Doctors of Running Podcast

Join David and Matt as they go on a free-wheeling conversation on where running is headed. They discuss whether Asian shoe brands are poised for a bigger presence in the US market, whether the trend of new-age foams making their way into daily trainers is a net positive, and which shoe has surprised them most in 2026. They close things out with a debate on where Yomif Kejelcha ranks among the greatest distance runners of all time.
Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORSEPT10 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 be 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.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
32:24 - Are we going to start seeing more Asian shoes in the US?
43:03 - Is the trend of new-age foams in daily trainers a good thing?
51:59 - What shoe has surprised you in 2026?
58:23 - Where does Yomif Kejelcha stand in the greatest distance runners of all time?
1:09:01 - Wrap-up

Nathan, Matt, & David are here for our latest mailbag round. Matt shares some early thoughts on the Altra Vanish Carbon 3 and runs through more shoes currently in testing before diving into the mailbag. They tackle questions on how to actually sense your own running mechanics, what it means for your form to be "right," road shoe recommendations for knee pain while returning to running, and how to find new shoes after coming back from a long injury layoff. Want your mailbag question on the next episode? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com!
Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 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 be 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.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:48 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
17:00 - Altra Vanish Carbon 3 first thoughts
21:18 - More testing shoes
35:42 - How to sense your mechanics?
42:10 - How can you know if your form is "right"?
50:34 - Road shoes to help with knee pain while returning to running
56:40 - Finding new shoes after a long injury break
1:02:36 - Wrap-up

Andrea and Matt kick things off with early impressions of the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 before diving into another round of Buy or Sell. They debate whether the New Balance SC Elite v6 is the best super shoe the brand has ever made, whether the Clifton Pro deserves the title of best Clifton, and if the Topo Specter 3 stands as the brand's best shoe yet. Want your buy/sell take on the next episode? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com!
Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 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 be 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.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:14 - Nike Pegasus Plus 2 first thoughts
7:22 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
21:10 - Buy or Sell: the SC Elite v6 is the best super shoe New Balance has ever made
30:28 - The Clifton Pro is the best Clifton
35:20 - The Specter 3 is Topo's best shoe
41:46 - The Specter Elite is better than the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper for the marathon
45:14 - ATPU is better than PEBA
49:30 - Rockers are specific to certain foot strikes
1:02:16 - The SC Rebel should replace the Rebel
1:10:08 - Wrap-up

If you've been with us for a while, you know we're big fans of Topo Athletic. They're new releases: Specter 3 and Specter Elite have gotten some big acclaim, and for good reason. But, you might not know about their full line of shoes. Matt, David, and Nathan are here to break down their lineup, from daily trainers, to max cushion shoes, to minimalist options.
Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 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 be 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.com
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
2:04 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
20:50 - A history of Topo Athletic
30:22 - Topo Phantom 4 & Atmos 2
34:36 - Ultrafly 6 & Aura
44:34 - Cyclone 2, Specter 3, Specter Elite
56:40 - Trail models
1:10:44 - Minimalist shoes
1:13:22 - Wrap-up

Our social algorithms are full of quick-fix suggestions from "experts" telling us how this one change to foot strike (or cadence or form, etc) will fix all our pain! But they're often too good to be true. Matt, David, and Nathan do some footstrike mythbusting, starting with a primer on what footstrike actually is and how it factors into injury risk. They work through several persistent myths such as that most elite runners are mid/forefoot strikers, that forefoot striking is inherently more efficient, that changing footstrike is an easy fix for pain and more.
Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 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 be 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.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:01 - Reacting to Josh Kerr's new mile world record
11:32 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
25:20 - A primer on footstrike
35:30 - How footstrike influences injury risk
39:36 - Myth: most/all elite runners are mid/forefoot strikers
42:20 - Myth: forefoot strike is more efficient
47:38 - Myth: changing your footstrike is an easy fix for pain reduction
52:04 - Myth: footstrike never changes
55:40 - How footstrike can influence shoe choice
1:06:30 - Wrap-up