Melissa Gunner

I am a lifelong runner who suffered overuse injuries during high school and college, which ultimately led me to my career as a physical therapist. I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy at Duke in 2017 and I now reside in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have been dealing with my own slew of injuries over the past two years, and have been recovering from hip surgery since August of 2021. I am part of the shoe testing team at Ultrarunning Magazine and enjoy educating patients about footwear selection. I am not currently running much, but hoping to get back to it very soon! I enjoy skiing, hiking, and group fitness classes.

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What sports do you do? Do you have any accomplishments?

Trail running - 50 miler in under 10 hoursRoad running - several Boston qualifying times, ran Boston in 2014Skiing - no accomplishments, very much a beginner here :)Hiking, yoga, swimming, cycling - recreationally

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Share 3 fun facts about you! :)

1. My husband and I are raising 6 backyard chickens!

2. I am absolutely terrified of mountain lions, even though I have never encountered one in the many hours of hiking and trail running I have done. I never run or hike without my dog or another person because of this.

3. I am a HUGE morning person - I often wake up before 6am even on the weekends (and really struggle to stay awake past 10pm).

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What inspires you?

I am constantly inspired by nature, and I am especially motivated by the promise of a good view.

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What's your physical therapy philosophy?

Help people to move better so they can continue to do what they want to do for a long time.

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What motivates you to do what you do at Netic?

I have always loved running and interacting with runners. As someone who has been sidelined from the sport for nearly two years, it is really motivating to me to help someone get back to running because I know how big of a role it plays in their lives, and what a hole it leaves when you aren't able to do it.

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What was your best or hardest race?

My best AND hardest race was The North Face 50 miler in the Marin Headlands just north of San Francisco. The distance was hard, but there was also about 10k feet of vertical climbing throughout the race. Miles 35-42 were definitely the hardest, and I am in crying and swearing to the aid station at 42 (which I thought was going to be at 39 and had spent 3 miles cursing and crying leading up to it). I picked up my wonderful husband to pace me the last 8 miles to the finish - which was just across the Golden Gate Bridge! It was a really horrifically difficult race, but my body cooperated well and I came in just under 10 hours - much quicker than I thought I would.

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