Doctors of Running Podcast

When we talk shoes it's almost always midsoles: foams, plates, geometries, hype. We often forget the uppers of our shoes, and problems with them can make or break the running experience. Matt, David, and Nathan get together to talk about their three biggest pet-peeves when it comes to shoe fit. Heel rubbing, too much padding, narrow forefoots, and more. What are your fit pet-peeves? Email us at [email protected].
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
We're thrilled to introduce Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORJAN10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com/.
Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:16 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
26:31 - What can make or break a shoe's upper
31:03 - Low forefoot volume and width
32:39 - Not enough room where the midfoot & forefoot transition
35:13 - Overly tapered toe boxes
41:25 - Too early of a taper
43:05 - Overly plush & padded uppers
46:37 - Tongues that are either too thick or too thin
51:37 - Not enough security in the midfoot
54:11 - Heel seams that cause rubbing
57:51 - Heel counters that angle into the Achilles
1:02:31 - Wrap-up

Our teams loves answering your questions, so here we are to dig into the mailbag! Nathan, Andrea, and David team up and talk to talk shoes, training, and injuries. They discuss advice for running with arthritis and neuromas, the best wet-weather shoes, non-plated speed-training shoes, and much more. Want your question on the next mailbag? Email us at [email protected].
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
We're thrilled to introduce Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORJAN10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com/.
Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:48 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
16:26 - Advice for running degenerative joint disease and arthritis
25:00 - Good shoes for wet/muddy parkruns
30:34 - Does toe spring effect hyper extension?
40:06 - Brannock size vs. running shoe size
44:46 - Non-plated speed shoes
49:14 - Advice for children dealing with Sever's Disease
54:26 - Shoe options for training with a neuroma
1:00:46 - Wrap-up

We're heading into the new year with a new round of Buy or Sell, one of our favorite podcast games. If you don't know the drill, we force ourselves to decide whether we buy or sell an idea, shoe, treatment, etc. Today, Nathan, David, and Matt debate the Saucony Endorphin Azura (Shift 3 replacement??), the venerable ASICS Nimbus, whether runner's high really exists, and much more. Want your idea on the next edition of Buy or Sell? Email us at [email protected]!
We're thrilled to introduce Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORJAN10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com/.
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
4:26 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
14:20 - Buy/sell: Saucony Endorphin Azura
24:34 - The Azura as a Shift 3 replacement
29:18 - ASICS Nimbus 28 is better than the 27
35:54 - The Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is a super shoe
44:48 - Running a marathon or ultra in 2026
53:12 - Running doubles
1:01:50 - Runner's high is real
1:11:25 - Wrap-up

Nathan and Matt are joined by a very special guest, Dr. Karin Sibernagel, Professor at University of Delaware, to discuss the latest research about tendon anatomy, injury, and rehabilitation. Karin shares her extensive experience, both scientific and practical as a clinician, about everything tendon, especially the Achilles. They dive into the specific anatomy of tendons, why they so often get injured, and what you can do to rehabilitate on your own.
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:32 - Karin's background & research
6:30 - An overview of the anatomy of tendons
10:40 - How the muscle, bone, & tendon work together when in movement
14:18 - How to analyze how ready the calf complex is for running
21:18 - They physiology of tendon pain
24:46 - Risk factors for tendon injuries
27:24 - Rehabbing tendon pain
31:08 - Why heavy loading rebuilds tendons
36:38 - Timelines for tendon healing
38:32 - The results of Karin's latest research
48:52 - How useful is shockwave therapy?
54:24 - The role of shoes in achilles tendon pain
59:28 - The effect of consistent super shoe use on tendon health
1:08:54 - Wrap-up

In this final part of our series meeting with brands to highlight their updates in the next year, Andrea is joined by Russ Stevens & Carolyn Todd from Topo Athletic. They highlight the big redesign to the Specter 3 featuring an all new A-TPU midsole. They'r also bringing updates to the Atmos, Ultrafly, trail favorites like the Terraventure, and many more.
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:28 - What makes Topo tick
6:08 - Specter 3
10:47 - Atmos 2
15:34 - Ultrafly 6
19:12 - Aura 2
22:48 - Connect
28:28 - Ultraventure 5
31:18 - Terraventure 5
33:56 - Future Cyclone updates
38:45 - What the next couple years have in store for Topo
43:54 - Wrap-up