By CTS Coaches Jim Rutberg, with information from 10-time Western States Finisher and CTS Ultrarunning Coach Andy Jones-Wilkins Developing fitness is just one component of preparing athletes for the iconic Western States Endurance Run (WSER). Every ultramarathon has unique challenges, course features, weather concerns, and logistical complications. In addition to working with WSER Champions, …
To peak or not to peak? Is it more valuable for you to achieve your absolute peak fitness for about two weeks or to sustain a high level of fitness (e.g., 90% of absolute peak) for a longer portion of the season? I wrote previously about “How Long Can You Hold Peak Form?”, but …
Building upon the success CTS Athletes achieved in the 2024 Western States Endurance Run, including a podium sweep in the women’s race with Katie Schide, Fuzhao Xiang, and Eszter Csillag, CTS is once again heading to WSER to support nearly two dozen athletes in 2025. With fewer than two weeks to go before the …
Climbing through the Alps and Pyrenees with my Trek Factory Racing teammates during the 2014 Tour de France was one of the highlights of my professional cycling career, and one of the things I love most about cycling is that we can all visit and experience the sport’s most famous and storied climbs. And …
A lot of the ways athletes train have little to no basis in sports science. They are traditions rather than evidence-based practices. Most are harmless, like a 7-day training cycle or Sunday long runs, but there are a few run training traditions that you should do away with. I’ve been coaching trail and ultramarathon …
Technology continues to profoundly impact training methods across the spectrum of endurance sports. However, a stubbornly low-tech assessment of effort and exercise intensity stands the test of time. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is about as simple as it gets: “On a scale of X to Y, where X is as easy as possible …
One of the most common questions cyclists ask me is: What’s the shortest Zone 2 ride I can do and still see results? The answer depends on your fitness level, training history, and overall goals. Based on how I’ve worked with cyclists, from beginners to pros, over the past two decades, I’ll break down …
Trail running poles are increasingly popular in ultramarathon events. Once largely confined to European races, ultrarunning-specific trekking poles are common in nearly every mountainous ultra in the United States. Advancements in materials and construction have helped to make trail running poles lighter and easier to carry and stow. Used correctly, they can aid propulsion, …
Peak form is that magic stretch when an athlete’s body feels strong and their mind is sharp. Everything just clicks. You’re able to ride hard, recover fast, crush Strava segments, and win races or the local group ride. But just like a perfectly ripe piece of fruit, form takes time to grow and the …
Ultramarathons are challenging, unpredictable, and ultimately rewarding. That’s why we keep coming back for more! No matter how many ultras you’ve run, each race is a unique experience. Training obviously plays a role in ultramarathon success, but that’s just one part of the process. Logistical preparations, adequate fueling and hydration plans, and gear selection all …