Doctors of Running Podcast

It's that time of year again, now that 2024 is coming to a close we'll wrap up the year with our favorite shoes. On this special two part episode, the entire four-person team (Nathan, Matt, David, Andrea) get together to talk about their favorites from a year full of phenomenal shoes. On part 1 they discuss daily trainers, stability, long run shoes, and trail. Be sure to tune in next week for part 2! We'd love hear your favorites too! DM us on Instagram or email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Get your DOR Merch: ⁠https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:36 - What was your favorite running related memory this year? 6:38 - Favorite daily trainers 19:50 - Favorite stability trainer 30:13 - Favorite long run shoe 44:55 - Favorite trail shoe 58:50 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Your favorite game show is back! Matt and David play Buy or Sell with a number of end-of-year topics. They talk about the hot new trend of trainers skyrocketing pass 40mm, discuss whether stability shoes are better now than they’ve ever been before, and question if the Vaporfly is no longer the king of the marathon. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:30 - Signature daily trainers over 40mm stack 7:02 - Nike is no longer the leader of super racing shoes 12:04 - Apparel brands making shoes is a good thing 15:50 - Stability shoes are better now than they have ever benn 23:24 - There are still many voids in the running market to be filled 28:34 - It's harder now than ever to select a shoe for a new runner 41:28 - Crossover/athleisure running shoes 51:54 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

On this very special episode, we're joined by some of our friends at Saucony, Brooks, and Puma to get a sneak peak at what's coming for them in 2025. We get to hear about the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 & Elite 2, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 & Glycerin 22, the Puma FAST-RB & Deviate Nitro Elite Trail, and many more exciting updates! Tune in and get hyped for the latest and greatest shoes coming in the next year. It's been a long time coming but our official Doctors of Running merch store has finally arrived! You can now get your official Doctors of Running shirt, DOR Podcast hoodie, and for a limited time only the Matt-approved "Got Heel Bevel?" tee! We are so thrilled for your support whether you are new or longtime readers, followers of the channel. We wouldn't be here without you! Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 20% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:37 - Saucony 33:22 - Brooks 55:37 - Puma 1:24:00 - Outro --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

On this episode, Matt is joined by two special guests from Brooks, Jennifer Sumner and Evan Day, biomechanists and researchers on the Brooks' Run Research Team. They give a behind-the-scenes look at how Brooks develops shoes not only for the elites, but for the every day, average runner. They discuss how biomechanics differ and what that means for designing and choosing shoes. They explain the differences between "stability" and "support" and look down the road at what's next for real-world runner testing. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:59 - How Brooks develops footwear for the everyday runner 9:35 - Brooks's data on racing shoes for the average runner 14:32 - How biomechanics informs shoe development for the recreational runner 18:54 - Building for the elite athlete 25:19 - How the idea of the habitual motion path has evolved 39:16 - How could we rethink categorizing shoes for new runners? 49:37 - Support vs. stability 53:56 - Brooks's real world runner testing 1:03:54 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

We talk a lot about how to find the right shoe for you, not a mythical "best" shoe. On this episode, Matt interviews Nathan and David on how they go about picking their shoe through a normal training week. They discuss upper fit and comfort, midsole composition & geometry, plates, and more. We hope this gives you a framework to find the best tools for your training! Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:45 - How Nathan picks his shoes 5:50 - How David picks his shoes 8:51 - New runner experiences in new age shoes 15:36 - How we asses upper fit 32:50 - How we pick the types of midsoles we like the most 48:30 - If your perfect shoe was a pizza, how would you make it? 58:43 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

We love a mailbag episode, where we get to answer your questions! Matt & Andrea take on a bevvy of listener quandaries. Tune in for discussions about stable marathon racing shoes, the link between heel drop in shoes and shin splints, wide toebox shoes, and much more. We want to hear from you! DM us on Instagram or email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:37 - Recommendations for stable marathon shoes 8:38 - Do some shoe brands lend themselves to certain foot pathologies? 16:00 - Could higher drop shoes effect shin pain? 25:08 - Help for pubic stress fracture 34:52 - Wide-toebox shoe recommendations 38:56 - Does using less-maximal shoes improve foot strength? 43:40 - Recommendations for stable-yet-fun shoes 50:00 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

