I didn’t know what to expect as this is my first time working with a professional personal coach. Sarah’s experience and adventuress attitude has been so helpful while I have been preparing for my first 100 miles distance while running a 24 hour race. I have 6 weeks to go and she has me training long and hard, while listening to me and checking my stats to make sure I don’t push to hard, get burnt-out (as I have before self coaching) or get injured before my big challenge. I am so glad I made the decision to use CTS and work with Sarah.

I picked up running a bit late in life at the age of 39. I began running 100 milers a few years later with mixed results. I eventually realized that I had no idea what I was doing. My training for that distance was random guesswork and my motivation was waning.

Searching for answers, I took an interest in Jason Koop’s podcasts/book/coaching. I decided to contact CTS, and found Stephanie. She’s been a breath of fresh air for me and my motivation. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge of training, nutrition, racing, mindset and balance. She’s obviously an elite athlete, but that wasn’t of particular importance to me. From my perspective, we’ve worked together to develop training plans both long-term and short-term that push me hard enough to improve my fitness and ability to meet my goals, but not so much that I’m either injured or burned-out. She listens and gives me the feedback that I often need to hear whether positive or negative. There’s a sense of accountability that I wouldn’t have on my own. So, yeah, she’s pretty great.

I just finished the 120 miles of TransRockies in Colorado. My coach Sarah Scozzaro has been wonderful in my preparation for the 6 day event. I went into TRR feeling confident and completed the miles without any issues. She is always helpful and encouraging! Thank you so much Coach Scozzaro!

Working with Coach Shute has helped me better understand the full realm of what it means to live an active/athletic life.

I came into the CTS program as a beginning marathon/ultra marathon runner. I am somewhat of a mid-pack runner and have really looked at taking that next step in my training to progress in the sport and stay healthy during the process. Coach has helped me embrace all parts of the training process including hydration, fueling, recovery, and amazing training plans. We have really started working to cross functionalize in cycling as well as adding varied gym and cardio work. I feel like I’ve progressed significantly over the last 6 months under his guidance completing both a PR 100k in 11.5 hours along with a PR Half marathon in 1:34:XX.

Along with the cardio and strength training that comes with our coach/athlete relationship, I’ve learned that calmness of mind and balance of spirit are essential to adapting to the training stimuli. I know I’ll never be the FASTEST guy at the local 5k, half marathon, or Ultramarathons, but I’ve learned that being the best version of myself for those around me is all we can really search for in this life. Amazing life lessons that I’ve picked up through my time with Coach Shute.

Clayton has been an excellent coach! He reaches out frequently and is an excellent communicator and a supportive coach for the hard workouts. He responds to texts and emails promptly and frequently offers encouraging words.

Working with Matthew has been great. He is accessible and responsive. He challenges me and is still very understanding that “life happens”. I’m very happy that I’m working with Matthew and look forward to the future training, goals, and events with his help.

She has been pushing me – just the right amount. Is conscious of my weakness(es). She gives thoughtful feedback and makes me feel like she is genuinely interested in my training.

We started working 9mths ago with Sarah and she is my first coach. I was looking for three things from my couch:
-I wanted to include weighs and speedwork in training and increase mileage to get ready for my first 100 miler
-I wanted to have a coach who would be actively involved on my training, giving feedback, answering questions and act as bounceboard for my plans (racegear, nutrition, raceplan) and give second opinion on my decisions (should I rest as my legs are sore or push on)
-Understand that I am full time officeworker with family on my 40’s so there are limiting factors.

From the start she has been delivering on all of these. Sarah is a fantastic coach, she knows technical aspects of conditioning but her greatest skill is the ability to build a connection. I feel that I have a friend, someone who is there for me whenever I need.

I am in best shape of my life and managed to finish my 1st 100 miler in tough conditions.

I think the best way to describe my feeling of this coaching relationship is that I would recommend Sarah and CTS for my friends.

He has been very good about giving me detailed information on what to do and what to expect, and we have had some very good improvements over the years. Also he has a very good understanding about all aspects of training which helps greatly, highly recommend him!

Jason has been with me through my whole training cycle this year. By now I would have been injured at least 2 times, but at 7 months in, I have yet to have an injury and I feel that I am in the best shape of my career in running. The focused weekly plans have been steady, progressive, and thoughtful. Jason’s insights in the field of ultrarunning have enabled me to get much more out of each week than I typically had been able to get with even higher volume. I enthusiastically recommend him to anyone interested in improving their performance in ultrarunning.

