
Doctors of Running Podcast
We are Doctors of Running, a group of doctors of physical therapy all working to provide you all with information about the art and science of running and what we are putting on our feet. In this podcast we will be giving evidence-based deep dives into running related topics as well as detailed running shoe reviews. You can also check us out at our website -- doctorsofrunning.com, and on social media @doctorsofrunning
To help us continue to produce content for you all, consider joining our support team: https://anchor.fm/doctors-of-running/support
Latest episodes

Jul 20, 2022 • 50min
#97 All of Your Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Questions Answered
Today Nate & Matt review the much-anticipated Saucony Endorphin Speed 3! The new version is, in our opinion, better than ever, boasting a wider platform, more stability, and the same bouncy PWRRUN PB midsole foam. They also tackle a bunch of listener questions about the Speed 3 including: how soft is it? How's the heel stability? How does it compare with the new Saucony Tempus?
This episode sponsored by Karhu. You might know they make a collection of running shoes, but for before or after the run, you can be sure to look good with Karhu's Lifestyle collection. They've recently released fresh seasonal colors to ensure you're stylin' going to and from the track. Go to Karhu.com and use promo code DOR2022 at the time of checkout to receive 20% off from the lifestyle assortment when you purchase $100 or more.
The Subjective: What makes a shoe soft for you?
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
0:54 - The Subjective: What makes a shoe soft for you?
09:40 - Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Review
14:11 - Is the Speed 3 softer? How does it perform at slower paces?
18:00 - How stable is the Speed 3?
28:16 - How does the bounce of the Speed 3 compare to the Rebel V2 and Novablast?
31:51 - Why is stability important to us?
36:38 - How does the Speed 3 compare with the Tempus?
39:55 - Is there anything for the next version of the Speed to improve on?
44:43 - Do we measure the durometer of midsoles?
47:59 - Wrap-up

Jul 13, 2022 • 1h 7min
#96 Testing the Performance Benefit of Super Shoes (ft. Saucony’s Cory Hofmann)
Nate, Matt, and DJ are joined Cory Hofmann from Saucony for a deep dive into the world of shoe testing. Cory gives us an inside look at how Saucony tests the biomechanical and physiological impact of their shoes on runners. He also helps us define some oft-misunderstood scientific terms like running power, metabolic cost, running economy, VO2 Max, and more.
Cory Hofmann is a Performance Engineer at Saucony research laboratory, testing almost every aspect of their shoe: fit, durability, mechanical properties, etc. Cory specializes in testing and measuring running shoe performance, focusing on biomechanics and physiology.
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
06:07 - How do you measure the benefit you get from different shoes?
13:04 - Mechanical vs. metabolic power
24:27 - How do we measure metabolic cost?
27:51 - What to make of smartwatches giving you your VO2
31:11 - Oxygen vs. energy
39:56 - Research into running cost
44:26 - Biomechanical trends in relation to running economy
49:34 - The relationship between running economy and performance
53:22 - The components of shoes that contribute to performance benefits
58:57 - Our thoughts on the Endorphin Pro 3
1:02:36 - Wrap-up

Jul 6, 2022 • 1h 7min
#95 The Science of Footwear Design (ft. Saucony’s Andrea Paulson)
Matt is joined on the podcast by a special guest: Andrea Paulson from Saucony. Andrea gives us an inside look into shoe research and development at Saucony. Matt & Andrea discuss the shifting views on shoe stability and how new shoes like the Saucony Tempus are looking to help the runner. She gives a scientific history of misole foams and a preview of where innvation is taking them, and much more.
Andrea Paulson is the Vice President of Product Engineering & Human Performance at Saucony. She leads different, yet connected, divisions that work on every aspect of shoe design, construction and future innovations, as well as biomechanical testing, gathering performance & personal preference data.
The Subjective: What stats do you focus on when selecting a shoe?
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
3:59 - Defining shoe stability and how it's changing
7:49 - New ways of addressing stability with the Saucony Tempus
12:04 - Midsole foam history & development
26:58 - Accounting for individuality in shoe design
33:50 - Foam science & innovation
41:36 - The complexity of shoe design & supply chain
45:24 - Does footstrike really matter?
49:12 - Foam compression durability
55:14 - Endorphin Pro 3 sneak peak
57:46 - Wrap-up

