CTS High-Performance Program for Elite Ultrarunners
A comprehensive training program that integrates coach-led training, nutrition, mental skills, strength conditioning, physical therapy, physiological testing, and professional event support, all under the direction of renowned High-Performance Program Director Jason Koop.
High-Performance Management Model
The High-Performance Management Model is the gold standard for elite athletic training, preparation and performance.
This management model is employed by elite-level Olympic and Professional Teams, University Sport, and the highest-performing athletes across the globe. CTS is now bringing this benchmark practice to ultrarunning.
The 6 Key Pillars
The CTS High-Performance Management Model focuses on 6 key pillars to deliver an exceptional experience in one comprehensive package for the modern high potential, high-performing athlete.
Those pillars are:
- Coach / Training Program Design
- Nutrition
- Mental Skills / Sports Psychology
- Strength and Conditioning
- Physical Therapy
- Physiological Testing
Surround Yourself With Top Tier Professionals Tailored To Your Needs
The CTS High-Performance Program connects you with a team of top professionals, ensuring you have the best support possible.
You'll be paired with an experienced CTS Coach who will provide personalized coaching tailored to your unique needs. Alongside your coach, you'll have access to a comprehensive team of service providers covering nutrition, sports psychology, strength, and physical therapy.
Jason Koop, as the High-Performance Program Director, will oversee the coordination and communication within your team, ensuring every aspect of your needs is met.
Our unique and customized approach gives you an edge over your competition. Your team is carefully curated based on your needs, ensuring that your team is unique to you. This individuality and exclusivity provide you with a distinct advantage, as you receive specialized attention and support dedicated to optimizing your performance.
Gone are the days of a single coach attempting to have the breadth of knowledge, experience, and tools required to support an athlete at the very top of the game. Our program leverages the collective knowledge and experience of a diverse team, offering you a comprehensive support system to reach the top of your game.
The High-Performance Team
The composition of your High-Performance Team will be unique to you, based on your needs.
Jason Koop
CTS Head Ultrarunning Coach and High-Performance Management Director
Jason Koop is the CTS Head Ultrarunning Coach, CTS High-Performance Management Director, and the esteemed author of 'Training Essentials for Ultrarunning,' a seminal book on ultramarathon training. Koop is a coach to many of today’s top ultramarathon athletes and is himself an accomplished ultrarunner with notable finishes in the world's most challenging races, including the Badwater 135 and Hardrock 100.
CTS Coach
Coach / Training Program Design
You'll be matched with an experienced CTS Ultrarunning Coach who will develop your personalized training program and interface with Jason Koop to ensure the recommendations from your High-Performance Team integrate seamlessly into your training plan.
Stephanie Howe
Nutrition
Stephanie Howe is a CTS Pro Coach, professional ultrarunner, and Ph.D. in Nutrition & Exercise Science. She also holds an International Olympic Committee Sports Nutrition Diploma and has performed at the highest level of ultrarunning having won races like the Western States 100.
Meredith Terranova
Nutrition
Meredith Terranova is a performance nutritionist to many of today’s top ultrarunners. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Consumer Science from the University of Houston in 1997 and has been helping her clients reach their nutritional goals since 2004. In 2020, she earned her Master’s in Advanced Nutrition and Human Performance, writing her thesis on Gut Microbiome and Endurance Athletes. Through Meredith’s guidance, athletes have addressed goals ranging from losing weight, wellness nutrition, race nutrition, training and recovery nutrition, and others using a real-world nutrition approach. A trusted resource for CTS Coaches and their athletes, Meredith was a columnist for Ultra Running Magazine and has appeared as a guest on Jason Koop’s “KoopCast” podcast.