On this episode, Andrea is joined by a very special guest: Dr. Allen Lim, founder of Skratch Labs. Allen gives us a breakdown on everything nutrition and hydration for endurance athletes. How should you fuel before/during the run? How do you measure and apply your sweat rate to how you hydrate? What role does protein play in recovery? And much more! While working as a sport scientist and coach for a professional cycling team, Dr. Allen Lim started making his own training food and sports drinks from scratch for the cyclists because too many of the pre-packaged sports bars and drinks that were marketed or given to them were laden with artificial ingredients and literally making them sick to their stomach. Eventually, he started making a “secret drink mix” in his kitchen using a recipe with less sugar, more sodium, and no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors, with a simple and clean taste created by using real fruit. Soon, word of the "Secret Drink Mix" was spreading fast and it was clear that the demand for our all natural drink mixes extended far beyond cyclists or endurance athletes. To meet the growing demand, Allen put together a team of close friends and they decided to let the secret out by opening a little company in Boulder, Colorado called Skratch Labs. Head over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s website and save 20% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 5:05 - How Skratch's products have developed over time 13:48 - Would it be better for some to not eat if they're limited on time before their run? 17:26 - How to measure and apply your sweat rate to your nutrition 26:04 - What is glycogen? 31:22 - Why is protein important for endurance athletes? 36:50 - What happens physiologically when you "bonk"? 40:42 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

This episode is about all things ASICS! ASICS has come out with steady stream of stellar updates this year with the Metaspeed Paris series, Superblast 2, Novablast 4, and many more. Matt & David break down the ASICS lineup to help you choose your next ASICS daily trainer, performance trainer, and racing shoe. We want to hear from you! What's been your favorite ASICS shoe of 2024? Leave a comment on Spotify or email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 20% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:22 - Daily trainers: Cumulus 26, Nimbus 26, and Glideride Max 11:29 - Stability: GT 2000-13, Kayano 31 18:33 - Performance Trainers: Noosa Tri & Magicspeed 4 26:00 - Racers: Metaspeed Edge & Sky Paris 33:08 - Blast shoes: Novablast 4 and Superblast 2 41:58 - How would you change the ASICS lineup? 48:47 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Max-stack shoes are everywhere and from every brand these days. And even what "maximal" means has changed with the standard midsole thickness creeping closer and closer to 40mm. Nathan and Matt take a look at what "maximal" means now, how our physiology and mechanics change using these shoes, how they effect injury risks, and how much caution runners (especially new ones) should exercise with them. Nathan also gives us his Wisconsin-honed cold weather clothing tips for staying warm as the temps start to drop. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 20% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 4:05 - Nathan's specific winter weather clothing recommendations 17:35 - Tips for avoiding dangerous levels of cold 21:21 - Winter stroller running tips 23:51 - Redefining "maximalist" shoes 28:02 - The science of physiological changes in maximal shoes 35:50 - How do maximal shoes impact our injury rates and types? 40:32 - Should running newcomers excersize caution when using maximal shoes? 46:03 - What role do minimalist shoes play? 55:11 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Time for another mailbag show where we answer your questions about shoe, pathologies, racing, and beyond. Nathan, David, and Matt get together to field questions on shoe geometries, shoes for flat feet, shoes for Haglund's deformity, uphill racing, and much more. Want to have your question answered on our next mailbag? DM us on Instagram or email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com! Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 20% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:38 - Why might someone be sensitive to shoe flexibility? 12:44 - Foot pain with flat feet and cushioned shoes 19:34 - Taking a holistic view of the cause of pain 25:34 - Shoe recommendations for groomed trails 34:14 - Casual/dress shoes options for Haglunds deformity 40:53 - Recovery footwear & foot strength 46:58 - Shoe recommendations for an uphill marathon 56:14 - Shoes to avoid hamstring pain 59:30 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Welcome back to another edition of This or That? where Nathan makes David & Matt make their hottest of takes. They debate soft vs firm shoes, PR-ing or running a bucket list race, rehabbing at home or with a PT, and more. They also take a moment to discuss race recovery as we head into fall racing season. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 20% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:06 - How to best recover from half and marathons 8:42 - The place of active recovery 11:12 - Taking time off after a marathon 14:20 - Should I race while injured? 17:17 - Post-race mental recovery 26:28 - This or That? Track 5K or Cross-country 5K? 28:40 - Best Endorphin Shift replacement: Glideride Max or Glycerine Max 35:52 - Soft or firm shoes? 39:24 - New PR or run a bucket-list race? 46:24 - Manual therapy or excercise? 50:30 - DIY rehab or going to see a PT? 57:00 - Rigid or flexible forefoot for easy miles? 1:00:16 - Reviewing shoe performance based on effort or pace? 1:09:38 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Ever had a shoe that everyone recommends only to finally try it out and be disappointed? How is it that one person can love a shoe and someone else loathe it? Matt & Andrea dive into how and why we feel things about our running shoes. They take a look at how biomechanics, gait, shoe construction & geometry, and more impact how we perceive the ride, speed, comfort, and softness of a shoe. They also compare & contrast their thoughts on a handful of specific shoes like the New Balance Rebel V4 and the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 20% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:48 - How do biomechanics influence how we perceive shoes? 8:40 - How the Preferred Movement Pathway can inform shoe choice 16:26 - The effect of perceptive sensitivity 22:42 - How shoe geometry & construction impacts how it feels 31:34 - Thoughts on the Puma Magmax 38:58 - Thoughts on the New Balance Balos 42:25 - Thoughts on the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2 48:28 - The importance of getting the right size shoe 52:54 - Thoughts on the New Balance Rebel V4 55:58 - Andrea was right about the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 59:34 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