Jun 29, 2022 • 57min
#94 Surviving the Summer: Training & Hydration Strategies for the Heat
Today on the podcast Matt and Andrea talk all things summer training. As the temperature increases, we're forced to adjust our running. They offer strategies and tips for adjusting your training, hydrating before/during/after the run, staying cool, and, of course, shoes (does the Asics Metaracer have a USB port?!).
Each month at DOR starting in 2022, a member of our team selects a charity of their choice to donate 10% of our monthly profits to. This month we're donating to Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is a program that was developed to help young girls recognize their strengths, learn goal setting, build social connection, all while building confidence. Through the program, they learn how teamwork can help in achieving a goal and work toward completing a 5k together at the end of the season. To learn more and donate visit www.girlsontherun.org.
The Subjective: What time of day do you run?
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - DOR Giving: Girls on the Run
2:24 - The Subjective: What time of the day do you run?
5:17 - Summer training: temperature vs. dew point
11:29 - Modifying your training for the heat
19:01 - Hydration strategies
25:44 - Cooling strategies
33:32 - Shoe uppers & breathability
42:58 - Staying safe from sun damage
54:41 - Wrap-up

Jun 22, 2022 • 54min
#93 Shan Riggs & Joshuaine Grant's 3000 Mile Journey Through the East Coast Greenway
Today Andrea and Matt are joined by two very special guests: Shan Riggs and Joshuaine Grant. On April 16th, 2022, Shan started to run more than 3,000 miles across America again, this time from Key West to the Canadian border along the East Coast Greenway, hoping to be the first person to run the entire trail. The journey is unique in that Shan will be supported the entire route by his partner Joshuaine, who will be towing all of their supplies by bicycle. This run/ride is to support & raise funds for the East Coast Greenway in its mission of connecting people to place. Along the way they'll cross 15 states averaging 40 miles per day, every day. We hear from Shan & Josh about what it takes to take on such an epic trek: training, supplies, nutrition, and, of course, shoes. To learn more & donate, check out their website.
The Subjective: How many days per week do you run?
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:05 - The Subjective: How many days per week do you run?
1:30 - Shan & Josh's trip up the East Coast Greenway
5:53 - Shan & Josh's background and training
13:53 - Supplying and organizing their trek
21:47 - Surprises & challenges along the way
24:40 - Injury prevention & pain management while ultra-running
33:50 - How do you fuel yourself on a 3000 mile journey?
43:36 - The most memorable parts of their trip
47:17 - What's next on their journey
49:44 - Advice for anyone interested in ultra-running
52:15 - Wrap-up

Jun 15, 2022 • 1h 12min
#92 The Truth About Runner's Knee (plus Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 Review)
Runner's Knee (also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome) is one of the most common running injuries among new runners. It's so prevalent, yet so misunderstood. In this episode, Nate & Matt take a deep dive into the symptoms, anatomy, and mechanics of Runner's Knee, and they explore what makes it such a complicated, hard-to-diagnose injury. They also review Mizuno's latest update to the Wave Horizon 6, their premium stability trainer featuring a new Enerzy Core in the midsole.
This episode sponsored by Karhu. You might know they make a collection of running shoes, but for before or after the run, you can be sure to look good with Karhu's Lifestyle collection. They've recently released fresh seasonal colors to ensure you're stylin' going to and from the track. Go to Karhu.com and use promo code DOR2022 at the time of checkout to receive 20% off from the lifestyle assortment when you purchase $100 or more.
The Subjective: How light/heavy do you like your daily trainers? How important is weight to you?
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:38 - The Subjective: How light/heavy do you like your daily trainers? How important is weight to you?
4:30 - Shoe Review: Mizuno Wave Horizon 6
21:02 - Is the Wave Horizon worth it at $170?
24:54 - Wave Horizon comparisons
29:20 - Who is this shoe for?
40:10 - What is Runner's Knee?
47:40 - The anatomy & mechanics of patellofemoral pain
1:01:21 - The role of muscular activation in treating Runner's Knee
1:10:00 - Wrap-up

Jun 8, 2022 • 1h 18min
#91 Common Running Form Mistakes and a Look at New Balance's Streakfly/Takumi Sen Competitor
Runners are constantly looking to refine and improve their form. Today, Nate, Matt, DJ, and Andrea give you some advice on how to avoid common running form mistakes. You'll learn about the role of hip extension the running gait cycle, how to measure and gain hip extension, and it's impact on shoe choice. They also review New Balance's entry into the 5K/10K racing shoe market, the SC Pacer. This racing flat features a full FuelCell foam midsole and a full-length carbon plate. How does it compare to the Nike Streakfly and the Takumi Sen 8? Have a listen!
The Subjective: What's your performance trainer/workout shoe?
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:12 - The Subjective: What's your performance trainer/workout shoe?
2:35 - New Balance SC Pacer Review
20:35 - Motor planning and its effects on shoe preference
29:23 - New Balance's Energy Arc and the effects of plate shape
33:55 - Hip extension and its placement in the running cycle
41:22 - Commonly problematic form cues
49:10 - Measuring hip extension and why runners might be lacking it
59:19 - What happens if you lack hip extension
1:05:24 - Strategies for gaining hip extension
1:10:00 - The intersection between shoe types and hip extension
1:16:50 - Wrap up
1:17:42 - Bonus track

