Silly question for marathon runners....

[libra01971]

I was talking to a friend the other day who is doing a half marathon (which I did early this year) and she's considering trying a full marathon late next year. I told her that I would consider it also but then she said she heard people who run marathons always lose a toenail and that it never grows back the same.

I've heard of people losing nails but not ALWAYS! Is she right???

 

[Elaine Keller]

I've got one toenail that I'm convinced is permanently jacked up! It comes off every time I train for a marathon. It doesn't hurt at all but it's ugly!!!

 

[skaz05]

Yes she is right, I have lost both my pinky toenails.

 

[khshill]

Hello!

I have ran a lot of marathons and even ultra marathons. From what I know, if your shoes have the right fit (1.2 size bigger than your foot size), then you should have a pretty good chance of that not happening. Although it is always possible, chances are if you are in the right shoe you will be fine! Do you have a Fleet Feet or specialty store near you who could fit your foot?

Kristen

 

[scaryari]

I've lost 4 toe nails. They all came back fine. I have tried all different types of shoes & socks. I pull my toes back when I run which causes the extra strain on my toes. Goodluck training!!!

In the summer I just paint my skin red with polish. You can hardly tell there is no nail there.

 

[Mckmain]

No questiins are silly!!!......In the last 8 years I have done marathons and even longer distances, I have had a few black toenails and maybe lost 1 or 2. It does help to find the right shoe but that isn't real easy. The shoe can't be too big or too small. I can always tell if a shoe is too small when I do alot of downhill, if my toes hurt after about 10-15 miles I know the shoe is too small and I get a half size bigger. Can be expensive but I'd rather keep my toenails......I do know some distance runners that do always loose toenails.......Carole

 

[andtckrtoo]

My first year running I lost 5 toe nails, then I got new shoes, and trimmed my nails short (I cannot have them long at all - the place where I get pedicures just shake their heads at me) I was fine. Some people do lose their nails no matter what. I think all of our feet have weird quirks. I can save my nails, but I always have blisters on the sides of my big toes - no matter what. I have really weird feet though - they look like Fred Flintstone's feet.

 

[khshill]

I meant to say one whole size bigger in my last reply (instead of 1/2 size--I was half asleep!). Sometimes you just can't help it but getting the right shoe to fit does help. You should have a finger width distance between your toe and the end of your shoe. I used to work at a store called Fleet Feet and we would actually watch our customers run to see what type of shoe would best fit their foot, etc. I am not sure of any type of store who does this or where you live but you might want to check into it! Good luck!

 

[amyg]

People don't ALWAYS lose toenails, that's for sure. I agree with most here that it's the shoe fit that can cause most of the trauma.

If you do a lot of downhill running, or if your shoes are too small in the toe box, you're more likely to encounter the black toenail thing- it's actually a blood blister that forms underneath the nail plate. The pressure from the blister builds up and your nail pops off as a result. Ick!