three cyclists riding in a line

Trainright Guide to Heart Rate Training for Cycling

  By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author “The Time-Crunched Cyclist” and “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Although cycling power meters are widely available, heart rate is still valuable and useful as a training tool. If you don’t have a power meter, you can use heart rate training zones to target specific aspects of fitness and …

sam boardman

How to get faster on the bike – Part 1

Topics Covered In This Episode: The multiple meanings of “getting faster” in cycling The role of annual training volume in progression Fueling for speed The benefits of doing something new and doing nothing at all Why patience is essential for long-term improvement Guest Host and CTS Coach Adam Pulford is joined by Sam Boardman, a …

training for mountainous ultramarathons

Flatlander’s Guide to Training for Mountainous Ultramarathons

Topics Covered In This Episode: How to train for mountainous ultras when you live in flat regions Altitude tents vs. fundamental aerobic training Using local features to replicate vertical gain/loss from your event The advantage of using rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to prepare for varying terrain GUEST In this episode, host and CTS Coach …

downhill run training

How to Run Downhill Faster in Ultramarathons

The last time I raced Hardrock 100, it delivered a lesson on the value of downhill run training. The high-altitude race is notorious because it features an average elevation of over 11,000 feet and includes more than 32,000 feet of climbing and descending. Every race is a learning experience. The Hardrock Downhill Story To provide …

regain cycling speed

How to Regain Cycling Speed After Significant Time Off

CTS Coaches work with all kinds of athletes, including a large number of cyclists who want to return to high fitness or competitiveness following significant time off the bike. Life is seasonal, and many cyclists who were fast in their 20s redirected their focus to career and family for a few or several years. Now, …

when to test ftp

When and How Frequently Should You Test Your Cycling FTP?

Topics Covered In This Episode: When is a good time to test FTP? When should you NOT test your FTP? How do you know an unscheduled FTP test is warranted? How much of an FTP change (+ or -) is necessary before changing FTP values used for training ranges? What to do with your new …

CC MTB

Mountain Biking Tips for Road and Gravel Cyclists

One of the most positive cycling trends in the past several years has been a shift to athletes riding a variety bicycles and participating in multiple cycling disciplines. Bicycle design has certainly fed the trend, with bikes that can double as road or gravel bikes with a simple wheel or tire swap. Gravel has formed …

Cycling training data mistakes podcast episode

5 Common Mistakes You’re Likely Making With Your Training Data

Topics Covered In This Episode: What cyclists get wrong about Normalized Power Setting your training zones correctly How Normalized Power and Average Power compare How to use kilojoules to measure your workload and plan out your fueling strategy Show Links: How Normalized Power Works: https://help.trainingpeaks.com/hc/en-us/articles/218243287-Why-is-my-normalized-power-lower-than-my-average-power WKO5 Analytical Tool: https://www.wko5.com/ Related Content: Article – Energy Expenditure: …

trail running poles podcast episode

Should You Use Trail Running Poles At Your Next Ultramarathon?

Topics Covered In This Episode: The benefits of running with poles Factors to consider when choosing whether or not to use poles How to properly size your running poles How to incorporate trekking poles in your training Common mistakes athletes make when using poles Guest Bio Adam St. Pierre is a former CTS Expert Ultrarunning …