The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

Epizode

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  Fitness Isn't Performance: The Truth About CTL 20.07.2026 15min

  Cyclists often treat CTL like the ultimate measure of fitness, but that's only part of the story. In this episode, CTS Head Cycling Coach Adam Pulford explains what CTL actually measures, why performance and fitness aren't the same thing, and how to use your training data to peak for races instead of chasing a bigger number. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for enduran...
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  A Scalable Carb Fueling Plan Based On Effort 13.07.2026 19min

  Fueling advice has never been more confusing. One expert recommends fasted rides, another says 120 grams of carbs per hour, and every nutrition brand seems to have a different answer. In this episode, CTS Head Cycling Coach Adam Pulford introduces a practical fueling framework that scales carbohydrate intake to the demands of your ride. Using kilojoule output, ride intensity, and duration, you'll learn how to build a fueling strategy that's individualized, repeatable, and easy to apply for ea...
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  A Simple Framework For Raising Cycling FTP 06.07.2026 13min

  Want to increase your FTP? Many cyclists assume the answer is simple: do more FTP intervals. While that can help, it's only one piece of the puzzle. In this video, CTS Head Cycling Coach Adam Pulford introduces a simple coaching framework, Push vs. Pull, to explain how FTP is really built. You'll learn why aerobic training lays the foundation, how VO₂ max work raises your ceiling, and how to combine both throughout the season for your strongest FTP yet. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach ...
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  Everything Cyclists Get Wrong About Normalized Power 29.06.2026 22min

  If you've ever wondered what Normalized Power is actually telling you, this episode is for you! Normalized Power has become one of the most common metrics in cycling, but it's also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, CTS Head Cycling Coach Adam Pulford explains what Normalized Power was designed to measure, how it differs from average power, and why context matters when using it to evaluate training and racing. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and ho...
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  The Masters Athlete Playbook 22.06.2026 20min

  Do masters athletes really need more recovery, or are they simply balancing more life stress and responsibilities? In this episode, CTS Head Cycling Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the realities of training and racing as a masters athlete. We discuss recovery, consistency, intensity, strength training, race preparation, and how training priorities should evolve with age. The conversation explores both the physiological realities of aging and the habits that allow many athletes to continue impr...
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  Can AI Actually Make You Faster? 15.06.2026 18min

  AI is rapidly changing nearly every industry, and endurance coaching is no exception. In this episode, CTS Head Cycling Coach Adam Pulford explores where AI can genuinely help athletes improve, where it falls short, and why the future of coaching may be more collaborative than competitive. We discuss training data, prompting, bias, TrainingPeaks, Claude, ChatGPT, Vekta, Kristin Faulkner's use of AI, and the areas where experienced coaches still provide value that algorithms struggle to replic...
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  Active vs Passive Heat Training: Which Works Better? 08.06.2026 22min

  Heat adaptation can improve performance, comfort, and recovery in hot conditions. But many athletes make the mistake of treating heat training as free fitness. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the differences between active and passive heat training, how each method works, and why heat should be viewed as a training stressor in its own right. We discuss plasma volume expansion, sauna protocols, heated trainer rides, hydration, recovery considerations, and how to integrate h...
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  How to Climb Faster Without Increasing FTP 01.06.2026 14min

  Climbing faster isn’t always about increasing FTP or producing bigger power numbers. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the pacing strategies, tactics, fueling, and key workouts that help cyclists climb faster with the fitness they already have. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world. The Problem with Chasing Data ...
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  Why Data Alone Won’t Make You Faster 25.05.2026 14min

  Endurance athletes have access to more data than ever before, but data alone doesn’t guarantee better decisions. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the role of Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE) in training and racing, and why internal awareness remains one of the most important skills an athlete can develop. We cover pacing, training zones, effort calibration, common mistakes athletes make with RPE, and how to integrate subjective feedback with power and heart rate for better lo...
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  These Habits Are Quietly Killing Your Recovery 18.05.2026 16min

  Recovery isn’t just about what happens right after training, it’s about all the little things between sessions that add up. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the habits that quietly interfere with adaptation and leave athletes carrying more fatigue than they realize. We cover sleep, fueling, easy day intensity, stress management, post-workout recovery, and why the basics matter far more than expensive recovery gadgets or trends. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nea...
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  What “High Quality Training” Actually Means 11.05.2026 8min