Renee McGregor
Nutrition
Renee McGregor is a Registered Dietitian and ultrarunner specializing in eating disorders, REDs, The Female Athlete, athlete health and performance. She is on the REDS advisory board for BASES (The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science) and sits on the International Task Force for Orthorexia. She's worked with athletes across the globe including supporting Olympic (London, 2012), Paralympic (Rio, 2016) and Commonwealth (Queensland, 2018) teams. Renee is the founder of the “EN:SPIRE Clinic”, a center specializing in supporting individuals and athletes of all levels and ages, as well as coaches and sports science teams, to provide nutritional strategies to enhance sports performance and manage eating disorders. She is also the best-selling author of More Fuel You, Training Food, Fast Fuel, and Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Goes Bad.
Justin Ross
Mental Skills / Sports Psychology
Dr. Justin Ross holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a PsyD from the University of Denver. He is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in athlete mental health and performance, particularly helping endurance athletes develop high-performance sport psychology skills. He has been a longstanding resource for CTS Coaches, is a presenter and advisor for the United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA), works with athletes of all ages and abilities, and is vetted as a psychologist for the NBA and NFL players associations. Dr. Ross is an 11-time marathoner, a 6-time Boston Marathon qualifier, and Leadville 100 MTB finisher.
Neal Palles
Mental Skills / Sports Psychology
Neal Palles is an endurance athlete and licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years of experience. Holding a master’s degree in Applied Sport Psychology, he specializes in helping athletes achieve peak performance. Neal is also a CTS Expert Ultrarunning Coach and has coached athletes for races like the Leadville 100, Run Rabbit Run 100, and many others.
Scott Frey
Mental Skills / Sports Psychology
Dr. Scott H. Frey is an internationally renowned cognitive neuroscientist, accomplished endurance athlete, author, and mental performance coach. For the past 30 years, Scott has led a successful research program focused on using the latest technologies to understand the brain mechanisms of human performance. These experiences convinced him that neuroscience holds untapped potential to revolutionize performance “from the neck up.” His approach is rooted in the brain and psychological sciences, and informed by his practical experience as a lifelong competitive athlete and mentor.
Sarah Scozzaro
Strength and Conditioning
CTS Pro Coach Sarah Scozzaro brings a wealth of knowledge and experience holding an M.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention, alongside certifications in personal training and Restorative Exercise. Her extensive experience includes not only competing in prestigious ultramarathons like the Leadville 100 and Western States but also coaching athletes for major events such as the UTMB and Boston Marathon, underlining her expertise in both personal achievement and athlete development.
Nicole Rasmussen
Strength and Conditioning
Nicole Rasmussen is an experienced ultrarunning coach with a solid foundation in strength training, holding a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and an ACE Personal Trainer Certification. With a focus on integrating strength routines to enhance endurance performance, Nicole leverages her extensive knowledge to help athletes achieve peak physical condition having helped athletes prepare for notable events like UTMB, Badwater 135, Wasatch 100, and more.
Jessica Lehman
Physical Therapy
Physical therapist, Jessica Cozine-Lehman, earned her undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ and her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Regis University in Denver, CO in 2004. She is an owner of Great Moves Physical Therapy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 2001, and currently serves on the Colorado APTA Board. Her areas of specialization include manual therapy, women’s health, and sport-specific rehabilitation (cycling, running and triathlon). Jessica served as therapist for Team USA at the Paralympic Games. From the Colorado APTA, she received the Bob Doctor Service Award in 2008 and was named the Colorado Outstanding Physical Therapist of the Year in 2014.
Renee Eastman
Physiological Testing
Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and holds a Master's in Exercise Science. Renee's early career highlights include work with USA Cycling and the US Olympic team as a sports science consultant. Since joining CTS in 2001, she's specialized in coaching a diverse array of athletes and has become CTS's physiological testing expert.
Gain An Edge Over Your Competition With The CTS High-Performance Program
Elevate your ultrarunning career with the CTS High-Performance Program, designed exclusively for elite ultrarunners who are ready to work with the best to surpass their limits. Contact our team using the form below to learn more and start your journey with CTS.
UTMB or ITRA Score Qualification Minimums
The following minimums must be met in order to be accepted into the program:
