The geek's guide to running faster | The Vergecast

It’s a holiday week for many of us, which means a lot of Turkey Trots and a lot of TV. We have something for both in this episode! First, Nick Thompson, the CEO of The Atlantic and author of the new book, The Running Ground, joins the show to talk about his lifelong journey as a runner, and all the tech — from smartwatch to shoes to custom GPTs — he uses in training. After that, The Verge’s John Higgins makes his first Vergecast appearance to help us understand how motion smoothing works, why you should turn it off, and all the other ways you can improve your TV watching experience this holiday season. Finally, David follows up on a question on the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@theverge.com!) with some recommendations on inexpensive earbuds worth cranking up the volume on.

0:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:13 Interview with Nick Thompson: Running and Technology
03:45 Nick's Running Gear and Training Insights
08:59 The Role of Data in Running Performance
13:33 The Impact of Coaching and Accountability
15:17 Balancing Technology and Personal Motivation
26:41 Advancements in Running Shoe Technology
32:05 Running with Headphones: When and Why
32:31 The Importance of Mental Focus in Training
33:42 Debating the Role of Music in Running
35:08 Congratulations on the Book
35:25 TV Buying Guide for the Holidays
37:39 TV Settings and Motion Smoothing
42:21 Choosing the Right TV for Your Needs
44:39 Gaming and TV Settings
50:20 Affordable TV Recommendations
53:54 Smart TV Interfaces
57:48 The Frame TV Dilemma
01:06:19 Vergecast Hotline: Best Cheap Earbuds
01:10:14 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

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Post from The Verge on November 25, 2025

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