  Quality training is often reduced to intensity, but that’s only part of the picture. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down what high-quality training actually looks like and why it’s often misunderstood. We cover the three pillars of high-quality training: the process, the result, and yes, the FUN! You’ll learn why pushing harder isn’t the answer, how to close the intention–execution gap, and how to structure rides that actually move your fitness forward. HOST Adam Pulford has...
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  You Don’t Have a Fitness Problem, You Have a Durability Problem 04.05.2026 14min

  Most athletes focus on how strong they are when fresh. But performance is defined by what holds up as fatigue accumulates. In this episode, we break down durability: what it is, how to measure it through fatigue resistance, and why it’s one of the most overlooked performance variables in endurance sport. We also cover how to train it effectively so you can maintain power, make better decisions late in races, and perform when it matters most. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly...
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  Why You Shouldn’t Train Alone All the Time 27.04.2026 15min

  Training alone might feel productive, but it’s not always the most effective way to improve. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford explores the concept of social facilitation and how training with others can enhance performance, motivation, and skill development. We also cover when group rides can backfire, how to find the right balance between solo and group training, and how to structure your week to get the most out of both. CTS Camp Schedule: https://trainright.com/camps/ ​​Free...
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  Why You’re Overcomplicating Endurance Training 20.04.2026 13min

  Zone 2 training has become increasingly complicated, with subzones like 2a, 2b, and even 2c being thrown around. But does any of that actually improve your training? In this episode, we break down what Zone 2 really is, why most of this added complexity is unnecessary, and how to organize your endurance training more effectively. The goal is simple: build aerobic fitness without overthinking it. When it comes to endurance, simplicity done consistently beats complexity every time. ​​Free C...
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  Why Shorter Rest Periods Lead to Bigger Gains (#300) 13.04.2026 11min

  Most cyclists think they need more volume or more power to improve. Coach Adam Pulford explains why that’s not always the case and how training density (doing the same work with less recovery) is one of the most effective ways to build durability, increase repeatability, and break through performance plateaus. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise ...
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  Is High Carb Fueling Bad for Your Health? (#299) 06.04.2026 8min

  If you're fueling with high carbs during training and worrying about diabetes, weight gain, or gut issues, this episode will change how you think about sugar. Coach Adam Pulford breaks down why your body handles carbohydrates completely differently during exercise than at rest, clears up one of the biggest nutrition myths in endurance sports, and gives you a simple, practical fueling framework so you can stop being afraid of carbs and start performing at your best. Free Cycling Training Asses...
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  Build a Bigger Aerobic Engine With These 2 Workouts (#298) 30.03.2026 9min

  Most cyclists think a massive amount of Zone 2 training is the secret to a bigger aerobic engine, but it's only part of the story. Coach Adam Pulford breaks down two workouts he uses with his athletes, from ProTour riders to time-crunched amateurs, to push aerobic fitness to the next level. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ RESOURCES Cycling’s Latest Trend: Structured Zone 2 IntervalsZone 2 Training to Improve Aerobic Endurance and F...
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  Pro Teams Are Doing Zone 2 Intervals. Should You? (#297) 23.03.2026 10min

  Zone 2 intervals are trending across pro pelotons and training apps, but are they actually superior to steady endurance riding, or just a complicated solution to a simple problem? Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the science, shares real athlete data, and gives you an honest answer on whether structured Zone 2 intervals are worth your time. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ RESOURCES Cycling’s Latest Trend: Structured Zone 2 IntervalsZ...
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  Finding Your Training Rhythm: A Weekly Framework for Time-Crunched Cyclists (#296) 17.03.2026 9min

  Struggling to fit training into your busy life? Coach Adam Pulford breaks down a simple weekly framework that helps time-crunched cyclists build real fitness — without burning out or blowing up their schedule. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ RESOURCES Time-Crunched? Here’s the Training Week Framework That WorksHow to Build a Strong Week of Your Cycling Training Plan - Chris CarmichaelASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST HERE HOST Ad...
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  We're Leveling Up — Here's What's Coming 13.03.2026 2min