Doctors of Running Podcast

They pick their Top 3 shoes of 2026 so far and share several honorable mentions from brands like On, Saucony, Mizuno and more. They compare fits, ride qualities, and what makes certain trainers and racers stand out. One co-host also talks through training changes and mindset as he prepares to run the Boston Marathon with an adidas kit.

They talk about how runners can fit weightlifting into busy training schedules. They compare current shoes and dissect midsole design and stability. They outline practical strength routines and low-volume lifting plans tailored to running. They tackle common weightlifting myths and strategies to avoid overload while balancing running and lifting goals.

They answer listener questions about recovery runs and whether recovery-specific shoes have real science behind them. They compare lightweight versus high-cushion trainers and which to prioritize for volume. They discuss stable-neutral long-run shoe options and what to try after ankle surgery. They also review compression clothing evidence and practical shoe testing tips.

Hoka's making big strides in 2026 with a big updated to their top-tier distance racing shoe: the Cielo X1 3.0. Matt is joined by Rebekah Broe, Senior Director of Product Performance Footwear at HOKA, to dive into every detail of the changes. They talk foam composition, midsole geometry, tweaks to the plate and much more!Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORMARCH10 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.Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:06 - The origin of the Cielo X1 line5:26 - How long did development take?8:26 - How has 3.0's geometry changed from the previous version?14:34 - Why did the cutouts change?19:14 - What Hoka sees as the ideal use for this shoe22:18 - The role of the central groove27:12 - How has the plate changed?33:02 - The nature of the midsole foam39:30 - Upper changes45:18 - Who does Hoka think this shoe will/won't work for?49:36 - Wrap-up

On this episode, Andrea is joined by Jennifer St. Jean, an incredibly accomplished masters track runner and high school & collegiate coach. Jen shares insights from her long and decorated masters track career on how to stay healthy, consistent, and competitive as you age. Jen is a mom of 3, she’s coached all ages including high school & college. She’s a researcher at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Her lifetime PRs 1500/800m 4:19/2:08. She runs for Central Park Track Club Tracksmith and is an Alum of UMass Amherst. She’s a multi-time masters national champion and World Indoor Masters Champ in the 1500m.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.Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:14 - Jenn's running background8:16 - Tips for transferring from high school to collegiate training11:32 - The post-collegiate transition15:24 - Balancing racing and resting18:44 - Becoming a competitive masters athlete30:54 - Tips for getting into competitive masters track36:20 - How has high school/collegiate coaching & training changed over the years?43:18 - Jenn's biggest tip for the parents of high school runners46:40 - How training changes over the years51:04 - Jenn's shoe rotation1:00:14 - Wrap-up

ASICS is coming in hot as we head into Spring with a big update to one of their most beloved models: the Superblast 3. Nathan and David are joined by Paul Lang (ASICS Global Footwear Senior Product Manager for Performance Running) to talk about all the changes. Version 3 introduces FF Leap, first seen in the Metaspeed series, a re-tooled upper, and much more. Tune in to hear the behind the scenes story of the Superblast 3!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.Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro3:06 - What was the vision behind the Superblast 35:22 - How does Asics test their shoes?11:34 - Midsole origins and design15:48 - David's comparitive experiences between the Superblast 2 and 320:14 - Why no plate? Why the specific stack height?25:12 - Upper design33:44 - Changes to the outsole35:02 - The "Blast" line as a whole40:32 - If you could pick one "Blast" shoe, which one are you picking?45:04 - What's coming next for the Blast line47:22 - Wrap-up

If we have a favorite phrase, you know it's going to be "it depends." Well, not when we've got a round of "This or That"! Nathan, Matt, and David put themselves on the hot seat to tackle your This or That ideas. Super trainers or plated trainers? Hot weather or cold weather? Running in a blizzard or running in a hurricane?! Things get a little wild on this one, so tune in!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.Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro3:20 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs21:00 - This or That: true easy day shoe or a do-it-all shoe?27:16 - Running in frigid cold with shorts, or in heat with long pants?36:00 - Super trainers or plated performance trainers?41:02 - Donut mile or beer mile?45:46 - More fun: 5K training or marathon training?49:52 - Marathon race route: out & back or a loop?51:26 - Achilles tear or ACL tear?52:54 - Stability racing shoes or stability trainers?55:36 - Run in a tropical storm or run in a blizzard?1:01:34 - For long-term health: super shoes or no super shoes?1:05:06 - Seattle Seahawks or New England Patriots?1:06:20 - Wrap-up

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

When we talk shoes it's almost always midsoles: foams, plates, geometries, hype. We often forget the uppers of our shoes, and problems with them can make or break the running experience. Matt, David, and Nathan get together to talk about their three biggest pet-peeves when it comes to shoe fit. Heel rubbing, too much padding, narrow forefoots, and more. What are your fit pet-peeves? 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 - Intro1:16 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs26:31 - What can make or break a shoe's upper31:03 - Low forefoot volume and width32:39 - Not enough room where the midfoot & forefoot transition35:13 - Overly tapered toe boxes41:25 - Too early of a taper43:05 - Overly plush & padded uppers46:37 - Tongues that are either too thick or too thin51:37 - Not enough security in the midfoot54:11 - Heel seams that cause rubbing57:51 - Heel counters that angle into the Achilles1:02:31 - 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