Jun 1, 2022 • 1h 10min
#90 Strength Training 101 for Runners and a Look at Topo’s New PEBAX Powered Trainer
Our very own Dr. David Salas is a certified strength & conditioning specialist (CSCS). In today's episode DJ & Nate give runners a host of information about the benefit of strength training for runnres, how to get started, common pitfalls and more. They also take a look at an exciting new performance trainer from Topo: the Specter. It features a PEBAX-based midsole, surrounded by an EVA rim for some guidance. The result is an exciting, unique uptempo shoe with the potential to shake up the market!
We are excited to have this episode sponsored by Karhu. You might know they make a collection of running shoes, but for before or after the run, you can be sure to look good with Karhu's Lifestyle collection. They've recently released fresh seasonal colors to ensure you're stylin' going to and from the track. Go to Karhu.com and use promo code DOR2022 at the time of checkout to receive 20% off from the lifestyle assortment when you purchase $100 or more.
The Subjective: What's your favorite summer running gear?
Chapters
0:00 - Intro & DOR Giving
4:38 - The Subjective: What's your favorite summer running gear?
5:54 - Topo Specter Review
27:30 - What a CSCS is
33:36 - How runners should be strength training
43:36 - Common pitfalls for runners starting with weight training
56:32 - How to get started with strength training at home
1:06:10 - Wrap-up & further resources

May 25, 2022 • 1h 14min
#89 Flexible vs. Rigid Forefoots with Kofuzi!
Matt and DJ are joined by a very special guest, Michael Ko (aka Kofuzi)! Kofuzi tells us about his background and the growth of his YouTube channel. They take a look at his journey to 100,000 subscribers and what's next for his channel. Finally, they investigate the effects of a flexible or rigid forefoot-the biomechanics implications and what type of runner may want each kind of shoe.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Running Warehouse! Right now there are Memorial Day promotions going on with discounts on many types of products through the end of May. Make sure you check it out. Also, coming soon, Running Warehouse will have the ASICS METASPEED SKY+ and EDGE+ in stock on June 1. We will be testing and putting out full reviews on these models soon!
The Subjective: Do you prefer a flexible or rigid forefoot? Why, and for what purposes?
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:29 - The Subjective: Do you prefer a flexible or rigid forefoot? Why, and for what purposes?
1:42 - Introducing Kofuzi
9:32 - The significance of 100K YouTube subscribers
19:53 - The state of running culture & media coverage
31:05 - Kofuzi's goals and vision for his channel
40:42 - The basics of the forefoot of shoes
44:51 - How shoe design impacts forefoot flexibility or rigidity
47:13 - The impact of plates on forefoot rigidity
51:08 - The benefits of a flexible or rigid forefoot
1:06:51 - Midsole nostalgia: adapting to midsole changes over time
1:13:17 - Wrap-up

May 18, 2022 • 1h 17min
#88 The Value of Full Body Running Evaluations, and a Review of the ASICS Glideride 3
Nate, DJ, and Matt explore the value of getting a full body running evaluation from a clinician. They explain how they go about evaluating runners in their own practices at physical therapists. They also take a look at common muscular, skeletal, and mobility weaknesses or restrictions in runners and how to address them. Before that, they review ASICS's brand new GLIDERIDE 3, which features their new FF Blast+ compound, giving a softer, more natural ride.
We are excited to have this episode sponsored by Karhu. You might know they make a collection of running shoes, but for before or after the run, you can be sure to look good with Karhu's Lifestyle collection. They've recently released fresh seasonal colors to ensure you're stylin' going to and from the track. Go to Karhu.com and use promo code DOR2022 at the time of checkout to receive 20% off from the lifestyle assortment when you purchase $100 or more.
The Subjective: What's your current favorite midsole foam?
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
1:20 - The Subjective: Have you ever had a full body running evaluation?
1:50 - ASICS GLIDERIDE 3 Review - Upper
6:56 - ASICS GLIDERIDE 3 - Midsole & Ride
23:34 - Who this shoe may work for
35:08 - Overview of full body running evaluations
43:59 - Common muscular weaknesses in runners
59:28 - Common mobility restrictions in runners
1:03:20 - Testing parameters in running evaluations
1:09:32 - The importance of running evaluations
1:16:14 - Wrap-up