By Mara Abbott, Olympian and CTS Contributing Editor When we cross a finish line or see a project to completion, our first reaction is generally to the outcome or the process. We might feel, joy, sadness, anger, or satisfaction initially – but as time goes on, what remains is often emptiness. After devoting yourself to …
The best cyclists in the world don’t always have the highest power outputs or VO2 max values. A big aerobic engine is a prerequisite for reaching the top level of competition, but champions perform beyond their test numbers because they are inspired by the belief their best performances are still ahead of them. No …
By Mara Abbott Olympian and CTS Contributing Editor I almost never got bodywork as a professional cyclist. Part of that decision was probably financial, but a part of it also came from a sense of pride that I didn’t need the help, that I could keep any impending physical ailments in check with my …
I get thank you notes from cyclists’ spouses and significant others. They typically containing some variation of, “Thank you for returning my husband/wife to me. The happy and vibrant person I fell in love with is back!” I have no doubt helping athletes train consistently, rediscover their fitness, and have fun on the bike …
By Mara Abbott, Olympian and CTS Contributing Editor I waited two years for an interval workout. To be fair, those years were full: retiring from one sport, attempting to start a new one, injuring myself, and most of all, working on the perennial challenge of developing a mindset in which it didn’t matter if I …
By Mara Abbott, Olympian and CTS Contributing Editor Of course it would happen at bedtime. My contacts out, PJs already on, I found myself urgently drawn to the computer. I needed, immediately, right then, to research ways to strengthen my bones. I don’t recommend this nocturnal hobby – after all, it was deep into …
By Mara Abbott Olympian and CTS Contributing Editor As many of readers here know, as soon as you get a coach you have an ever-present voice eager to explain training principles and the physiological changes you will experience if you follow the plan. I have been a coached athlete for most of my life – …
By Mara Abbott, Olympian and CTS Contributing Editor Two weeks ago my farmers market co-worker, Max, made a terrible mistake. He made some off-hand comment about not eating breakfast. Max works in the fields on the farm all day, yet somehow, “I am not really hungry for lunch, either.” I noted, in no uncertain terms, …
By Chris Carmichael CEO/Head Coach of CTS Increasing your activity level and weekly training hours leads to a lot of positive changes in your fitness and health, but many athletes notice some effects that are not as pleasant. When you exercise more, you need to consume enough energy to support your workouts and activities of …
By Syd Schulz CTS Athlete and MTB Pro I’ve learned a lot about being an athlete through meditation. Or rather, I’ve learned a lot about being an athlete through the process of failing and succeeding and failing and succeeding to cultivate a daily meditation practice over the past two years. I’ve learned to let go …