Stephanie provides a detailed and adaptable, non generic training plan to help me work towards a 300 self sustained km challenge early 2022. Her advice and feedback is precise, and got me away from the mindset that “more is better”, and more in tune with how I feel when I am training. Weekly training goals are clearly set, and are achievable. I also love to be coached by a woman, as she understands the challenges of motherhood and the impact juggling work/ family/ running can have on your performance some days.

I wasn’t sure about how a coach would help me at first. I’m not an elite runner and I don’t train full-time. However, I do enjoy running/racing and while my training had some structure, I guessed it could be better. Hiring Sarah took things to a much better place. Taking out the randomness of my running program and having a professional coach listen to my goals and then tailor a training plan to not only suit those goals, but also work with my specific capabilities has been remarkable. Sarah’s positive attitude, attention to detail, thorough commentary to all my questions, inquisitive and thoughtful questions of me, and just her constant support of my goals has been remarkable. She is easy to talk to, quick to respond, usually has an idea or two in her pocket, but is also willing to research the answer if oddball questions come up. The quality of my training has improved dramatically and having Sarah on my team has already proven race beneficial as well.

Stephanie has been very helpful:

– Emphasizing the importance of leg treatment, specifically stretching and massage. I had a knee issue for months, and after some ideas and encouragement from her, my knee is as healthy as it’s been in awhile.
– She keeps me accountable – without a coach, I wouldn’t be getting out the door day-in, day-out. That’s been one of the primary reasons for my improvement.
– I was winging it with training plans previously – the plan she’s developed for me is more focused on data-driven results.

Two areas where I’d like to continue improving:
– Understanding the “why” and the science behind the training plan. We’ve talked about doing a phone call as she designs 2-3 weeks of a training plan so I can understand why she prescribes what distances and at what intensity. I haven’t had a chance to advocate more for this. I’d like to learn more.
– I want to take advantage of the nutrition consultation that is part of the level of coaching I signed up for.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed working with Coach Stephanie immensely!

I have nothing but positive things to say about coaching with Andy. From January to May my training with my previous coach had been flat. Too much volume, no intensity. Fitness CTL was stalled. Since the switch to CTS and training with Andy my CTL fitness has greatly increased. The big surprise is that we were able to get these gains despite a major knee injury. Andy has been diligent in working around my busy work/family life as well as my injuries. I was super nervous going into Bigfoot 200 but as it turns out I need to trust more in my training. Given the injuries, my goal was to finish and not make things worse. Not only did I do that, I think I may be more fit than I was going into the race. This week will tell, but I am fully trusting my training at this point.

I have been working with Allen since 2019. He really improved my power output and endurance during 2019, and then helped me continue to stay in shape and remain motivated all through the crappy lockdown months and through a couple of injuries that I sustained during that time. Now, he is ramping me back up again and I am feeling much more confident in my riding. He is super understanding and patient too. And, he has also helped me with getting over my fear of mountain biking, a sport which I now love doing.

I talked to Koop for prob less than 30 min in May. Then same in June.
Little if any commentary on my work outs via TP
I was hurt and instead of running I did have to walk some 2 and 3 hr work outs. It was not noticed at all when it was updated in TP. ie I knew it was not being tracked nor watched.
I paid for ultimate coaching and unfortunately feel like I got little to nothing over 3 months.
I am 7-8 weeks out from a 125k ultra. Feel this put me back and now I am changing coaches in hopes of doing my ultra.
I appreciate the coach was out on PCT but he and/or CTS should have addresses this

Duncan is very much in tune with my and my training circumstances, I am working through some injuries, Duncan considers the big picture and makes necessary adjustments, looking forward to getting this LT100 done!!

I don’t think there is a coach that could be working better with me, with my challenges.

I give him a 5 star rating…

John has tailored a workout plan that covered a blood clot in my leg and me getting covid. John gave me good advice for buying wheels, shoes and a new Modone. He is easy to talk with. We discuss a wide range of cycling topics. I would be happy to recommend John.

Clayton is the best coach I have worked with – not that the others were bad, but I find he motivates and communicates very well. I never feel like I’m overwhelmed or too pushed – although I do get a decent workout! He adapts my training to my goals and abilities. I’m not training for the Olympic Games- I’m just a guy trying to maintain a reasonable level of fitness at 50 whilst juggling family life, work, etc. and doing the odd mountain bike race. I feel like Clayton really gets that. I really enjoy working with him. I wish him and Caroline well with the imminent arrival of their second child.

The accountability has really helped, in addition to his wealth of knowledge. He’s very motivating and super helpful when we need to adapt.