Three Zones vs Five Zones: What Ultrarunners Actually Need to Know

How Science-Based Tapering Unlocks Race-Day Performance

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/ [https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/] Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ [https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/] Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ [https://trainright.com/membership/] Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ [https://trainright.com/blog/] Resources: * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12840640/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12840640/] * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3156841/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3156841/] * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1559951/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1559951/]

Elite Coaching Without The Secret Sauce

CTS athletes captured nine Top 10 finishes at the 2026 Western States 100, including a course record and the overall women's victory. In this episode, Cliff Pittman explains what those results actually say about coaching. We discuss the three pillars that guide every CTS coach: personal connection, evidence-based training, and thoughtful use of data, and why those same principles apply whether you're training for your first ultramarathon or competing for a podium. 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/ [https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/] Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ [https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/] Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ [https://trainright.com/membership/] Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ [https://trainright.com/blog/]

The Minimum Maximum Training Plan For Your First 100-Miler

How much training does it really take to finish a 100-mile ultramarathon? In this episode, Cliff Pittman breaks down Jason Koop's Minimum-Maximum framework, explains why hours matter more than mileage, and shares a practical approach that helps everyday athletes prepare for their first ultra without living like a professional runner. 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/ [https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/] Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ [https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/] Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ [https://trainright.com/membership/] Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ [https://trainright.com/blog/]

Most Recovery Methods Are a Waste of Money

The recovery industry has convinced athletes that better recovery requires more products, more technology, and more spending. But the evidence tells a different story. In this episode, CTS Coaching Director Cliff Pittman ranks the most popular recovery methods from S-Tier to D-Tier and explains what the research actually says about sleep, nutrition, hydration, active recovery, ice baths, massage, compression, cryotherapy, supplements, and more. We discuss where recovery truly happens, which interventions provide meaningful benefits, and which ones are mostly marketing. The takeaway is simple: major in the basics and minor in the marginal gains. 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/ [https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/] Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ [https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/] Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ [https://trainright.com/membership/] Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ [https://trainright.com/blog/]

How Elite Western States Ultrarunners Train Without Gimmicks

When people look at elite Western States athletes, they often assume they're doing something fundamentally different. The reality is much simpler. In this episode, CTS Coaching Director Cliff Pittman breaks down the universal training principles that guide every successful Western States build and explains why elite athletes aren't following different rules, they're simply applying the same rules at a different scale. We discuss specificity, progressive overload, periodization, individuality, durability, heat adaptation, fueling, terrain preparation, and night running. Whether you're racing for the podium or chasing a silver buckle, the framework is the same. 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/ [https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/] Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/ [https://trainright.com/coaching/ultrarunning/] Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/ [https://trainright.com/membership/] Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/ [https://trainright.com/blog/]