Doctors of Running Podcast

Time for a little DOR myth busting! Nathan, David, and Matt team up to take a look at some user-submitted running "truths", to shed some light on whether they're fact or fiction. Does your cadence need to be at least 180spm? Is it ok to run in super shoes if you're "slow"? How much cushion is too much? We'd love to do more of these, so hit us up with your running myths at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DOCTORS10 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:14 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs13:14 - Fact or Fiction? If you need orthotics once, you need them forever25:00 - Most runs should be Zone 2 + 80/20 training33:14 - Running cadence should be at least 180 steps per minute38:50 - More cushion is better44:04 - Running is bad for your knees51:04 - Barefoot shoes cause injuries57:30 - Super shoes don't work for slower runners1:03:08 - Soft surfaces reduce injury risk1:09:30 - All shoes can be trail shoes if you try hard enough1:12:48 - 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 doctorsofrunning@gmail.com.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.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:48 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs16:26 - Advice for running degenerative joint disease and arthritis25:00 - Good shoes for wet/muddy parkruns30:34 - Does toe spring effect hyper extension?40:06 - Brannock size vs. running shoe size44:46 - Non-plated speed shoes49:14 - Advice for children dealing with Sever's Disease54:26 - Shoe options for training with a neuroma1:00:46 - 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:32 - Karin's background & research6:30 - An overview of the anatomy of tendons10:40 - How the muscle, bone, & tendon work together when in movement14:18 - How to analyze how ready the calf complex is for running21:18 - They physiology of tendon pain24:46 - Risk factors for tendon injuries27:24 - Rehabbing tendon pain31:08 - Why heavy loading rebuilds tendons36:38 - Timelines for tendon healing38:32 - The results of Karin's latest research48:52 - How useful is shockwave therapy?54:24 - The role of shoes in achilles tendon pain59:28 - The effect of consistent super shoe use on tendon health1:08:54 - Wrap-up

As we continue our in-depth looks at upcoming 2026 shoes with different brands, David is joined by Luca Ciccone, Cory Hoffman, and Katie Pyle of Saucony, who's coming up big in 2026 with updates and new releases. The Endorphin line gets a new member with the Azura, a plateless PWRRUN PB trainer, and updates to the Endorphin Pro and Elite. Looking for max cushion? The Triumph and Hurricane are getting big updates, and they'll be joined by the new Paramount Max. Listen in to hear about even more of what they have coming next year.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:50 - Endorphin Azura8:20 - Endorphin Pro 514:42 - Endorphin Elite 320:56 - Paramount Max29:32 - Triumph 2435:02 - Hurricane 2641:40 - Updates to the Ride & Guide44:54 - A breakdown of all of Saucony’s foams50:38 - Wrap-up

With 2026 right around the corner, we've got a series of conversations with running brand to take a deep dive on the shoes they've got coming up next year. Andrea is joined by Mizuno's Shunsuke Aoi, Global Product Line Manager to take a look at their brand new Hyperwarp line of racing shoes (Pure, Pro, and Elite). They also discuss what we can expect to see in the updates to the fan-favorite Neo Zen and Neo Vista models. Read our Hyperwarp Pure review here, and keep an eye out for reviews of the Elite & Pro models: https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2025/12/mizuno-hyperwarp-pure-review-2026.htmlGet your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:06 - An overview of Mizuno's new racing line6:42 - The development of the Hyperwarp line8:32 - Hyperwarp Pure11:26 - Hyperwarp Elite16:20 - Plate design23:20 - Hyperwarp Pro29:06 - The future of the Rebellion line30:42 - What's next for the Neo line38:28 - The future of the Wave Rider41:16 - What 2026 holds for Mizuno45:36 - Wrap-up

It's time for a mailbag round where we dig through our emails and DMs to answer your questions! Matt & David team up to tackle questions about heel drop, stable-neutral speed shoes, treadmill shoes, how they'd build a rotation, and more. Want your question answered on the next mailbag? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.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.comLEVER Movement⁠ is portable and effective body weight support systems. Our products, including the LEVER System that allow users to reduce their effective body weight during exercise ( from 0 to 45 pounds off). This reduction is achieved through our bungee system that redistribute a portion of the user’s body weight, making exercises less strenuous and more manageable. LEVER Movement is committed to revolutionizing the way you train and recover, providing you with the tools to achieve your fitness goals with greater confidence and reduced risk. Chapters0:00 - Intro1:32 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs8:40 - Is the stated heel drop the same no matter the size of the shoe?12:00 - Shoe suggestions with a heel rocker, but mild forefoot rocker17:30 - Shoe & exercise options for toe flexor pain22:48 - Toe numbness in Vomero Plus26:30 - Book recommendations30:08 - Wide options similar to the original Saucony Tempus36:16 - Choosing shoes for treadmill running39:46 - How would you build a 3, 2 or 1 shoe rotation?48:26 - Wrap-up

Matt is joined by a familiar face this week as Saucony’s Senior Performance Engineer Cory Hofmann joins for a discussion about super shoes. Matt and Cory debate whether this unique footwear is the cause of overuse injuries among runners in recent years. Hear what both sides have to say on this issue and let us know what you think in the comments or at doctorsofrunning@gmail.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.comLEVER Movement⁠ is portable and effective body weight support systems. Our products, including the LEVER System that allow users to reduce their effective body weight during exercise ( from 0 to 45 pounds off). This reduction is achieved through our bungee system that redistribute a portion of the user’s body weight, making exercises less strenuous and more manageable. LEVER Movement is committed to revolutionizing the way you train and recover, providing you with the tools to achieve your fitness goals with greater confidence and reduced risk. https://levermovement.comChapters0:00 - Intro4:11 - An overview of Cory's article on injury risk & running in super shoes6:35 - A 2023 study on bone-stress injuries when running in carbon-plated shoes12:49 - What is "advanced footwear technology"?18:57 - Does footwear influence stress injuries?24:19 - A study on foot movement while running in super shoes30:45 - How can we summarize the injury effect of super shoes?39:33 - How do super shoes impact training load?49:10 - How can we be cautious not to overtrain?53:43 - Can we train all the time in super shoes?1:01:19 - Wrap-up