Runners Toenails!

[HookedOnHooking]

Today I ran my furthest ever. 13km!!!! >

I think I've killed my toenails though. They bloody hurt. Does this mean...

A. Do I need new trainers?

B. Am I now a real runner?

C. Are they going to fall off? One in particular is a bit purple.

[suzannecanthecan]

I always try and pierce the nail and let the blood out if a toe nail goes purple, also taping up the toe (KT tape) can be helpful to prevent further blistering and stop the pain of existing blisters.

Or just get them burnt out with acid
www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22FITNESS.html?_r=0

[HookedOnHooking]

[SecondToughestInTheInfants]

Well done!
In reverse order:
3) I don't know
2) You are a real runner the minute you start running!

1. Yes. I run up to 20k fairly regularly and I've never had a problem with my toenails. Check that your socks aren't too tight/pulled up too much, that your toenails are fairly short and that your shoes are big enough. Your feet get bigger while you're running distances so you need room. Going half a size or a size up is a good idea - the laces will keep your feet safely in the shoe and your toes will have room to get hot and fat without bumping into anything...

[HookedOnHooking]

Do I need real running socks? Ir are tescp trainer socks acceptable?

[HookedOnHooking]

13k!!!

I'm very pleased with myself.

[CMOTDibbler]

Your trainers are either too small, or your toenails are too long. But probably your trainers are too small - my Asics are a 7.5, but I am a 6 in normal shoes.

Running socks are cheap, and less likely to give you blisters

[SecondToughestInTheInfants]

You can do a half marathon if you can do 13k!
I run in Sainsbury's trainer socks (the sporty thick ones not the thin fashiony ones). I do have a pair of double-layer running socks somewhere but I don't like them as much and they're bloody expensive.

[HookedOnHooking]

I am signed up for half marathon in october so please I am getting there.

Also. There's a shop somewhere not too far away that does gait analysis. Would it be worth going there for proper trainers?

[SecondToughestInTheInfants]

Yes probably. Is it one where they video you on a treadmill? If you're going to be running a lot you do need good trainers or your knees and back will be buggered before you know it!

[TheWintersmith]

Hooked

Yes, bloody go, the gait analysis is ok, but the specialist sizing and fit advice is PRICELESS.

[HookedOnHooking]

I will! Now I am A Runner I need proper shoes.

[suzannecanthecan]

what have you been running in Hooked, and were they the same size as your regular shoes?
As has been said most of us need to size up for running, I go up from 4 to 5/5.5

[EleanorAbernathy]

I have weird toes and always go a whole size up in running shoes, and despite this the nails on my second toe on both feet always go black. That's AFTER having my gait analysed and the shoes properly fitted.

I lost my big toenail after an unseasonably hot half marathon last year - it's grown back again now though

[HookedOnHooking]

Thanks
Current trainers are quite old anddd yes, same size as shoes so possibly too small. Will go and look st fancy shop today.

[WeLoveHaribo]

Well done on 13km
No experience of toe nails but you definitely are a runner! I'm just in the process of looking at running socks myself..
I'm stuck around 10 but hoping I get to smash that soon
I've had gait done and got some asics but mine are half a size smaller

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Definitely a runner.

I've lost toenails on 2 occasions running. The first was my marathon, fairly predictable. The second time, I put it down to old shoes. It always seems to happen in time for summer so I'm now sporting one absent toenail amongst blue painted ones

Always size up. I run in a size bigger than my normal shoe size.

Sock wise I've tried various types, currently wearing Hilly double layer running socks, I've also had many years out of X socks with no real problems. I do buy proper running socks, couldn't just wear trainer liners. They aren't cheap but last a couple of years normally,

[ultrathule]

What are toenails???!!! Just kidding. Occupational hazard for sure, but having good shoes that fit properly helps. Keep your toenails cut very short, and wear decent, not too thick, proper running socks. I lost one and had three black nasties after a marathon last month, not sure why as shoes are fine, just one of those things I think. They do grow back ok if you look after them.

Having trainers that are too big in the toe box can be a problem as your toes have more room to bang against the top. Make sure they are laced firmly (not tight but firm) to minimise foot movement. Hilly twin skin socks are indeed brilliant.