We all know the hype shoes, the one that are all over our social feeds, but what about the underdogs, the ones that fly under the radar? On this episode David and Nathan get together to talk about their top underrated shoes of the year so far. Afterwards they talk about some of their favorite shoes to use outside of running, and the shoes that give them the best "value" (do with that term what you will). Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:44 - Top 5 underrated shoes this year 9:03 - #4 Underrated 14:28 - #3 Underrated 16:52 - #2 Underrated 23:18 - #1 Underrated 31:32 - Shoes we love outside of running 40:08 - Most valuable, bang-for-buck shoes 51:08 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

If you've been following Doctors of Running for a while, you know we love a good heel bevel. For many of us (especially Matt), it can make or break the experience of a shoe. Matt & David get together to take a deep dive on heel bevels. They look at what it is, how it effects motion and mechanics, and explore some specific examples (everything from the Brooks Ghost Max 2 to the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2). Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:47 - What is a heel bevel? 9:16 - How do heel bevels influence motion? 16:05 - Some examples of shoes with differeing bevels 24:31 - How foam properties influence bevels 26:07 - Some extreme bevel examples 29:46 - Designing the ideal heel bevel 36:58 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

On this special edition of the podcast, Matt & Nathan get together to discuss dad & family life. They share their daily routines, family rhythms, and how running fits into it all, especially in the face of big recent life changes. As always, there's a little shoe-talk thrown in as they discuss New Balance's latest update to the venerable 860 and Nathan's recent experiences sizing up in a few shoes. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:44 - New stability methods and the New Balance 860 9:41 - When it's branching out from your normal shoe size 13:59 - Matt's new life changes 23:36 - Nathan's work/life routines 28:16 - The benefits & challenges of fitting running into family life 35:42 - Finding your priorities as life stages shift 45:47 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Mailbag–time for more of your questions! On this episode, Andrea tackles a bunch of footwear and training queries. Learn more about heel bevels, the effect of soft shoes on hip mechanics, shoes after ACL surgery, adapting to the heat. and more. Plus, she shares her unique experience as a former professional cyclist and current bike-fitter on how to replace or supplement easy running with bike rides. Want your question answered? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:56 - Andrea's current favorite shoes 9:16 - The effect of heel bevels on stability 14:24 - Shoe suggestions for Hyrox 19:08 - Shoes for metatarsalgia 23:30 - Trail shoes with no heel counter 25:15 - Shoe suggestions while coming back from ACL surgery 31:04 - Can softer/bouncier shoes cause hip pain? 35:48 - Heat adaptations as you age 42:07 - Replacing easy runs with cycling 47:29 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Time for another edition of "This or That" where we pit two opposing concepts (shoes, training, recovery, nonsense) against each other and force ourselves to pick a side. On this episode, Nathan, David, and Matt debate...well...pretty much everything: super trainers vs. training companion shoes, running in the heat vs. the cold, long racing vs. short racing, LeBron vs. Caitlin Clark, and even California geography. If you're looking for needlessly hot takes, we've got 'em. