Running Shoe Tech and Terminology with Josh Levinson
Marathon Training Academy
Angie and Trevor
4.8 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 21 November 2025
⏱️ 61 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode we take you to Charm City Run in Frederick, Maryland, to speak with store owner Josh Levinson about running shoe tech and terminology. How are running shoes engineered these days and what is the insider terminology you should know? Learn about stack height, heel-to-toe drop, stability, energy return, carbon and nylon plates, midsole foam durometer, torsional rigidity, gusseted tongue, and more.
Josh and Kara Levinson opened their first specialty running store in 2002. Charm City Run now has 7 locations (six in Maryland and 1 in Delaware) and 200 employees!
Special thanks to Academy member Stefanie Smith for arranging this interview!
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you focus on what really matters: Getting out there.
Joint Health Plus by Previnex -prevention is the best medicine and you need to protect your joint cartilage from breakdown. Get 30% off during their Black Friday Sale (no coupon code needed) or use code MTA for 15% off your first order the rest of the year.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
The Virginia Credit Union River City Half -March 7 in Richmond, Virginia.
2026 Running Retreat in the Italian Dolomites with Run the Alps. See this page for details.
Athens 2026 Marathon Tour with MTA and Dean Karnazes. It’s going to be epic!
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This podcast is brought to you by Ultra Running. |
| 0:03.0 | Ultra Shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of your feet |
| 0:05.6 | with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength, |
| 0:09.4 | so you can focus on what really matters, getting out there. |
| 0:12.5 | Try the Ultra Fit with free shipping and returns, |
| 0:15.1 | plus a free 30-day trial run guarantee. |
| 0:17.9 | Visit ultrarruiting.com to shop now. |
| 0:20.0 | That's A-L-T-R-A-A-Running.com and stay out there with |
| 0:24.4 | Ultra. Hey, if you've been listening to the podcast, you know how much we love. Joint Health Plus |
| 0:28.7 | by Previnex. And just a heads up, they're having their biggest sale of the year, their Black |
| 0:32.9 | Friday sale. You can get 30% off their entire product line sitewide. The sale kicks off November 24th and |
| 0:39.8 | runs through the holiday weekend. Just visit Previnex.com. Look for Joint Health Plus or any of their |
| 0:44.5 | other great products and get 30% off. Prevenex.com. Hey, hey, welcome to the Marathon Training Academy podcast, where it's all about |
| 1:08.5 | equipping you as a long distance runner. |
| 1:12.3 | I'm Trevor. And I'm Angie. |
| 1:18.1 | In this episode, I speak with Josh Levinson, owner of Charm City Run. We'll talk about shoe tech and terminology. How are shoes engineered these days and what is some of the key terminology that |
| 1:22.7 | you should know. And don't forget, as an academy member, you can get access to all of our |
| 1:27.0 | plans, courses, and more. |
| 1:29.3 | Find out how to join when you visit Marathon Training Academy.com. |
| 1:33.8 | So there were a few new records set recently at the Tunnel Hill 100 events. |
| 1:38.8 | It's a notoriously flat ultramarathon event course that they have. |
| 1:43.9 | Anne Flower of Colorado set the 50 mile world record |
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