Doctors of Running Podcast

Today Nate and DJ are joined by two very special guests from PUMA: Todd Falker (Senior Product Line Manager) and Laura Healey  (Manager, Footwear Innovation). They give us an inside look at how PUMA came out of nowhere with a great lineup of shoes in 2021 and what updates they have planned for 2022 and beyond. We also look at the development at two brand new shoes, the FAST-R and the RUN XX coming later this year and dig a bit into the biomechanical and tester feedback approach that PUMA is taking within their development. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 1:18 - The Subjective: what's your favorite PUMA running shoe? 4:18 - Introducing Todd & Laura 10:40 - PUMA's lineup: a recap of 2021 and a look at updates 20:56 - The FAST-R 35:16 - The RUN XX: a women's-specific shoe 45:32 - Looking forward: Puma's upcoming projects and goals 52:00 - Wrap-up

Today at the roundtable Nate, Matt, and David discuss the tibialis posterior, including its role in the gait cycle, how it can get irritated or injured, and what shoes may be best for dealing with tib post pain. They also take an in depth look at Saucony's latest refresh of the cult classic Kinvara, version 13. Also, at the end of the month we'll feature a new DOR giving initiative. For February it's City On a Hill in Milwaukee, WI. Chapters Intro DOR Giving: City On a Hill - 1:10 The Subjective: Biggest running goals for 2022 - 3:52 Tibialis Posterior Pain: anatomy and causes - 10:22 Best Shoes for Tibialis Posterior pain - 25:38 Saucony Kinvara 13 Review - 33:20 Saucony Kinvara 13 Comparisons - 44:26 Closing - 57:02

Today Nate and Matt take a deep dive into rocker soles in running shoes. What exactly is a rocker sole? What's the role of toe spring in a shoe? Who may benefit from a rockered sole and who may not? Afterwards we discuss what to do when presented with conflicting evidence and how to sift through the vast amount of information and research available. Finally, Matt gives his review of the XTEP RC 260. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:26 - The Subjective: what's your favorite Winter Olympics event? 6:56 - Rocker Soles: definitions and biomechanical implications 23:20 - What shoes have the best integrated forefoot rockers? 28:50 - Who may benefit from rocker soles? 36:27 - Who may not benefit from rocker soles? 40:56 - Research: what we do with conflicting evidence 48:59 - XTEP X 260 Review

Today at the roundtable we discuss the continually blurring lines between different categories of running shoes: namely trainers, performance trainers, and racing shoes. We talk about whether performance trainers are even useful and if so, why? We then dive into Craft's new offerings: Ultra 2, Ultra Carbon 2, and Race Rebel. Chapters 0:00 - Intro/Big Favor 2:08 - The Subjective: favorite long distance racing shoe? 10:56 - Shoe Categories: where do we draw the lines and are they useful? 27:00 - What's the point of a performance trainer? 37:24 - Craft line-up reviews

In today's episode we revisit conversations that have been had regarding foam, namely discussing what changes foam leads to on the body and how long foam may last in a shoe. We then highlight our new guide on doctorsofrunning.com that helps people consider what to think about when purchasing their first pair of running shoes (or close to it). Embedded in those discussions are pearls of advice for preparing our bodies to run, what this sport demands of our bodies, and how we can be the smartest runners possible.  Find the guide here: https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2022/01/best-running-shoes-for-beginners.html Chapters: 00:00 Introduction/Who is DOR? 4:50 Listener Question: What’s your latest injury? 9:18 Foam properties, loading, impact force, stack height, and more 16:08 How long does foam last? 24:04 ON Cloudboom Echo first thoughts 27:42 Selecting shoes for the new runner 55:52 Wrap-up

Today on the roundtable we have the joy of talking about our second DOR Giving initiative. You'll learn more about the Life Rolls On foundation and the wonderful work they do. You can learn more and donate to their organization here: https://liferollson.org/. Next we talk about the art and science of uppers, and why they are one of the most overlooked pieces of shoe design. We give our picks for favorite uppers over the last year and why they worked for us in a variety of categories like daily trainer, racers, and trail. Then we discuss and review all of the early HOKA 2022 offerings: Carbon X3, Kawana, Tecton X, and Mach Supersonic. We discuss where some of these fell short, who they may work for, and where HOKA may need to go next. 

Today to the roundtable we welcome Stuart Jenkins, a seasoned innovator in the running shoe industry who has worked with independent inventors across brands, led Deckers' innovation team, and now has started BLUMAKA. We dive into what he has found makes innovation work and how companies can fail at innovation, all while considering his newest endeavor with BLUMAKA, which has a focus on high performing and sustainably produced product with foam created out of a majority of recycled material. Hear his initial takes on sustainability in the run shoe industry and things to consider as inventors and innovators.  To learn more about BLUMAKA, visit www.blumaka.com. For 20% off your first order, use promo code DOR20 (note that we do not receive a kickback for these purchases, it is simply a discount for our listeners). Listener discretion advised: please note that there is swearing in this episode of the Doctors of Running Virtual Roundtable.

We will be taking a break for 2-3 weeks on the Roundtable but will still be producing all our website content, so feel free to check that out at www.doctorsofrunning.com. After our break the podcast will be full steam ahead! Happy New Year!

Today is our final episode of 2021, and we couldn't be more thankful for all of you who have joined this community! We are closing out the year with an exciting new giving initiative which we discuss in detail. However, this month's organization that we are supporting is Megan's Wings. You can check out what they do on their website: https://www.meganswings.org/. After that, Matt and Nathan dive into Achilles Tendinopathy and cover everything from definitions, pathoanatomy, rehab, and what role shoes play. They also discuss the question, "Can I keep running through this injury?" As always, this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are having pain or an injury, please find a local physical therapist.

We are in the final episode of our DPT Approved Awards for 2021. Our team has tested over 110 shoes and ran over 15,000 miles in 2021 (so far) and we are ready to dish out our picks for numerous categories of shoes. Our final category is a fan-favorite: Best Road Racing Shoes. We talk through our individual contributor picks for both shorter and longer distance road racing with a focus on "super shoe" options. We are believers in more traditional road racing flats, but those will be reserved for another time. 2021 was a sneaky year that brought a lot of very solid road racing options, and we talk about many of them in this episode.