CTS Ultrarunning Podcast

About 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 philosophy is simple: training can be complex, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Each episode translates cutting-edge sports science and decades of real-world coaching experience into clear, actionable strategies that athletes at every level can understand and apply. From endurance nutrition and fueling to strength training, periodization, and race-day execution, Cliff distills the collective knowledge of the CTS coaching group to help you improve your performance. CTS was founded by legendary coach Chris Carmichael and has spent more than 25 years developing champions across endurance sports. The CTS coaching methodology is rooted in individualized, science-driven training: the same approach that has taken athletes to podiums around the world now comes to the trail and ultrarunning community through this podcast. Tune in for no-hype conversations grounded in research and experience.

Publisher

CTS

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Mar 2026

Latest episode

4 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Nov 2026

   How Fast Do You Lose Fitness? The Science of Detraining

   Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment How much fitness do you really lose when you take a break from training? In this episode, CTS Director of Coaching Cliff Pittman examines the research on detraining and explains what happens to endurance performance when training stops or decreases. Cliff discusses the effects of two weeks without running, why maintaining fitness requires less training than building it, and how to prioritize intensity, frequency, and volume when life disrupts yo...

2. 

   28 Oct 2026

   Five Decisions For A Strong Ultra

   Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment An ultramarathon race strategy is more than a pacing chart or a set of splits uploaded to your watch. It's a series of decisions made before the start line that help you respond when the race doesn't go according to plan. In this episode, CTS Director of Coaching Cliff Pittman shares the five decisions behind an effective race strategy, from defining your goal and understanding your psychology to studying the course, setting realistic pacing and fueli...

3. 

   21 Oct 2026

   How To Train For Ultrarunning After Dark

   Free Ultrarunning Training Assessment For many first-time ultrarunners, the prospect of running through the night is more intimidating than the distance itself. How will you navigate technical terrain with a headlamp? What happens when sleepiness sets in? And do you actually need to train while sleep-deprived to prepare? In this episode, CTS Director of Coaching Cliff Pittman breaks down what changes when the sun goes down during an ultramarathon and how athletes can prepare without unnec...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Singletrack

• 

  Crack A Brew With AJW

• 

  Some Work, All Play

• 

  Everyday Ultra

• 

  The Trail Network Podcast

• 

  The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman