Doctors of Running Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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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

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

It's time for the second part of our favorite shoes of 2024 so far! David and Andrea join in with their picks for daily trainer, performance trainer, and racing shoes of the year to date. They also pick their favorite 2023 models that are on sale at a discount. Let us know what you've loved this year! DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected].

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:20 - Favorite daily trainer
• 15:18 - Favorite performance trainer
• 24:34 - Favorite racing shoes
• 44:11 - Favorite 2023 shoe that's on sale
• 51:18 - Wrap-up

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 shoes.

This week's sponsor is Running Warehouse, and they've got some really great apparel in to get you ready for anything, whether it's raceday or cool weather running. We are huge fans of rabbit running gear. We talk about it all the time in our chats about how soft and comfortable it is. If you are looking for Fall gear, rabbit's ez long sleeve is one of absolute favorites. We reviewed it two winter seasons ago and are still using it to this day because of how well they've held up and soft they remain. Head over to runningwarehouse.com to check out what they have.

The Subjective: what's something you wish you knew about running shoes earlier in your running journey?

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
3:28 - The Subjective: what's something you wish you knew about running shoes earlier in your running journey?
5:16 - Where to start as a new runner
8:39 - Start simple
14:43 - Using the RUNCAT to assess shoes
20:54 - Start with a basic daily trainer
23:53 - How to assess the fit of an upper
26:04 - Cushioning: more isn't necessarily better
28:50 - Foot tests aren't very useful
31:35 - Don't let a running store sell you an orthotic
33:56 - Don't let a running store diagnose your injuries
37:58 - Wrap-up

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 this month to Club West Track in Santa Barbara, CA.

The Subjective: what's a specific part of a shoe that can make it or break it for you?

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:56 - The Subjective: what's a specific part of a shoe that can make it or break it for you?
5:35 - Defining the heel counter
15:14 - The origin & purpose of heel counters
24:33 - The evidence of the effects on heel counters on biomechanics
31:51 - The importance of heel lockdown in carbon-plated shoes
38:38 - Physical conditions that might effect heel fit in shoes
45:24 - How to lace-lock your shoes
48:54 - Wrap-up

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 - Intro
6:13 - The Subjective: what's the biggest lesson you've learned from running?
9:02 - Do you need stability shoes if you wear orthotics?
16:02 - What do you do in between a goal race and the next training cycle?
28:48 - Saucony Tempus vs. Asics Novablast 3
33:22 - What's something similar to the Hoka Rincon 3?
37:52 - Is a firmer or a softer shoe better for shin splints?
41:32 - Does too much Zone 2 heart rate training make you slow?
51:45 - Should a 4 hour marathoner wear super shoes for a marathon?
57:38 - What's the ideal beer mile shoe?
1:01:41 - Wrap-up

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 and Darien Running Company, a run-specialty retailer, located in Ridgefield and Darien, CT. In 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, Ridgefield Running Company was named Top 50 Best Running Stores in America, with 2019 awarded Top Ten, and in 2020 a Top Four Store. A competitive athlete, Megan has competed at the Ironman World Championships and Boston Marathon, 9 Ironman distance events, over 20 marathons, and countless other races. Though her personal favorite are long-distance events, it is introducing a non-exerciser to training and competing in a 5K that is most rewarding. Time and time again, her encouragement to cross the finish line has changed lives of many women that didn't believe they could. Megan is passionate about engaging women to make health and wellness a part of their lives through Run Like a Mother, a company she founded in 2008. Run Like A Mother® is a branded lifestyle property that encompasses women at every stage of motherhood. Megan created the National Run Like a Mother® 5K race event series, a women's only 5K occurring every Mother's Day.

The Subjective: how did you get into running?

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
4:12 - Megan's background
13:46 - Megan's favorite races
17:26 - Advice for longevity in your running career
23:36 - The making of a great running store
27:42 - Using your "foot brain" in finding the right shoe for you
29:47 - Finding the right size shoe
32:52 - Replace your old shoes! (And sports bras)
36:28 - Advice for building back after injury
44:18 - The benefits of a running community
47:22 - How Megan trains her store employees
51:20 - How Megan decides what shoes to stock
1:03:40 - How customers can improve their shoe-buying experience
1:06:56 - Megan's favorite shoes right now
1:09:11 - Wrap-up

Injuries large & small plague almost every runner throughout their career. Detecting early signs of injury and stopping them before they turn into something serious will help us keep running consistently. Nate & Matt are joined by Brodie Sharpe, a fellow PT, who specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. They take a look at the nature of injury risk, how to reduce it, strategies & tools for rehabbing, and much more.

