lose weight

When is the Best Time for Ultramarathon Runners to Lose Weight?

  By Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning Many runners would like to lose a few pounds. Whether they need to, would benefit from, or should lose weight is another question. Generally, I prefer to focus on fitness and adequate nutritional support for training and let body weight adapt naturally. However, some athletes still …

ultrarunning long-range plan

3 Steps for Creating Your Ultrarunning Long-Range Plan

  By Jason Koop, CTS Head Ultrarunning Coach I am going to take you through how I plan out a season for athletes using a format that I refer to as the Long-Range Plan (LRP). Below you’ll also find a link to a free ultrarunning long-range plan template you can use to create your own. …

11 Keys to Success at Western States Endurance Run

  By Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning, Author of “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” The Western States Endurance Run is one of the most prestigious ultramarathons on the calendar, and entries are so coveted it can take years to earn a place on the start line. As a result, runners who get into the race …

best coaches advice

Best Advice: 9 Running Coaches Give Their Best Tips

  By Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning Author, “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Some of the most rewarding parts of my role as Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning are training and mentoring new ultramarathon coaches when they join the team. One of the exercises I use is called “THE ONE” and the premise is …

missed workout

What Runners Should Do If You Missed Training

    By Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning, author of “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Athletes miss training sometimes. They get sick, something comes up at work, there’s a family emergency, or any of life’s innumerable curveball. Reducing the number of training session you miss goes a long way toward reaching new heights in …

tapering for ultrarunning

Tapering for Ultrarunning: How to Prevent Taper Tantrums

  By Jason Koop, CTS Head Ultrarunning Coach, Author of “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” For many athletes, tapering for ultrarunning can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand runners are happy about the reduced training load. On the other, they are sometimes anxious or distressed by the reduction in training volume. Athletes have two …

heat acclimation cheat sheet

Ultrarunners’ Heat Acclimation Cheat Sheet

  By Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning With what looks to be a very hot edition of the Western States race coming up in just a few weeks, this is a good opportunity to review heat acclimation protocols. It is a little bit late in the game to start the “Repeated Exposure” protocol …

heat acclimation

Heat Acclimation: When To Start and How Long It Takes

  By Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning Author “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Western States, Wasatch, and Badwater runners – and any other athlete training for a hot weather race – listen up. Start thinking about your heat training protocols now. Don’t wait for the last four weeks of training. Don’t meticulously plan out …