Doctors of Running Podcast

This episode is all about your questions! Nate, Matt, and DJ cover a broad range of topics, from shifting stability needs to exercises for your hips. What shoes can help Hallux Limitus? What racing shoes are best for heel strikers? Tune in to hear answers to these and more. Be sure to listen all the way to the end to hear about everyone's favorite post-race eats. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:39 - Do we...

For DOR Contributors Andrea Myers and Megan Flynn, 2022 was filled with a ton of training and racing, and not just running. In this episode, Andrea & Megan share their training journeys from the past year: everything from workouts, races, injuries, and even triathlons. They also offer tips and strategies to help you better reflect on and learn from your fitness journey.  The Subjective :...

"Responsiveness" is a term often thrown around loosely in the running shoe world, but what does it really mean? On this episode of the podcast, Matt & David take a stab at defining it and exploring its many facets. A shoe's responsiveness depends on the midsole foam, geometry, stiffness, as well as an individual's biomechanics. They also compare and contrast the responsiveness of different sho...

Almost every runner has logged miles in stability shoes at some point in their running journey. In the past few years, the definition of "stability" has shifted with the advent of new foams and midsole geometries. On today's show, Nathan and Matt take a deep dive into the world of stability. They explore the history of stability shoes, current technologies, and upcoming new models. They also provi...

In this week's episode Matt is joined by Wessel van Veenen, an orthotic specialist. The duo discusses some basics of appropriate orthotic usage and explores best practice use. They then dive into some new, exciting developments in the world of orthotics to look out for. Wessel also shares his unique background in footwear, including some unique testing through a brand that's exploded back into the...

On this episode, Andrea and Megan are joined by a very special guest: Amelia Boone! Amelia's an incredibly accomplished obstacle racer and ultra runner. Tune in to hear how she's survived and won so many epic, painful races. She'll also share her story of long injury history and struggle with an eating disorder, offering strategies to fight and recover even stronger. Amelia Boone is a full-time co...

This second part of our winter running feature is all about the treadmill. Some days, the weather is just too rough to brave the elements, or maybe the schedule calls for a hard workout that will be unnecessarily challenging in the cold/snow/ice; that's where the treadmill comes in. Nate & Andrea share tips to finding and buying the right treadmill for your needs, how to adjust your training, thei...

As we sink into the depths of winter, getting out for a run can get more challenging. Running in the extreme cold, icy, and snowy conditions presents unique obstacles to training. In this two-part conversation, Nate and Andrea (both cold-climate natives in Wisconsin and Connecticut) share their favorite strategies for mastering the winter, from training adaptations to gear & clothing. Stay tuned f...

Mizuno's brand new super shoe, the Wave Rebellion Pro, features some of the wildest geometry on the running shoe market. Featuring a huge stack of foam, an extreme heel bevel, midsole cutouts, and a carbon-infused plate, Mizuno's made an impressively fast & bouncy super shoe, worth of consideration among the best. Join Matt & David as they take a deep dive on this exciting new offering. They also...

In this final episode of 2022, Andrea Myers gets to share her picks for the best shoes of the year! Tune in to hear her picks for daily trainer, max cushion, racing shoes, and more–and even a section devoted to her beloved New Balance Beacon. What each person seeks in a daily can be totally different from the next depending on their running rotation. In this year's Best Of, we decided to NOT have...

We're back with Part 2 of our Best Shoes of 2022. We've tested over 140 shoes in 2022 (!!!) and we're excited to share our favorites of 2022. In this second edition, we're diving into the fast stuff: racing shoes (both short & long distance) and performance trainers. We also cover some of the shoes that disappointed in 2022 and wrap things up with our thoughts on what brands stood out this yea...

It's that time of year! We've tested over 140 shoes in 2022 (!!!) and we're excited to share our favorites of 2022. Over the next two episodes, Matt, David, and Nathan will share their picks for best shoes that came out in 2022. In Part 1, we're starting with our picks for Daily Trainers, Max Cushion, Stable Neutral, Stability and Trail. What each person seeks in a daily can be totally different f...

