Get to Know Coach Manu Vilaseca
- Peak Run Performance
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
“Building a Strong Body and Mind to Endure Long Distances”
Coach Manu Vilaseca has a long history in sport and shares a diverse array of skillsets. She has been a top ultrarunner, racing and competing at a high level since 2011. She started training seriously, finding success and gaining valuable experience, which led into her becoming a running coach in 2018 and she has been a coach with Peak Run Performance from the beginning. She enjoys sharing what she has learned through her own running journey and finds immense value in sharing her training philosophies, multi-sport approach and means of maintaining a positive mindset with her athletes.
Throughout her journey as an athlete and as a coach she achieved several certifications, which further diversifies her training approaches:
Certified Ultrarunning Coach through the United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA)
Personal Trainer via Escuela de Formación Abierta al Deporte (EFAD)
Certified Yoga Teacher through Escola de Yoga Svadhyaya
Coach Manu has significant experience running professionally and has many successes throughout her running career:
2nd at Bigfoot 200 (Triple Crown of 200’s, 2025)
3rd at Tahoe 200 (Triple Crown of 200’s, 2025)
2nd at Cocodona 250 (2024)
10th and 8th at Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB, 2015 and 2013)
5th at TDS (2019)
5th at Marathon Des Sables 250k (2022)
Manu’s coaching philosophy is that there isn't a single formula for everyone, even when working toward the same goal, as each person is different and impacted by workouts uniquely. She highlights how critical it is for her to get to know her athletes, as the better she knows them the more she can truly tailor the training to them to help them reach their goals. Finally, Manu notes that open and thorough communication with her athletes allows her to do her best as a coach.
She believes a good coach-athlete relationship evolves into friendship, as the psychological aspect of the sport is a huge factor. Athletes need a trustworthy person who listens and can adjust workouts to their personal needs. Coach Manu approaches tailoring training plans by understanding her athletes' lives. She prefers to meet with them through video calls before starting, asking not only specific training questions but also about what they enjoy, their weaknesses, and their strengths. This allows her to take a truly holistic approach to training, covering all aspects that are integral to performance.
Coach Manu's favorite type of athlete to coach is one that enjoys cross-training or taking a multisport approach to training. Manu truly believes that having this diverse approach to training contributes to longevity in the sport, as well as promotes making gains.
Coach Manu has learned to be resilient as an athlete by never giving up through the many lows that she has experienced. She believes giving up is the easy option that instantly stops suffering, and that in life people often give up too easily, which can lead to missed opportunities. She has learned that every storm comes to an end and calm will follow, both in sports and in life. This has allowed her to dream big and keep chasing goals year after year, despite any setbacks she encounters.
Running has changed and shaped Manu’s life by becoming her lifestyle and even her job. She truly loves how running brings her connection - to others, to nature and to herself. Even if she stops competing, running will always be a part of her life because it simply makes her happy.
Want to be a part of Coach Manu’s team?
Check out our website at https://www.peakrunperformance.com/ , read more about Coach Manu at https://www.peakrunperformance.com/coach-manu or email us at info@peakrunperformance.com for more information or how to get started!
Q&A with Coach Manu
What is a myth about run training that you wish more people understood?
“More isn't necessarily better. Sometimes your improvement will come from a rest day. Under-fueling can have significant repercussions and negative consequences on someone’s training and abilities.”
What is your number one piece of advice to new runners?
“Don't rush things. Enjoy the process and be patient.”
What is a common mistake runners often make and how can they fix it?
“Skipping their rest days or training too hard on their active recovery days. I think everyone has been through that. I always suggest that for their active recovery days, they train without their GPS so that they can go easy or simply by feel.”
What is a proud coaching moment for you?
“It's difficult to mention only one because I have so many. But a special one was when an athlete/friend I coach was able to achieve his PR at a marathon (2:57) when he turned 49. I was injured at that time and couldn't run, so he made me feel really happy and proud.”
What is the biggest lesson running has taught you, that you share with your athletes?
“Stay present and enjoy now. Don't let your thoughts take you to the future, because this future is an illusion; it doesn't exist. The only thing that is real is what you're doing now. When you're racing, stay in the present and enjoy it. You'll miss it once it's over.”
How do you help athletes stay motivated during a tough training block?
“Sometimes it's just a matter of perspective. Seeing how many people in the world would love to be able to do what the athlete is currently doing. This is a privilege for very few.”
What is a favorite go-to workout you assign (or train with yourself)?
“Hills, for sure. They make you very strong and agile.”
What is your most proud running moment or accomplishment?
“TDS 2019.” [Manu is too humble to say that in 2019 she was 5th female, 40th overall at TDS.]
What inspires you during tough runs or races?
“This will never repeat itself and once it's all over, I'm sure I´ll miss it. I always remind myself of how fortunate I am.”
What other training means to you utilize (i.e. cross training, strength, etc.)?
“Cycling (both mountain biking and road biking - Road is a bit more "serious business", and mountain biking is FUN, ludic), Hiking (treadmill and mountains), Yoga (I LOVE YOGA - Teaching and being a student), Strength (I learned to enjoy it a lot, both in classes and doing it myself), Elliptical (it's "similar to running", but no impact) and swimming (very little swimming, but I do it sometimes. I don't enjoy it, but I like the benefits of it).”
Where is your favorite place to run?
“The Mountains. In Catalonia my favorite place is La Vall de Núria.”
All Surfaces. All Distances. All Abilities.