Heart health is complicated and can be scary, even for runners. Andrea is joined by Dr. Tamanna Singh, MD to unravel the mysteries of cardiac health for endurance athletes. They discuss the biological benefits that running provides the heart, and how we as runners can expect our hearts to change as we train. Dr. Singh gives advice on what to do if you start experiencing cardiac issues, and how to find the right physician for your unique needs as an athlete. Tamanna Singh, MD, is a clinical...

The majority of runners will get injured every year, and the first question we often find ourselves asking is, "how long until I can run again?" In this episode, Matt & Nathan broadly explore the healing timeframes for a variety of common injury types. They give an insight into what's happening at a cellular level when we get injured and then heal over time. Then they dive into how long it takes common tissue types (muscles, tendons, bones) to heal from differing severities of injuries....

If you've been a follow of Doctors of Running for a while, you know we like discussing stability in our shoes. As we've talked about at length, stability is not a monolithic term, but something that will vary between shoes and runners; everyone's experience of a shoe's stability will be different. On this episode, Matt and David rank ten different shoes from least to most stable. You'll get an inside look at how they judge the stability of different shoes. Have you run in any of these shoes?...

Mailbag show means it's all about your questions. At DOR we love hearing from you! On this episode, Nathan and David tackle your shoe, training, and injury questions. They take a look at comparing daily trainers and super shoes. They give some tips on how to taper for different lengths of races, and explore strength-training and injuries like proximal hamstring tendinopathy and hip impingements. We're always open to questions, so send us emails at...

Bone injuries such as stress reactions and fractures plague many a runner. It's often a challenge to find their source and rehab can be long. Matt is joined by Rich Willy to discuss his research and work in bone health and injuries in runner (particularly ultra-runners). Rich's insights will help you better understand the cause of common bone stress in the foot, lower or upper leg, hip, etc. He and Matt discuss the critical role food and fueling play in our bone health. Rich also gives some...

Andrea & Megan host a fun Q&A episode–This or That? They take your this-or-that questions and help you find the answers! Stiff or flexible shoes for sprinting? Foam rolling or massage guns for recovery? Liquid nutrition or gels for fuel? Not to mention, of course, a bevy of shoe comparisons. And, because it's an Andrea episode, a New Balance Beacon question. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 7:57 - Stiff or flexible shoes for sprinters? 11:52 - Propel v4 vs. SC Trainer 2 vs. Rebel v3 ...

Get ready for our second installment of Buy or Sell where we debate news, trends, and topics in the running world. Nate, Matt, and David argue shoes and recovery. Are super shoes the reason for all the broken world records? Is a pair of $500 worth it? How do foam rolling and strength training contribute to injury prevention? Things get heated on this one! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 5:00 - Buy or sell: Shoes are a major contributor to all the broken world records 18:13 - Foam rolling and...

This episode is a special double-feature from David and Matt. First off, David give you some advice on building a two, three, and four shoe rotation for both the road and the trail. He'll help you answer questions like: What kind of shoe do I start with? What should I use for my faster workouts? When do I need a racing shoe? Whether you (or a friend) are new to the world of running shoes or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your approach, David's tips are sure to help. Then, Matt gives...

Time for another mailbag show. You asked, and we answered. On this episode, Nathan and Matt field listener questions about shoes, biomechanics, and more. Tune in for a couple shoe comparisons: the Boston 12 against several other similar options, and the Endorphin Elite vs. the Vaporfly 3. They also take a look at stability & asymmetry in running mechanics, the latest research on icing for recovery, "beginner" carbon-plate shoes, and even more. Be sure to stick around to the end where they...

This episode is all about that max stack. With almost every shoe coming in with a midsole thicker than 30mm, it's becoming hard to define what "maximal" even means, but Nathan, Matt, and David will give it a shot. They take a look at the research on maximal shoes and how it applies to today's offerings. They also argue about what shoes even count as max-stack trainers these days (and what about once you get above 40mm?). They also explore the impact of today's shoes' large amount of...

The internet provides us with an endless amount of information about running, but between websites, social media, online magazines, and more, how do we sift through to find what's legitimate? On this episode, Andrea and Nathan are joined by journalist and influencer Ashley Mateo to talk all things running media and coaching. They take a look at the state of journalism and how it's changed over the years, vetting sources and influencers on social media, the future of AI, and more. Ashley's...

Bloodwork, vitamin levels, and other biomarkers can be confusing, so on this episode Andrea is joined by Dr. Liz Herman, ND and Dr. Jared Pistoia, ND to break down the science of our blood. They explore how getting our bloodwork done as athletes can differ from the average person. They take a look at creatine kinase, blood glucose, anemia and more. They also dive into the critical role of vitamins (D, B12) and minerals like iron and calcium. Finally, they discuss the differing hormone changes...

This episode is all about the hamstrings. Often a source of pain and frustration for many a runner, Nathan & David take a deep dive on one of the most important muscle groups in the running cycle. After an overview of the anatomy and common injuries of the hamstrings, they answer your questions covering subjects such as proximal hamstring tendinopathy, the effect of zero drop and carbon plated shoes, stretching, and more. Finally they offer strategies to avoid injury and maintain strong,...

