Do all runners lose toenails?

omma_to_3
omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just curious on this. I've never lost a toenail - not even close. I've been running for over 3 years, though the most mileage I get to is 20 to 25 miles at the peak of training for a half. Typically, it's more like 15 - 18 miles a week. I just read all the time about how bad runner's feet are supposed to look and mine are fine. I do tend to where my shoes on the big side. Or is just that I'm not particularly high mileage?

Just curious (and bored apparently LOL)
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Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I haven't lost one yet and I've been running consistently for about 7 years now. Like you my longest distance running has been a half marathon, perhaps if I upped my distances training for a marathon it might happen but....so far,so good (we may also just be lucky people whose shoes fit exceptionally well......)
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Have run for 40 years, never lost one.
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    had one get a bit painful for a few weeks but didnt lose it. i lost my toenail after accidently dragging the wheely bin over my foot while wearing sandals
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    I've never lost one, but I don't do really long distances. However, I have noticed if I let them get a little too long the toes sometimes get a little tender.
  • dcresider
    dcresider Posts: 1,272 Member
    I haven't lost one yet and I've done 1/2 marathons. Granted the pounding after 13 miles does take a toll on balls of my feet and the toenails do get tender.
  • cld111
    cld111 Posts: 300 Member
    I have heard that about ultramarathoners. In fact, I either read it or maybe I saw it on a documentary that some ultramarathoners get them removed - on purpose !! - before a race. Yikes!
  • WickedPineapple
    WickedPineapple Posts: 698 Member
    I've been running a little over a year and ran a half in May. I've never lost a toenail either. I only recently found out this was a thing from my friend I ran the half with (she doesn't lose toenails either). My toes don't get sore either, but I have very small feet/toes and keep my nails really short so that might have something to do with it.
  • sudmom
    sudmom Posts: 202 Member
    My husband and I both run a lot-I get pedicures and have pretty toes but his feet are a mess! I think he has lost 3 nails at one time or another.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I did not know that you should get running shoes a size larger than your regular shoes and lost four toenails. I got some larger shoes and haven't had a problem since. About 25 miles a week.
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    Proper shoes eliminate much of the risk. Buy cheap shoes (or expensive ones that aren't right for your feet) and watch your toenails turn black.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    I have never lost a nail, my training partner has lost many. His nails turn black and eventually come off. My big toe usually wears a hole in the top of my shoe but the nail is fine.

    If I wear steel toe work shoes, the nail on my big toe will split down the center.
  • Pinkranger626
    Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
    I had never lost a toenail until I bought some sneakers that weren't a good fit for me. But, after spending that much money that I couldn't get back (didn't figure out that they hurt until running a couple times in them) i decided to at least get the miles out of them for my half that was coming up (yes, I know that wasn't the best decision, but money is tight). After that race I lost my big toenail. Idk if this is something with just my feet, but that toenail has grown back extra thick and funky looking, and keeps falling off after a few months. I have my other big toenail that does the same thing, but i had dropped a chair on it years ago and it grew back funky.

    I'd say if you are constantly losing toenails that you need a different shoe. I don't think losing a toenail is a good thing.
  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    dewd2 wrote: »
    Proper shoes eliminate much of the risk. Buy cheap shoes (or expensive ones that aren't right for your feet) and watch your toenails turn black.
    +1
    I learned this lesson the hard way

  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    I've been running since I was 8 and thankfully haven't lost a toenail doing it.
  • Sunnysided1
    Sunnysided1 Posts: 35 Member
    No, but I wear the correct shoe size. I need to be able to wiggle my toes plus. I have done a couple marathons too no problem.
    Or let's say I used to anyway because the last pair I sized down for vanity. :/ I have big feet too and a big big toe. That pair did not see much running though.
  • AlisonH729
    AlisonH729 Posts: 558 Member
    edited July 2015
    I never lost one from running.
    My baby toe nail fell off during after a particularly hectic day running errands all over NYC in flats when I was an intern.
  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    I haven't lost any toe-nails. My brother, who is a trail ultra-marathoner, has lost several toe-nails. His runs are anywhere from 50 - 100 miles nonstop in the mountains.
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    I've never lost one. My longest run is a full marathon and after that the toe next to the big one turned purple for a month but stayed on.
  • canary_girl
    canary_girl Posts: 366 Member
    I run and have never lost any, but when DH started running he lost like 4 of them in pretty quick succession. But nothing since then.
  • littlekitty3
    littlekitty3 Posts: 265 Member
    The problem is poor shoe fitting
  • Curtruns
    Curtruns Posts: 510 Member
    I have never lost any toe nails but I have bruised them badly. I have been running for several years now including several marathons and one 50K. The only damage to my toe nails has been from kicking up rocks.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    Not sure about runners, but most dancers do at some point...even people who just do social dancing.

    I happened to see the bare feet of some of my dancing friends recently...whoa boy! Mine at least look OK from a distance. I've lost both big toenails completely at various times and they are still a bit iffy. No pedicures for me--I wouldn't trust anybody around my toenails.
  • dirtyflirty30
    dirtyflirty30 Posts: 222 Member
    I lost one, but it was because I had the wrong shoes - bad size, small toe-box, etc. Learned a painful and ugly lesson.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    Only when I run full marathons. Even training runs up to 22 miles don't do it. I suspect the distance and speed of the full marathon combine. And even then it doesn't always happen.

    Currently I only have 9 toenails as I lost one at my last full Ironman a couple weeks ago.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    I have never lost a toenail and running barefoot a few times a week keeps my feet looking better than they ever did staying locked inside sweaty shoes all the time.
  • sjp_511
    sjp_511 Posts: 476 Member
    I have done 31 half marathons and the only time I have ever lost a toenail was when I was 17 and bought the running shoes that looked cute and were trendy. It didn't even take a lot of miles to lose the nail...
  • dawnna76
    dawnna76 Posts: 987 Member
    lost my first one ever running a full
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    I've been running since middle school and I've never lost one. My running partner in high school cross country would lose one of her pinky toe nails at the start of each season though, lol. I've never run more than 7 miles at one time and normally run 10-15 miles a week, so nothing crazy.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    I have run for 30 years and I cannot remember losing a toe nail from running and/or my running shoes. I don't really see how you could if your shoes fit properly. you are just going straight and you don't stop. I have sometimes cracked my toe nails when I play tennis. But it comes from stopping hard and fast and my toe jams into the front of my shoe.
    I also have to say: Soccer players have terrible looking feet and toe nails. They twist and turn and kick the ground and get stepped on, etc., etc., and it shows! I used to cringe whenever a fellow player took his shoes and socks off. Lost toe nail on one toe. Blood blister under another nail. Fungus under a third. On and on.
  • delboyholmes123
    delboyholmes123 Posts: 50 Member
    Hahaha. I lost 2 toe nails once running 10miles or so. Turns out you need to buy a slightly bigger running shoe than what your regular shoes are, doh! It didn't hurt but it freaked me the *kitten* out.

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