Michelino Sunseri
TRACER Coach Profile
Michelino Sunseri | High-Performance Mountain & Ultra Coach
I coach competitive trail, mountain, and ultra-distance runners to master high-altitude, technical terrain. My methodology combines rigorous exercise science with elite, real-world mountain mastery—perfect for self-motivated athletes targeting tough mountain races, VKs, or FKTs.
🏔️ Athletic & Mountain Highlights
I coach the exact limits that I test. My athletic foundation is built on winning at the highest level of mountain and ultra-running in North America:
The “Mountain Triple” Champion: One of only two men in history to win all three of North America’s premier, highly technical 50K mountain races:
Run the Rut 50K: 3x Champion & Course Record Holder (4:59:32).
Speedgoat 50K: Champion (2019).
Broken Arrow Skyrace 46K: Champion (2023).
Grand Teton FKT (Fastest Known Time) | 2024: Shattered the iconic Grand Teton FKT, climbing and descending over 7,000 vertical feet of high-consequence terrain in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 50 seconds.
Teton Crest Trail FKT: Established elite, self-supported mountain speed across the entire rugged Teton range.
🔬 My Coaching Philosophy: “Science + Summit”
Competitive athletes don’t need generic plans; they need precision. Our work together focuses on three key pillars:
Engine and Torque Development: Building a massive VO2 max and the localized muscular force needed to power-hike 20%+ grades.
Eccentric Durability: Training the musculoskeletal system to handle the brutal, joint-pounding impact of high-speed technical descents.
Intelligent Rehabilitation: Utilizing precise, non-impact cross-training (such as high-torque cycling protocols) to maintain elite fitness, plasma volume, and lactate clearance during injury phases.
🌲 From Tahoe Trails to collegiate Running
Growing up in Kings Beach, California, I spent my childhood running around the rugged Tahoe Basin. I went on to run collegiately at Malone University, where I studied Exercise Science with an emphasis on Physical Therapy, solidifying my scientific foundation in physiology and biomechanics.
After college, I re-ignited my passion for high-altitude mountain running, balancing rigorous training blocks with nights spent sleeping at trailheads and working late-night bartending shifts to keep the dream alive. Those years gave me a real-world understanding of the dedication, grit, and recovery strategies required to execute at the highest level. I currently train and coach from my homebase in Salt Lake City, Utah.
🐾 Meet the Co-Pilots: Dash & Thor
My two huskies, Dash and Thor, are my constant companions on the trails.
Joy Indicators: They remind me to find joy in every single run, no matter the weather or how brutal the terrain.
Pace Setters: They are exceptional training partners, always pushing the pace and eager for the next climb.
Summit Leaders: You’ll almost always find them leading the way to the peak, tails wagging with pure mountain dog enthusiasm.