On today's episode, Matt is joined by Dr. Jeff Moreno, physical therapist and co-founder of DashLX. DashLX is pioneering how running activity data can be gathered and analyzed to enhance the training and overall well-being of athletes. Jeff has a unique opportunity to work not only with individual athletes, many of them among the elites, but also directly with some of the biggest running brands on the scene (Brooks, Saucony, Puma, and more). Matt & Jeff discuss how running data from our...

This 150th episode of the DOR Podcast is a special combo! First off Andrea shares her top 5 shoes of the year so far. She wasn't able to join the rest of the crew and Connor a few weeks ago, but we knew the people needed to hear from her. How has our resident New Balance Beacon devotee survived the disappearance of her favorite daily trainer? What's her choice when she toes the starting line of races later this year? Tune in to find out. In part two, Matt gives an inside look into his...

This episode is all about the back! Andrea is joined by Dr. Jeanne Halloran to take a deep dive into scoliosis and its effects on athletes. They explore the pathology and symptoms of scoliosis, the structure of the back and how it influences running mechanics, strategies and exercises to improve rib and spine mobility and more. Jeanne also lends us her expertise in Schroth therapy. The Schroth Method is a conservative treatment option for scoliosis–a curve specific exercise method that was...

Time for more listener questions! Nathan and David dig into the mailbag to answer your questions. They take a look at two new "super trainers": the Hoka Mach X and the Saucony Kinvara Pro. They lend their expertise on rehabbing from Achilles tendinopathy and how shoes might impact it. They give some practical advice on making sure you're getting enough protein in your diet to stay fueled and strong, and even more. Be sure to listen til the end to hear David get put on the hot seat for his...

We're more than halfway through 2023, so it's time for some mid-season awards! David, Matt, and Nathan are joined by a very special guest: Connor Blalock of Running Warehouse fame. Not only does Connor, and the rest of the team, give their top five shoes of the year so far, but he gives an insight into working for one of the biggest running retailers. Learn about what it's like to interact with shoe companies and test & review more shoes than just about anyone else. Be sure to let us know...

In this episode, Nathan and Matt are joined by special guests Andrea Paulson and Cory Hoffman from Saucony, to discuss two of their newest and most exciting shoes: the Endorphin Elite and Kinvara Pro. Together, they explore the intricate process of developing and testing midsole foams. Get a behind the scenes look at the development of PWRRUN HG and the unique geometry of the Endorphin Elite. Learn the origin story of the Kinvara Pro, a brand new dual-density, plated "super" trainer. They...

Andrea is joined by esteemed guest Shannon Thompson, a mental performance consultant and expert in psychological performance training. Together, they dive deep into the mental aspects of running, offering invaluable insights and practical strategies to enhance your performance and manage anxiety. Discover the power of mantras and phrases as Andrea and Shannon discuss their personal favorites for overcoming challenges during races and training. Learn how positive self-talk can fuel your...

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at running shoe design and production. Matt & Nathan are joined by special guest Richard Kuchinsky, founder of Directive Collective and an expert in footwear design and development. They explore an array of topics–from defining industrial design and the significance of consultants in the footwear industry to Richard's proudest project with The Directive Collective, this is an inside look at the shoe design process from initial sketches to the...

Think of this episode like a game show/quiz: buy or sell? Nate, David, and Matt take a look at a bunch of different trends in the running shoe world and ask whether they would buy or sell each of them. Are mega-stack trainers worth it? Should EVA be kicked to the curb? Should we train in plated trainers and/or super shoes? What's the point of the new crop of short-distance racing shoes? Tune in for our takes on all of these and more! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 05:34 - Buy or Sell: shoes with...

On this episode of the Doctors of Running Podcast we delve into the world of high school and collegiate runners, covering a variety of topics to enhance performance and long-term health. Reflecting on their own experiences, Nathan, David, Andrea, and Matt share valuable running advice they would give their younger selves. Leaning on their clinical experiences and the scientific literature, they then shed light on the risks of early sports specialization and advocate for sports variability,...

This episode is all about sleep! Getting healthy sleep is the biggest performance enhancer out there (yes, even more than super shoes). Nate and Matt are joined Dr. Ryan Wooderson to talk all things sleep. They explore fundamental issues like the physiology of sleep, what "enough" sleep is, and how to adjust after a bad night of sleep. Ryan also gives tips on how to set yourself up for a good night's sleep, optimize your recovery, and more. Dr. Ryan Wooderson is a physical therapist,...

This episode is all about your questions! Matt & David host another Q&A show. Your questions take them all over the place, from stable neutral shoes, building a shoe rotation, running during pregnancy, recovering from an ankle sprain and more! Be sure to stick around for Matt's final, completely absurd question. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 6:20 - What are your favorite stable neutral shoes? 9:47 - Which shoes are best suited for treadmils? Soft tracks? 18:08 - What should you look...