CTS Ultrarunning

Feeling sharp in training can be reassuring, especially as race day gets closer. But the fitness that produces a great interval session isn’t necessarily the fitness that carries you through 100 miles.

Ultrarunning asks you to sustain as much of your capacity as possible for hours on end. Building that ability requires a tremendous aerobic foundation, which is why volume becomes such an important part of race-specific training. ⛰️

There’s still a place for intensity throughout the year, but hanging onto more of it simply because it makes you feel fit can pull training away from what your race actually demands.

🔨 Volume is the biggest hammer we have for building the durability an ultra requires.

Full breakdown on the CTS YouTube channel. Link in bio. 📺

Want to fuel like an elite ultrarunner? 🏃‍♀️

Don’t copy their numbers. Copy their process.

We sat down with Precision Fuel & Hydration Sports Scientist Emily Arrell to go behind the scenes of how elite fueling plans are actually built, tested, and adjusted when things don’t go according to plan.

The best part? You don’t have to be a pro to apply the same principles.

Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel. 🔗 Link in bio.

Got a race at altitude... but live at sea level?

Every year, runners preparing for races like Leadville and Pikes Peak ask the same questions:

❓ Should I buy an altitude tent?
❓ Do altitude masks actually work?
❓ Should I arrive early?

The truth? Most athletes spend too much time worrying about gadgets and not enough time building the thing that matters most: Fitness.

Coach Cliff Pittman explains what actually works, what isn’t worth your money, and how to prepare for altitude with an evidence-based plan.

Watch the full breakdown on YouTube. Link in bio. 🔗

The gym isn’t supposed to look like running.

Running already develops the endurance, muscular endurance, and movement efficiency your sport demands.

So why are so many runners spending hours in the gym trying to recreate the feeling of mile 80?

The weight room has a different job: Build what running can’t.

🏋️ Strength
⚡ Power
🛡️ Resilience

Coach Cliff Pittman explains why so much strength training advice misses the point and what actually transfers to better performance.

Watch the full video on YouTube. Link in bio.

What’s the best training metric for ultrarunning?

🫀Heart rate measures one system.
⏱️Pace measures another.

But RPE brings them all together, giving you the complete picture of how hard your body is working in real time.

Watch the full breakdown on YouTube. Link in bio.

Trust your taper! 😤

Last week we covered why tapering works. This week we’re covering how to actually do it.

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make before race day is trying to “feel sharp” again. 🔪 A few flat runs, restless legs, or a dip in confidence is enough to convince them they need to squeeze in just one more hard workout.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what ruins an otherwise great taper…

In Part 2, Coach Cliff Pittman walks through how to structure your taper, what training to keep, what to reduce, and why feeling flat isn’t usually a warning sign.

Watch the full breakdown on our YouTube channel. Link in bio. 🔗

Relive the emotion, the teamwork, and the moments that made this year’s Western States unforgettable!

🎥 The full film is now live on our YouTube channel. Link in bio.

Think you’re losing fitness during your taper? 📉

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make before race day is mistaking reduced training for reduced fitness. In reality, by the time your taper begins, the window for building new fitness has largely closed. What you’re managing now is fatigue.

The research is remarkably consistent: a well-executed taper can improve performance by 2–3%, making it one of the most effective performance tools available.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down the science behind tapering, why so many athletes get it wrong, and what the research actually recommends before race day.

Watch the full video on our YouTube channel. Link in bio.