RunningAHEAD - Topic: Marathons & toenails

Marathons & toenails (Read 314 times)

Momruns

posted: 2/9/2008 at 6:20 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site & love what I am reading. Tons of information. Clearly I have work to do updating my log & hopefully will get to that soon.

My question relates to toenails (nice). Do you always lose them when you run marathons? I ran Honolulu in Dec & lost 1 toenail off each foot. I had run several 20+ LSD runs leading up to the marathon & had no toe issues. Run that extra 6 miles & run into problems. They aren't painful or anything, just ugly. (I'm glad its winter & I am not having to wear sandals). Honolulu was wet, wet, wet & I developed huge blisters on the toes so perhaps that is the cause?

Just wondering if I need shoes with a bigger toe box or is toe nail loss/blisters an inevitable with marathons.

Thanks for any advice,

Smile

higa

view log

posted: 2/9/2008 at 7:45 PM

Hi there

I have only ever had one toenail turn black and it was when I did my only marathon (so far). Like you I had done the miles prior so maybe it's just what happens when you put that extra bit of effort in.

Since then i have bought shoes half a size bigger. I am training for my second mara in June so it will be interesting to see.

I think black teonails are a bit of a 'rite of passage' so wear them proudly..............er yuck.......... something only runners could relate to i'm sure!

tuf_aint_enough view log	posted: 2/9/2008 at 8:23 PM
	Toenails are overrated.

turboterie1 view log	posted: 2/9/2008 at 8:27 PM
	I've only run one marathon and I didn't lose a toenail. I'm wondering if your shoes are too tight. I buy my running shoes a half size bigger than my normal shoes to account for the swelling that occurs when running longer distances. I'm sure that is what saved my toenails. I've run 4 halfs and 1 marathon and even in the halfs I didn't lose a nail or even get a black one.
	Finished my first marathon 1-13-2008 in 6:03:37 at P.F. Chang's in Phoenix. PR in San Antonio RnR 5:45:58!!!!!! on 11-16-08 Marathon coach for Albuquerque Fit The only thing that has ever made any difference in my running is running. Goal: Sub 5 marathon in 2009

Trent view log ʎǝʞuoɯ ʎʞunɟ	posted: 2/9/2008 at 8:29 PM
	I have never lost a toe nail. Not even darkened one. Make sure your toe box in your shoes is adequate. And please, have the decency to post pictures of your damaged toes
	noʎ ɥʇıʍ ǝq ʎǝʞuoɯ ǝɥʇ ʎɐɯ

Marcus L S Monkey Scratch	posted: 2/9/2008 at 9:10 PM
	I have never had toenail problems. Just keep them trimmed and make sure your shoes are not too small. I know some ultramarathoners have them surgically removed though.
	all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be Obesity is a disease. Yes, a disease where nothing tastes bad...except salads.

Trent view log ʎǝʞuoɯ ʎʞunɟ	posted: 2/9/2008 at 9:20 PM modified: 2/9/2008 at 9:21 PM
	Quote from Marcus L S on 2/9/2008 at 9:10 PM: ultramarathoners
	noʎ ɥʇıʍ ǝq ʎǝʞuoɯ ǝɥʇ ʎɐɯ

Teresadfp view log	posted: 2/9/2008 at 9:22 PM modified: 2/9/2008 at 9:23 PM
	I lost TWO big toenails when I stupidly hiked up a big mountain with three women who are triathletes. What was I thinking? My hiking boots weren't laced tightly enough, so on the way down my toes kept jamming into the end. A hard way to learn my lesson. It took over 4 months for them to blacken and fall off.

Run To Win view log Blaine Moore	posted: 2/9/2008 at 10:13 PM
	One of my tonails blackened a bit after my ultramarathon, but it didn't fall off. The blood stain just gradually grew towards the end of the foot and after a few months was gone. I did lose a toenail once after I dropped a toilet on my foot, though.
	Run to Win I just started using Twitter - anybody else on there? http://twitter.com/RunToWin

Bonkin view log Reboot	posted: 2/9/2008 at 10:20 PM
	Quote from Trent on 2/9/2008 at 8:29 PM: I have never lost a toe nail. Me neither - but one did turn black after my ultra last year. It didn't fall off though.
	Your monkey gives me the creeps. - andahuff

run_like_a_girl Big Chicken!	posted: 2/10/2008 at 7:58 AM
	Thanks for the image Trent! I nearly lost my breakfast on that one. Seriously gross!
	Kris C Running away from the couch one mile at a time!

Trent view log ʎǝʞuoɯ ʎʞunɟ	posted: 2/10/2008 at 12:15 PM
	Quote from run_like_a_girl on 2/10/2008 at 7:58 AM: Thanks for the image Trent! I nearly lost my breakfast on that one. Seriously gross!
	noʎ ɥʇıʍ ǝq ʎǝʞuoɯ ǝɥʇ ʎɐɯ