Niki - originally from Malta 🇲🇹 and now based in Salzburg, Austria 🇦🇹. By profession, I’m a software engineer, but my real passion is sports, especially those that combine adventure, movement, and physical exertion.

Running has given me so much: the chance to visit new places, push my limits, and even the motivation to move countries. I want Born on the Trail to be the place where I share what I’ve learned from my time in the sport - honestly, accessibly, and with the hope of helping others grow.

I’m not sure exactly where this journey will lead, but I hope my words inform and contribute positively to a community that means so much to me.

If you’d like to join me, you can subscribe to my work as a free or paid supporter and connect with me on social media (Instagram, Strava, Facebook).

I’m excited to share this space with you and hope you find real value in the content I publish.

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Born on the Trail dives into the science of ultra trail running, turning research into practical training guidance for runners looking to elevate their performance and understanding of the sport.

People

Niki Micallef

@nikiruns

Long distance trail runner. Through Born on the Trail, I translate the science of trail and ultra running into clear, practical training guidance to help you take the next step in your running journey.