Cycling is one of the best ways for runners to maintain fitness while unable to run or to cross-train while fit, but the barrier of entry can often seem high. What kind of bike do you need? What about pedals and shoes? How do you translate running training to the bike? Our resident cyclist Andrea Myers sits down with recent bike convert and DOR Contributor Megan Flynn to give you the basics to bik...

On a shorter "shakeout" episode today, Matt is taking us back to the basics. He breaks down the basic elements of a running shoe. Defining parts of the upper, midsole, and outsole that we occasionally overlook. Ever wondered what terms like heel counter, rocker, or sidewalls mean? Start here! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:44 - The upper 8:57 - The midsole 17:01 - The outsole 20:50 - Wrap-up

"Super trainers" are the latest trend in shoe design: a next-generation foam, a midsole height of over 40mm, and a stiff rocker (with or without a plate). These new shoes can be a ton of fun to run in with huge amounts of cushioning and energy return. However, they come with hefty price tags and unknown effects on running biomechanics. Matt & David explore this new category of shoes, specifica...

Running, especially training and racing hard, introduces large amounts of load & stress on your muscles and bodily systems. There are times that altering or reducing your training load can be critical to preventing serious injury. This is especially the case when recovering after a goal race (specifically the marathon), fighting off the beginning pain or niggles, or when returning from an inju...

You've got your race booked, so now comes the tough decision: what shoe do you wear on race day? With all the super shoes out there now, it can be a challenge to decide which one will be best for you when you toe the starting line. Two of the most important factors are race distance and course. What types of shoes are best for 5K/10K versus half marathon and marathon? What about hills, tight turns...

Shin splints is one of the most common running injuries, but also one of the most commonly misunderstood. When people report having shin splints, the cause of the pain could be any number of things. Today on the podcast, Nate, Matt, and David discuss the truth behind shin splints. That lower leg pain could possibly be a stress fracture, medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or something else entir...

Bonus "shakeout" episode! Super shoes with next generation foams and carbon plates aren't just made for racing anymore. Almost every running shoe company has come out with a plated, super-foamed training companion to their racing shoes. It's tempting to try the latest and greatest, but doing so comes with some risks. Matt will give you a quick guide on how to prepare & strengthen your body to...

New Balance has put out a ton of great shoes in 2022, so let Matt & Andrea take you through a round-up! They picked four of their favorites: the super-stack SC Trainer, More v4, Rebel v3, and the brand new SC Pacer. They break down what makes each shoe unique and how they've fit into their personal rotations. They also take a look at what New Balance has coming down the line later this year and in...

In this episode, Matt and Andrea talk all about the art and science of running after 40. They dig into research and their experience working with Masters runners, and provide insight on how to what older runners can do to maintain their running prowess. They cover strategies and tips for strength training, nutrition, workouts, recovery, and more. The Subjective : what's changed in your running as...

Looking for your first running shoe can be intimidating with so many options avilable, and sometimes it can be hard to find the help you need at a running store. DOR Founder Matt Klein takes from his years of experience working in running stores to give you tips & tricks to finding your first pairs of runnign shoes. He'll also share some red flags and warning signs to avoid when shopping for s...

Heel counters are often overlooked when choosing a shoe, but their design can make or break a shoe for runners. Heel comfort is critical to the ability to run in a shoe. They're also often touted to promote stability and biomechanical benefits, but what do they actually accomplish? Nate, DJ, and Matt dive into the design, research, and evidence surrounding heel counters. We're also excited to give...

It's time for a mailbag episode! We gathered up as many of your questions as we could answer in an hour's time. Nate, Matt, and DJ tackle a broad range of subjects such as orthotics, training, recovery, and, of course, shoes. Be sure to stick around 'til the end to get DJ's take on the best shoe for a beer mile. The Subjective : what's the biggest lesson you've learned from running? Chapters 0:00...

Finding the right shoe, whether it's your first or your fifth, can be daunting. Matt & Andrea are joined by Megan Searfoss, owner of Ridgefield and Darien Running Company , to give a store-owner's perspective on finding the best shoe for you. Megan also shares wisdom from years of running experience and dozens of races including Ironmans and marathons. Megan Searfoss is the owner of Ridgefield...