I had never heard the term shoe doping until recently. However, athletic doping implies a method that can offer a speed advantage. Doping affects athletic performance. Olympians are screened to confirm they are not using banned medications or other substances to improve their athletic abilities. On a recent visit to Runners High in Metuchen, Rob showed me some of the newer shoes that improve efficiency in running, with the most recent shoes by Brooks and other manufacturers. A running shoe that can improve your efficiency by 4% may significantly improve your time and performance throughout a marathon. The Nike Vaporfly, for example, made its name during a marathon in Vienna a few years ago, setting a pace that resulted in the first marathon pace under 2 hours. The typical carbon-plated shoe combined with better foams and cushioning costs more than $200. Some are much higher in cost as competitive runners want a better running time. Recently, the NY Times reported on this and discussed Eliud Kipchoge, who broke the 2-hour barrier in the controlled Vienna course. Rob, of Runners High who trains runners, suggested the shoes offer improved efficiency however, the runner must also be able to maintain their pace, so these shoes may not reliably increase their times. On the other hand, half of being an athlete is mental, and if the runner believes the shoe gives them an edge, the belief alone may be enough to help them complete at a faster time. Read the article How ‘shoe doping’ changed marathon times forever – in ways we still don’t fully understand