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 5:18 - 2023 shoes vs. 2024 shoes 16:04 - Saucony Ride 16 vs 17 19:10 - Marathon vs. Half marathon 24:44 - Running in 0º or 100º 28:50 - Santa Barbara is Southern California or Central Coast? 34:22 - Foam rolling vs. percussive massage 38:50 - Supertrainers vs. training companions 44:19 - SC Trainer v3 vs. On Cloudmonster Hyper 47:16 - Only racing 5Ks vs. marathons 55:04 - Only road running vs. only trail running 56:54 - Rockered vs. flexible shoes 59:05 - Lebron vs. Caitlin Clark BQ-ing 1:03:06 - Running at the Olympics: no golds but three medals or only one gold in three races 1:05:51 - Top 2 starting shoes: Pegasus, Ghost, Cumulus, 880, Wave Rider, Ride 17 1:12:30 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

If you know DOR, you know we love talking about stable neutral shoes. On this episode, Nathan and Matt take a look at some of their favorite stability shoes of 2024. They start at the basics, defining "stable neutral" and giving some guidance how to know whether you could benefit stability in a shoe. Then, they pair up shoes like the Brooks Ghost Max 2, ASICS Superblast 2, New Balance More v5 and more for some compare/contrast Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:13 - Defining "stable neutral" 4:12 - Assessing your need for stability in shoes 6:14 - Components of stable neutral shoes 14:09 - Brooks Ghost Max 2 vs. On Cloudrunner 2 21:53 - On Cloudmonster Hyper vs. New Balance More v5 26:46 - adidas Terrex Agragic 3 vs. Hoka Speedgoat 5 31:00 - Brooks Hyperion Max vs. Hoka Skyflow 34:08 - Hoka Skyward X vs. ASICS Glideride Max 40:44 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Today's episode is all about the long run, one of the most critical, and most fretted over, parts of a runner's training. David and Matt get together to share their expertise on surviving and thriving on those long days. They discuss the physiological and mental benefits you gain over a long run, as well as the risks as you build up to it. Of course they share their favorite shoes and give guidance on how to pick what to put on your feet. Finally they give strategies on adjusting your runs in extreme heat or cold, and how to build back to a long run after dealing with an injury. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:16 - What's the point of a long run? 5:36 - The benefits and risks of long runs 20:00 - What makes a run a "long" run and how do you build to one? 28:20 - How should you pace your long runs? 31:06 - Picking your shoes for your long run 41:58 - How do you adjust your long run for extreme weather? 52:54 - How do you come back to a long run after injury? 58:38 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support

Between super racing shoes and super trainers, it seems like half the shoes on the market have super foams and/or carbon plates. But, what if spending too much time in these maximally performing, fun shoes, might be doing us a disservice? Matt and David look into the research and share anecdotes from their own training on how super shoes have affected them. Then they take a look at some of the excellent non-plated, lightweight trainer options like the New Balance Rebel v4, Topo Cyclone 2, and more. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:04 - The pros/cons of training in plated & super shoes 14:14 - Topo Cyclone 2 16:52 - Kinvara 15 19:36 - ASICS Tri Noosa 16 22:51 - New Balance Rebel v4 24:37 - Hoka Mach 6 26:52 - Brooks Hyperion 30:50 - Saucony Ride 17 33:56 - Wrap-up --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctors-of-running/support