Normally I reserve this column for some sort of training topic devoted to making readers more prepared for their ultramarathon goals. However, there are times when I feel I should use this platform for a bigger purpose, like now. We need more women in ultrarunning, period. The current gender inequality in the sport is bad …
Some parts of the country are blanketed in snow and the thermometer hasn’t ventured above freezing in more than a week. For some of you, there will be snow on all the trails until April! Yet, snow and cold don’t have to hinder your training. Here are some winter running tips to help you thrive …
December is Feats of Strength Month at CTS! Each December, my coaches, employees, and I have a friendly competition around a particular strength training exercise. This year we’re having a plank contest, and we want you to participate as well! The rules are simple: accumulate as much time in the plank position as you …
By David Henry, CTS Ultrarunning Coach I ran the 2017 Quad Dipsea ultramarathon and it provided the perfect illustration for some simple lessons in race pacing. The Quad is a “fun” ultra spin on the traditional Dipsea Trail that runs the route from Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, CA to Stinson Beach and …
The five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can result in a significant setback for your fitness, but with a little focus and determination you can avoid these four Holiday Season mistakes. TOO MUCH ALCOHOL Alcohol plays a role in a lot of holiday get-togethers, and even if you don’t drink much during …
With Thanksgiving a few days away and ushering in the Holiday Season, Chef Jeff Mahin is back with an easy-to-make version of classic buttermilk biscuits. Forget about those biscuits that come out of a tube or from a box of mix. Instead, make these biscuits from scratch and have the peace of mind of …
Last weekend was the first CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo, and like any endeavor that takes you outside your comfort zone, I learned a lot about being an event promoter. The feedback I’ve received about the event has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am immeasurably proud of my coaches and staff, especially Event Director …
By Adam St. Pierre CTS Running Coach and Biomechanist There are many factors involved in running biomechanics, including body weight, limb length, muscle strength, joint range of motion… and everybody is different in these respects. That’s why there is no singular ideal that defines perfect body mechanics. Rather, each individual must find their own ideal …
By Corrine Malcolm, CTS Ultrarunning Coach As an endurance athlete it’s likely that you’ve had blood work done sometime in the past. Terms like “CBC” (complete blood count), serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit might ring a bell. If you are a female athlete you are likely all too familiar with iron deficiency (ID), or anemia. …
Darkness is coming! Saturday night we turn the clocks back an hour, gain an hour of sleep, and lose an hour of sunlight at the end of each day. For early-morning exercisers, the return to standard time is a welcome change. For those who rely on afternoon or after-work for training, earlier sunsets make …