We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Runner's Feet

iamfishing
iamfishing Posts: 8
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Any runners out there? I am working towards a half marathon in mid-May in Fargo North Dakota. I am now up to the 13 mile distance and doing well but having trouble with my feet...in particular, black nails. Anyone else out there with similar experience? Any advice?

Replies

  • kellybean14
    kellybean14 Posts: 237 Member
    Ah, yes. The dreaded runner's toe!

    Consider buying shoes 1/2 size larger than you normally wear. Keep your toenails short and that will help a little, too.

    Some people are hard-core enough to pierce their toenail with a sanitized needle to let the blood out, which can "save" a toenail. I was never able to do this and just dealt with black toenails.

    It's a battle scar! Be proud!!
  • jenalderman
    jenalderman Posts: 411 Member
    bump because I would love to hear more on this subject. I'm also training for my first half in the fall.
  • katemme
    katemme Posts: 191
    I wear Merrell barefoot running shoes, the mary jane style. So comfy, but I've noticed I'm starting to get weird blisters under my toenails.
  • Corryn78
    Corryn78 Posts: 215
    Do your shoes fit properly? Running stores will typically fit you into a larger size, I understand that will help some of the toe damage. I'm a very short distance jogger, so my only problem is dry skin from the socks. :)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Black nails come with the territory........I've only had one so far but practically every runner I know who does any serious distances has, at one time or another, suffered from this

    Here's a link to runnsersworld.com on prevention and treatment.

    http://wiki.runnersworld.com/index.php/Black_Toenails
  • L00py_T0ucan
    L00py_T0ucan Posts: 1,378 Member
    bump.


    Everyone seems to think that the dead toenails are from shoes that are too small.
    Equally painful is having one foot a 1/2 size smaller than the other foot. I have to wear a thicker sock to take up the extra room or else one of my toes on that foot ends up being the bruised toe w/ the dead toenail. :sick:

    Even w/ shoes properly fitted, I'm not really sure what to do about my Werewolf toes - my 2nd toe is longer than my big toe. Ouch. :huh:

    I have not successfully avoided the dreaded dead toenail - it's a good thing I like the nail polish colors that look like dead toenail anyways :bigsmile: (dark greys, blues, dark brown, purpley-grey...)
  • DisneyAddictRW
    DisneyAddictRW Posts: 800 Member
    I almost lost a nail in February. I needed new shoes. Ever since no problems. I also heard going up a half size helps! Good luck with your half!
  • iamfishing
    iamfishing Posts: 8
    Wow, the piercing idea seems a little extreme! I actually did make a small hole after a long run as a means to reduce the pressure. But it then got infected so I won't do that again. :o)

    Sounds like maybe I need bigger shoes. :o)
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
    I've had perfectly fitting shoes that were great for the first 300 miles or so then out of the blue I get a black nail. I've had shoes which gave me a black nail in the first few runs nd then nothing until I retire them.

    Black nails are just something that runners seem to get every now and then.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories