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.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:14 - Jenn's running background
• 8:16 - Tips for transferring from high school to collegiate training
• 11:32 - The post-collegiate transition
• 15:24 - Balancing racing and resting
• 18:44 - Becoming a competitive masters athlete
• 30:54 - Tips for getting into competitive masters track
• 36:20 - How has high school/collegiate coaching & training changed over the years?
• 43:18 - Jenn's biggest tip for the parents of high school runners
• 46:40 - How training changes over the years
• 51:04 - Jenn's shoe rotation
• 1:00:14 - 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.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:06 - What was the vision behind the Superblast 3
• 5:22 - How does Asics test their shoes?
• 11:34 - Midsole origins and design
• 15:48 - David's comparitive experiences between the Superblast 2 and 3
• 20:14 - Why no plate? Why the specific stack height?
• 25:12 - Upper design
• 33:44 - Changes to the outsole
• 35:02 - The "Blast" line as a whole
• 40:32 - If you could pick one "Blast" shoe, which one are you picking?
• 45:04 - What's coming next for the Blast line
• 47:22 - 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.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:20 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 21:00 - 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 [email protected].

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.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:14 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 13:14 - Fact or Fiction? If you need orthotics once, you need them forever
• 25:00 - Most runs should be Zone 2 + 80/20 training
• 33:14 - Running cadence should be at least 180 steps per minute
• 38:50 - More cushion is better
• 44:04 - Running is bad for your knees
• 51:04 - Barefoot shoes cause injuries
• 57:30 - Super shoes don't work for slower runners
• 1:03:08 - Soft surfaces reduce injury risk
• 1:09:30 - All shoes can be trail shoes if you try hard enough
• 1:12:48 - 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 [email protected].

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.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:16 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 26:31 - What can make or break a shoe's upper
• 31:03 - Low forefoot volume and width
• 32:39 - Not enough room where the midfoot & forefoot transition
• 35:13 - Overly tapered toe boxes
• 41:25 - Too early of a taper
• 43:05 - Overly plush & padded uppers
• 46:37 - Tongues that are either too thick or too thin
• 51:37 - Not enough security in the midfoot
• 54:11 - Heel seams that cause rubbing
• 57:51 - Heel counters that angle into the Achilles
• 1:02:31 - 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 [email protected].

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.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:48 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 16:26 - Advice for running degenerative joint disease and arthritis
• 25:00 - Good shoes for wet/muddy parkruns
• 30:34 - Does toe spring effect hyper extension?
• 40:06 - Brannock size vs. running shoe size
• 44:46 - Non-plated speed shoes
• 49:14 - Advice for children dealing with Sever's Disease
• 54:26 - Shoe options for training with a neuroma
• 1:00:46 - Wrap-up

We're heading into the new year with a new round of Buy or Sell, one of our favorite podcast games. If you don't know the drill, we force ourselves to decide whether we buy or sell an idea, shoe, treatment, etc. Today, Nathan, David, and Matt debate the Saucony Endorphin Azura (Shift 3 replacement??), the venerable ASICS Nimbus, whether runner's high really exists, and much more. Want your idea on the next edition of Buy or Sell? Email us at [email protected]!

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 your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/

Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 4:26 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 14:20 - Buy/sell: Saucony Endorphin Azura
• 24:34 - The Azura as a Shift 3 replacement
• 29:18 - ASICS Nimbus 28 is better than the 27
• 35:54 - The Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is a super shoe
• 44:48 - Running a marathon or ultra in 2026
• 53:12 - Running doubles
• 1:01:50 - Runner's high is real
• 1:11:25 - Wrap-up

Nathan and Matt are joined by a very special guest, Dr. Karin Sibernagel, Professor at University of Delaware, to discuss the latest research about tendon anatomy, injury, and rehabilitation. Karin shares her extensive experience, both scientific and practical as a clinician, about everything tendon, especially the Achilles. They dive into the specific anatomy of tendons, why they so often get injured, and what you can do to rehabilitate on your own.

Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/

Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:32 - Karin's background & research
• 6:30 - An overview of the anatomy of tendons
• 10:40 - How the muscle, bone, & tendon work together when in movement
• 14:18 - How to analyze how ready the calf complex is for running
• 21:18 - They physiology of tendon pain
• 24:46 - Risk factors for tendon injuries
• 27:24 - Rehabbing tendon pain
• 31:08 - Why heavy loading rebuilds tendons
• 36:38 - Timelines for tendon healing
• 38:32 - The results of Karin's latest research
• 48:52 - How useful is shockwave therapy?
• 54:24 - The role of shoes in achilles tendon pain
• 59:28 - The effect of consistent super shoe use on tendon health
• 1:08:54 - Wrap-up

In this final part of our series meeting with brands to highlight their updates in the next year, Andrea is joined by Russ Stevens & Carolyn Todd from Topo Athletic. They highlight the big redesign to the Specter 3 featuring an all new A-TPU midsole. They'r also bringing updates to the Atmos, Ultrafly, trail favorites like the Terraventure, and many more.

Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/

Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:28 - What makes Topo tick
• 6:08 - Specter 3
• 10:47 - Atmos 2
• 15:34 - Ultrafly 6
• 19:12 - Aura 2
• 22:48 - Connect
• 28:28 - Ultraventure 5
• 31:18 - Terraventure 5
• 33:56 - Future Cyclone updates
• 38:45 - What the next couple years have in store for Topo
• 43:54 - Wrap-up

As we continue our in-depth looks at upcoming 2026 shoes with different brands, David is joined by Luca Ciccone, Cory Hoffman, and Katie Pyle of Saucony, who's coming up big in 2026 with updates and new releases. The Endorphin line gets a new member with the Azura, a plateless PWRRUN PB trainer, and updates to the Endorphin Pro and Elite. Looking for max cushion? The Triumph and Hurricane are getting big updates, and they'll be joined by the new Paramount Max. Listen in to hear about even more of what they have coming next year.

Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/

Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:50 - Endorphin Azura
• 8:20 - Endorphin Pro 5
• 14:42 - Endorphin Elite 3
• 20:56 - Paramount Max
• 29:32 - Triumph 24
• 35:02 - Hurricane 26
• 41:40 - Updates to the Ride & Guide
• 44:54 - A breakdown of all of Saucony’s foams
• 50:38 - Wrap-up