CTS Ultrarunning Podcast

Whether you're lining up for your first trail 50K or chasing a buckle at the Western States 100, the CTS Ultrarunning Podcast delivers the science-backed, evidence-based training guidance you need to run farther, recover smarter, and race better. Hosted by Cliff Pittman, Coaching Development Director at CTS, this podcast brings over 25 years of elite coaching expertise directly to your earbuds. Cliff is a UESCA-certified Ultrarunning Coach and Sports Nutritionist, NASM-certified personal trainer, and an accomplished trail and ultra athlete himself, actively competing in his home state of Arkansas. He has guided athletes through some of the most demanding events in the sport, including the Western States 100, Leadville 100, Cocodona 250, UTMB, the Triple Crown of 200s, and the Sky Running World Championships, and has worked with notable athletes including Olympic marathoner Molly Seidel and elite ultrarunners Zoe Rom and Hannah Allgood. Cliff's coaching philoso

CTS Ultrarunning Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by CTS, with 22 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

CTS hosts CTS Ultrarunning Podcast, a sports show with 22 episodes published.

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  Episode #22

  Race High When You Live Low

  Aug 12, 202612 minS1

  Racing at altitude can feel intimidating, especially if you live at sea level. Should you buy an altitude tent? Sleep in a hypoxic chamber? Wear an altitude mask? In this episode, CTS Director of Coaching Cliff Pittman explains what actually improves altitude performance, how to time your arrival before race day, where heat training fits, and why your biggest advantage is still the fitness you build before you travel. Whether you're preparing for Leadville, Pikes Peak, or any race at elevation, this video will help you focus on the strategies that matter and avoid wasting time and money on the ones that don't. HOST Cliff Pittman is the Coaching Development Director at CTS, leading the Ultrarunning and Cycling Coaching staff with a specialty in guiding athletes from first-time ultrarunners to elite competitors at races like Western States 100, Leadville 100, and the Triple Crown of 200s. A competitive trail and ultra athlete himself, Cliff brings firsthand experience and a rare ability to turn complex training science into simple, actionable coaching. ​​Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/

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  Episode #21

  The Gym Should Build What Running Cannot

  Aug 5, 202621 minS1

  Strength training should support your running, not compete with it. In this episode, Cliff Pittman explains how ultrarunners should approach the weight room, why most strength programs miss the point, and how to build strength that transfers to better performance, greater durability, and fewer injuries. HOST Cliff Pittman is the Coaching Development Director at CTS, leading the Ultrarunning and Cycling Coaching staff with a specialty in guiding athletes from first-time ultrarunners to elite competitors at races like Western States 100, Leadville 100, and the Triple Crown of 200s. A competitive trail and ultra athlete himself, Cliff brings firsthand experience and a rare ability to turn complex training science into simple, actionable coaching. ​​Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ Resources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4532714/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33629972/

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  Episode #20

  Why Heart Rate And Pace Fail On Trails

  Jul 29, 202615 minS1

  Heart rate or pace? For years, runners have debated which is better, but both measure different parts of the same effort. In this episode, CTS Director of Coaching Cliff Pittman explains why RPE is the missing piece, how perceived effort integrates cardiovascular strain, metabolic demand, and mechanical loading, and why learning to trust it can improve both training and race-day pacing. HOST Cliff Pittman is the Coaching Development Director at CTS, leading the Ultrarunning and Cycling Coaching staff with a specialty in guiding athletes from first-time ultrarunners to elite competitors at races like Western States 100, Leadville 100, and the Triple Crown of 200s. A competitive trail and ultra athlete himself, Cliff brings firsthand experience and a rare ability to turn complex training science into simple, actionable coaching. ​​Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ Resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10eFC_tdi8c_V6_S-m28YLCfp_qmWzZ3r/view https://borgperception.se/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/The-Borg-CR-Scales-Folder.pdf

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  Episode #19

  How to Build the Perfect Taper

  Jul 22, 20267 minS1

  In the last episode, we explained why tapering works. This week, Cliff Pittman shows you how to actually build one. Learn how much to reduce training, what to keep in your program, and why the biggest mistake athletes make isn't in training, it's reacting to the taper itself. HOST Cliff Pittman is the Coaching Development Director at CTS, leading the Ultrarunning and Cycling Coaching staff with a specialty in guiding athletes from first-time ultrarunners to elite competitors at races like Western States 100, Leadville 100, and the Triple Crown of 200s. A competitive trail and ultra athlete himself, Cliff brings firsthand experience and a rare ability to turn complex training science into simple, actionable coaching . ​​Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/

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  Episode #18

  How Science-Based Tapering Unlocks Race-Day Performance

  Jul 15, 202610 minS1

  Many athletes worry they'll lose fitness during a taper, but the research says otherwise! In Part 1 of this two-part series, CTS Coaching Director Cliff Pittman breaks down what tapering actually does, why the final weeks before your race are about reducing fatigue, not building fitness, and the science behind the taper strategies that consistently produce the best results. HOST Cliff Pittman is the Coaching Development Director at CTS, leading the Ultrarunning and Cycling Coaching staff with a specialty in guiding athletes from first-time ultrarunners to elite competitors at races like Western States 100, Leadville 100, and the Triple Crown of 200s. A competitive trail and ultra athlete himself, Cliff brings firsthand experience and a rare ability to turn complex training science into simple, actionable coaching. ​​Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ Resources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12840640/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3156841/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1559951/

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