By Chris Carmichael CEO/Head Coach of CTS I got a call from an athlete this week, as he was walking from one meeting to the next, exclaiming with glee that he had 90 whole minutes to work out that afternoon! That might be a normal Tuesday for you, but we’ve been shoehorning 45-minute training sessions …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS If I were to summarize recent articles, conversations, and podcasts that have caught my attention it would be to say, “Keep it simple, stupid.” I think there is a natural draw to make things more complicated or to place greater value on products or methods …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS I started noticing it about halfway down the Col de la Madeleine. In the group I was with, riders started shaking out their hands on the straightaways between switchbacks. Even with disk brakes, the effort of gripping the bars and using the brakes for such a …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS Not one of the athletes I coach works a standard 5-day-a-week, 9-5 job. I’m not sure how many people do anymore, and by the time all three of my children have careers I’m nearly certain no one will. With so much variation in people’s professional …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS If there was ever an actual secret to turning highly-talented athletes into champions it is simply this: Toughen them up. Whether you’re trying to win the Paris-Roubaix, get through a 200-mile gravel race, or hang with the fast group ride, it’s going to take more than …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS The difference between fueling performance with carbohydrate and consuming too much added sugar is one of the more confusing aspects of nutrition for athletes. Too much added sugar in your diet can be harmful to your health, but consuming carbohydrate – including simple sugar – can …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS In April it will be 20 years since I founded CTS with a few friends, and it’s amazing to look back over a journey of two decades and see how CTS – and the entire endurance coaching industry – has grown. I’m proud of what the …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS For athletes seeking weight loss, the basic formula is pretty straightforward: reduce caloric intake, but not so much that you compromise training performance or recovery. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. After 30 years of looking at how athletes eat, I’m willing to bet your overall …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS Most people who read my blog posts are year-round athletes, meaning the New Year probably is less of a cold start and more of a recommitment to training after a few months of intermittent exercise, indulgent eating, and a bit too much wine (or whiskey). To …
By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS In my view, reflecting on the accomplishments and challenges of the previous 12 months is one of the best things you can do as the year draws to a close. It’s not just a matter of scrolling through your own personal highlight reel; it is …