Explore every episode of the podcast CTS Ultrarunning Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Training Mistake Most Ultrarunners are Making (Ep #1) | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:05:09 | |
Zone 2 training is the foundation of ultramarathon performance, but if it's all you're doing, it's also why you've stopped improving. Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down exactly how CTS Coaches strategically add intensity to raise your aerobic ceiling and make your easy running faster. Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ HOST | |||
| How Long Should Your Longest Run be Before an Ultra? (Ep #2) | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:07:04 | |
Most ultrarunners obsess over how long their longest run should be, but it might be the wrong question entirely. Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down how CTS Coaches actually determine long run length, and why one big run matters far less than most runners think. Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ HOST | |||
| These 12 Workouts Build Ultramarathon Fitness (#3) | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:08:31 | |
Most ultrarunners train almost entirely at easy intensity — and eventually stop improving because of it. In this episode, Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down the 12 running workouts he uses with his athletes to develop VO2 max, lactate threshold, and aerobic durability, and explains exactly what each one does so you can train with purpose and build the fitness that holds up late in a race. CTS Article: https://trainright.com/12-running-workouts-for-ultramarathon-success/ Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ HOST | |||
| The #1 Reason Ultrarunners DNF...And How to Avoid It (#4) | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:07:05 | |
Most ultrarunners spend months building fitness, logging miles, and dialing in pacing, but never train the one system that causes more DNFs than anything else. In this episode, Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down the science behind GI distress in ultramarathons, explains why so many athletes accidentally cause their own stomach problems, and walks through exactly how to train your gut so it holds up when it matters most. Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ 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. 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/ | |||
| How to Build Durability That Lasts 100 Miles (#5) | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:09:13 | |
For decades, endurance performance has been defined by VO₂max, lactate threshold, and efficiency, but there’s a fourth variable that often gets overlooked called durability. This episode breaks down what durability actually is, why athletes with similar fitness can perform very differently late in races, and how to measure it through real-world data like heart rate drift. We also cover how to build durability through training, so you can maintain your performance when fatigue starts to take over. Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ 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. 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: | |||
| Weighted Vests, Circuits, and the Truth About Muscular Endurance | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:10:48 | |
Shortcuts disguised as ways to build muscular endurance, like weighted vest hikes and fatigue circuits, often add stress without meaningful adaptation. In this video, CTS Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down what muscular endurance actually is in ultrarunning and why imitation is not the same as specificity. We cover what the research supports and what does not transfer. The takeaway is simple: focus on the work that actually drives adaptation, because these so-called shortcuts do not just fall short, they add fatigue, increase injury risk, and take time away from what matters most. Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ 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. 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: | |||
| Why Easy Running Is the Foundation of Endurance Performance | 13 May 2026 | 00:11:53 | |
Easy running is often misunderstood, underappreciated, or done too hard. In this episode, CTS Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down what easy running actually does physiologically and why it forms the foundation of endurance performance. 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/ | |||
| Three Zones vs Five Zones: What Ultrarunners Actually Need to Know | 06 May 2026 | 00:10:33 | |
Training zones are often presented as precise and complex, but the underlying physiology is far simpler. In this episode, CTS Coach Cliff Pittman explains the origin of training zones, why three zones reflect the true physiological model, and how five zones are used as a practical tool for structuring training. We also cover how to determine your own zones, why labels differ across platforms, and how to apply this framework to real-world ultrarunning. The takeaway is clear: it’s not about how many zones you use, it’s about how you distribute your effort. Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ 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. Running Pace and Heart Rate Training Zones Calculator: https://trainright.com/running-pace-and-heart-rate-zone-calculator/ 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/ | |||
| DIY Training Camps: The Missing Piece in Your Ultra Prep | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:11:09 | |
Training fresh is the easy part. What happens under fatigue is everything. In this episode, CTS Coach Cliff Pittman explains how DIY training camps can bridge that gap by simulating the physical and psychological demands of late-race conditions. We cover how to structure a 2-3 day training block, when to schedule it, and how to balance stimulus with recovery so you gain meaningful adaptation without unnecessary risk. Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/ultrarunning-training-assessment-welcome/ 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. 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/ | |||
| The Smarter Way to Heat Train for Western States | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:10:31 | |
Heat acclimation can be a powerful tool for ultrarunners, but more isn't always better. In this episode, CTS Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down what the research actually says about heat adaptation and why many athletes are accumulating unnecessary fatigue in pursuit of marginal gains. We cover plasma volume expansion, passive heat exposure, sauna protocols, hot water immersion, taper timing, and the minimum effective dose needed to arrive at race day prepared without compromising fitness. Fitness remains the primary adaptation. Heat training should support it, not replace it. 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/ Running Pace and Heart Rate Training Zones Calculator: https://trainright.com/running-pace-and-heart-rate-zone-calculator/ 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/ Sources: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sms.12638 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.01080/full https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00315.2021 https://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440(06)00139-3/abstract | |||
| What Marathoners Get Wrong About Ultramarathons | 27 May 2026 | 00:12:15 | |
The transition from marathon to ultramarathon is more nuanced than simply running longer. In this episode, CTS Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down the biggest differences between marathon and ultra training, and what athletes actually need to change when making the jump. We cover terrain, pacing, fueling, durability, gear, mental resilience, and the “Minimum Effective Change” model used while helping Olympic medalist Molly Seidel transition into trail ultrarunning. 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/ Running Pace and Heart Rate Training Zones Calculator: https://trainright.com/running-pace-and-heart-rate-zone-calculator/ 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/ | |||
| How to Know If Your Endurance Is Actually Improving | 20 May 2026 | 00:07:48 | |
Fitness progress is often hard to recognize and frustrating to “track”. In this episode, CTS Coach Cliff Pittman breaks down the most reliable ways to measure endurance improvement and how those benchmarks change depending on your level of structure and available tools. We cover easy run heart rate trends, Strava segments, interval repeatability, threshold testing, and why patterns over time matter far more than isolated data points. 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/ Running Pace and Heart Rate Training Zones Calculator: https://trainright.com/running-pace-and-heart-rate-zone-calculator/ 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/ | |||