first ultramarathon

How to Step Up from Marathon to Your First Ultramarathon

Many marathon runners are making the leap to ultramarathon distances. If you are considering your first 50k, 50-miler, 100k, or even 100-mile ultramarathon, you’re not alone. The most important thing to understand is that an ultramarathon is not simply a longer marathon. As distance and duration increase, the challenges and demands shift so significantly that …

concurrent strength and endurance training

Should Cyclists Ride and Lift Weights on the Same Day?

Practical Guidelines for Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training for Cyclists By Jim Rutberg, Coach and co-author of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist” Reviewed by Coach Adam Pulford NSCA-CSCS, Host of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast” Amateurs, Masters, and Time-Crunched Cyclists benefit from both strength training and endurance training, but struggle to fit both into limited available time. The …

adapt to training

How Quickly Do Athletes Adapt to Training?

    By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “Ride Inside“, “The Time-Crunched Cyclist”, and “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” When it comes to training, time can be your nemesis or your greatest ally. Goal-oriented people want to see results quickly and they spend billions of dollars on supplements and get-fit-quick or lose-weight-quick schemes. But meaningful …

thanksgiving exercise

Thanksgiving Challenge and Training Tips for Cyclists

  By Chris Carmichael CTS Founder and Chief Endurance Officer Depending on your work and family schedule, you might have a few days off during Thanksgiving Week, or you might be fortunate enough to take the whole week off. Maybe you’ll be one of the millions braving the airports and highways, or perhaps the party …

jason siegle challenge

Shifting Goals: How This Coach Reinvigorated His Training

  By Jason Siegle, CTS Senior Coach Cycling can be a lifelong sport because an athlete’s goals and level of participation can change over time. I spent years dedicated to high-level racing, but my passion for competition has waned in recent seasons. At the end of August, I was in a weird place with my …

getting started strength training

Getting Started Strength Training Workout for Cyclists

  By Chris Carmichael, CTS Founder and Chief Endurance Officer Special thanks to CTS Coach Sarah Scozzaro for her assistance with exercises and demo videos.   In the past I’ve talked about why cyclists – especially aging cyclists – need to incorporate strength training, and discussed some of the principles endurance athletes should keep in …

critical thinking

Don’t Get Fooled: Critical Thinking Skills for Athletes 

  By Cliff Pittman, CTS Ultrarunning Senior Coach, CTS Coaching Development Director In a recent column for Trailrunner Magazine, I delved deep into the risks that pseudoscience creates for athletes and coaches. Among the takeaways from that column was the idea that we all benefit from improving our critical thinking skills. The world today is …

bike fit

Fixing Bike Fit Issues for Cyclists Over 50

  by Renee Eastman MS, CSCS, USAC Level 1, Retul Fit Level 1, CTS Premier Coach Bike fit issues affecting aging athletes are largely related to unrealistic expectations. For some, that manifests as a desire for a certain aesthetic, like the high saddle and low handlebar look they see from pros and limber amateurs just …

choose a power meter

How to Choose the Right Cycling Power Meter for You

  By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “Ride Inside“, “The Time-Crunched Cyclist”, and “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” A cycling power meter is one of the best training tools a cyclist can invest in. A power meter offers a way to directly measure the work a cyclist is performing in real time. It is hard …