Brodie Sharpe is a Physiotherapist from Melbourne, Australia and the owner of the Run Smarter Physiotherapy Clinic. Brodie helps runners train smarter and dispels common running myths to help runners reduce their injury risk and overcome injuries efficiently. He spreads this information primarily through the Run Smarter Podcast which has climbed into the top 1% of podcasts globally, and his recent YouTube channel.

The Subjective: what are some of the early signs you look for when determining if you have an injury coming?

Chapters
00:00 - Intro
02:01 - Introducing Brodie Sharpe
06:08 - The basics of running injuries
15:40 - What puts runners at high injury risk?
19:26 - Early signs of injuries in runners
24:33 - Strategies for assessing the severity of & recovery from injuries
28:55 - What to do when injury symptoms start
39:07 - Differentiating between small niggles and full injuries
44:26 - The benefits of keeping a running journal
50:40 - Modifying routines while rehabbing an injury
53:30 - 3 Key ways to reduce injury risk
57:30 - Wrap-up

These days, max cushion midsoles aren't just for racing shoes. Maximally cushioned trainers are a staple in many runners' rotations. Today, Matt & DJ review two max-stack offerings, one a veteran to the scene and the other a newcomer. First up is the HOKA Bondi 8, the latest update to one of the original max cushion shoes. Next is Mizuno's Wave NEO Ultra, which offers not only maximum cushioning, but sustainability with over 50% of the materials used made from sustainable or recycled materials. They compare/contrast this two cushioned shoes and explore whether a sustainable shoe can offer real running performance.

The Subjective: what's your favorite easy day shoe?

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:20 - The Subjective: what's your favorite max-cushion training shoe?
7:03 - Hoka Bondi 8 Review
18:30 - What would you change about the Bondi 8?
22:16 - Mizuno Wave NEO Ultra Review
27:36 - Sustainability vs. performance
32:57 - Bondi 8 & NEO Ultra comparisons
42:10 - Wrap-up

We know from the research that running isn't bad for our knees, but that doesn't mean we won't pick up knee injuries every once in a while. Patellar Tendinopathy is one of the most common ailments for runners. The knee is critical in the gait cycle, so is easily effected. Nate, Matt, and DJ discuss chronic tendon pain in the knee: its anatomy, symptoms, and risk factors. They give you tips for rehabbing the patellar tendon so you can get back to running consistently. Finally, of course, they cover what types of shoes can influence the tendon.

The Subjective: what's your favorite easy day shoe?

With Fall coming up, that mean's two things: it's marathon racing season! And well - it's Fall. This week's sponsor is Running Warehouse, and they've got some really great apparel in to get you ready for anything, whether it's raceday or cool weather running.

We are huge fans of rabbit running gear. We talk about it all the time in our chats about how soft and comfortable it is. For Chicago marathon fans, you should absolutely check out their fun Chicago Collection. The colors look awesome with the red, light blue and white and our team are superfans of their singlets. If you are looking for Fall gear, rabbit's ez long sleeve is one of absolute favorites. We reviewed it two winter seasons ago and are still using it to this day because of how well they've held up and soft they remain.

You can also find tons of great new releases including the Asics Magic Speed, Kayano 29 which we just reviewed, and the Fresh Foam More v4 which we are reviewing now and have enjoyed. Head over to runningwarehouse.com today to shop. You can find a link in our description for some of our favorite gear if you'd like to check that out and support DOR.

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:48 - The Subjective: what's your favorite easy day shoe?
15:02 - Patellar Tendinopathy: anatomy review
20:10 - Tendinitis vs. Tendinopathy
22:05 - Diagnosing patellar tendinopathy
26:27 - Risk factors
36:00 - Rehabbing patellar tendinopathy: load it
49:32 - Things to avoid when recovering from tendinopathy
53:00 - Knees over toes?
55:58 - The impact of shoes on the patellar tendon
1:00:28 - Wrap-up