Michael Quesnell

Michael’s specialties:

-Athletes seeking to maximize their performance in trail/ultra events

-Young athletes looking to take the next steps in the sport

-Runners aiming to be well-rounded in their endurance endeavors

Currently accepting new athletes!

Michael’s running journey began when he raced in a local road 10k at the age of ten. It was that singular experience that had him hooked for the rest of his life. It proved a perfect outlet for his competitive nature and desire to test his limits. 

Since that time, Michael (AKA “Que”) has run competitively in distances from 800m to 100 miles, including victories at the Ice Age Trail 50 mile and the Voyageur 50 mile in Duluth. His personal bests include 52:27 (10 mile) 2:28 (marathon), and 12:50 (100 mile), as well as Fastest Known Times (FKT’s) for the Bearskin Trail (32 miles at 6:20 pace) and the Military Ridge Trail (40 miles at 6:04 pace.)

In addition to his ultra and trail expertise, Michael has been coaching athletes ranging in age from teens to masters since 2014. He has experience leading community track and field programs, as well as coaching cross country and track at the high school level. His coaching philosophy centers on relationship building, long-term aerobic development, and encouraging athletes to rely on both physical and mental feedback to fine tune their training. 

Michael takes a process-oriented approach to training. He believes that “while few things compare to the thrill of a hard-earned PR - it’s the path there that provides meaning and value. The joy is nearly always in the journey, and running is no exception. By listening to our bodies and responding to both physical and mental queues, we can find fulfillment in the process and achieve our goals.”

Michael lives and trains in Madison, WI, where he is always seeking hilly terrain to prepare for trail ultras out west. While nothing beats a good Lake Monona loop, he also enjoys running segments of the Ice Age Trail.