By Chris Carmichael and Jim Rutberg (updated March 2024) Reviewed by Stephanie Howe, PhD (March 2024) Myths abound in all areas of training and nutrition. There are many misconceptions about the role of protein in recovery, the amount of protein endurance athletes need, and when to use specific recovery drinks. Here are a …
By Adam Ferdinandson, CTS Expert Coach Reviewed by Stephanie Howe, PhD “But how do you get enough protein?” This is something all plant-based folks have heard from coworkers, relatives, and others who feel the need to add their two-cents about dietary choices. As annoying as it may seem, the concern is valid. Consuming adequate protein …
Topics Covered In This Episode: What you need to know about protein How much protein athletes need daily Why ultradistance athletes should ingest protein DURING runs and races Purposes and recommendations for post-workout protein intake Importance of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) for endurance athletes Food sources of leucine HOST Corrine Malcolm has been a …
By Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning For what seems like an eternity now, we’ve been warned about the potential for age to detrimentally affect muscle mass retention. Recommendations aimed at older athletes have become so ubiquitous you could go across any of the major endurance media outlets, from Runner’s World to Ultrarunning Magazine …
By Chris Carmichael, inspired by Renee Eastman This blog post was entirely inspired by CTS Coach Renee Eastman, who recently completed her National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Coach certification. In social media posts and a series of emails, Renee reminded me of one of the biggest challenges we see athletes face when it comes …
by Chris Carmichael CEO/Head Coach of CTS Initially, this article was going to be about all the reasons endurance athletes don’t need protein shakes, but that wouldn’t really be fair or accurate. There are some very good reasons for cyclists, runners, and triathletes to consume protein shakes, but they are also often overused, used for …
In recent weeks I’ve heard variations on the questions: “How do I get faster on the bike?” or “Why am I not getting faster at cycling?” When the question comes from more experienced athletes, it’s sometimes: “Why am I not getting faster anymore?” As the spring heats up, events ramp up, and you pile on …
Running an ultramarathon is a huge accomplishment, but most athletes feel sore and exhausted the day after a 50k, 50-mile, or 100-mile trail race. How long does it take to recover after an ultramarathon? What should you do to recover more quickly after a running race? When can you expect to return to normal training, …
Part 4 of Leveraging Blood Lactate Response in Training: Using Blood Lactate Response to Guide Training Progression There are many ways to structure training throughout a season to achieve similar outcomes in terms of fitness and performance. The brilliance of human physiology is that applying stress to any point along the spectrum from easy …
By Renee Eastman, CTS Premier Coach & Performance Lab Director Blood lactate plays a key role in exercise and fitness, offering valuable insights into how our bodies produce energy, build endurance, and perform. Often misunderstood as just a waste product, blood lactate is actually a powerful fuel source and an important messenger within …