If you are a runner how do you keep your feet looking nice?

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I run about 40km a week split into three runs, I have very expensive professionally fitted trainers but it doesn’t seem to stop weird callouses on my second toes and baby to

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... baby toenails that are about ready to fall off! What should I be doing to get the trotters ready for flip flops... I used to have quite pretty feet I think I need to sand them down or something!

You don't, but you can be proud that you're a runner if anyone comments 😂. I have 5 black toenails! Whatever you do, don't get them sanded because your feet will be too soft and you'll get blisters

Hahaha! @duckponds glad it's not just me! I currently only have one black toenail but I had to nurse my middle toenail back to health after it went a very odd shape It's mostly the callous on my second toe that is bothering me because it's shows (you can still nail polish black toenails after all!) I think I will do a little light sanding in every shower, as you say I don't want to make them sore or affect my running....I do want pretty feet for summer though, I have lovely sandals and toe rings that need to see the light!

I pay the podiatrist £25 every month! I still obviously get the bruised nails but she seems to keep everything else comfortable.

I have run since I was 15 and have the world's worst feet - bunions, hard skin, the lot. However I never get my feet out as I am a very cold person so it doesn't bother me.

I love gardening and have finally accepted i will never have beautifully manicured nails. If acceptance isn't an option, mega moisturise, Chiropody sponge for the callouses and false toe nails (i shit you not) when pretty toes are required?

My toes are in the worst possible state of my life! But i have never felt so good so i think it's a small price to pay!
My two big toenails have holes and everything where the podiatrist has burst the blood clots underneath, painful but i have got used to them! Still dread getting out the open toed shoes soon though..
The rest of my feet are kept pretty well with her amazing drills and sanding machines and other wonderful bits - i pay 30€ every 6 weeks-ish, the callouses are much better and they feel so smooth when i leave! They just look more loved and taken care of.
Can you get Nok cream in the UK? It is really good for hydrating when running long distances.

If your toenails are bruised then either :

1-your shoes are too small
2- your laces are too loose
3- you run much more than I do

Ive been running since my teens and have never suffered blackened toenails. My runnings shoes are half a size bigger than my normal shoe size and the laces are TIGHT. I do have callouses and corns though that I make a half arsed attempt to deal with every summer, but I know I'll never have perfectly smooth feet. I've made peace with it though

Ive never lost a toenail or got a blister - but i do wear wide fit trainers and size up. I ran a half marathon in shoes slightly too small and bruised my toenails, so sized up. As PP said, if you have any of those things, change your shoes. Lace lock works at keeping your foot still, and try wide fit if your small toes are rubbing. Running does not need to equate to bad feet.

I'm a runner and haven't lost any toenails for many many years. Half a size up in trainers didn't work for me, still got bruised toenails and callouses on the ends of my toes so now I wear a full size up - and in some trainers 1.5 size up! I also use vaseline or cycling chamois cream on my feet before a long run to prevent blistering/hard skin and use a pumice to smooth hard skin regularly.

I wear a full size up too. I lace them very tight so keep my feet from rolling inwards so have callouses on the top of my feet.

I don't get black toenails, but then I don't run 40km a week. My little toenails are now the strangest shape though, sort of pushed up into a wedge. Nail clippers aren't very effective, I think I need one of those tools blacksmiths use to clip the edges of horses' hooves.

I don’t run as much as you, but have never had black toenails. A few suggestions. Slather feet with Vaseline before long runs, including in between toes. Keep toenails short. Size up. Decent well fitting socks.

I have always suffered coming cracked/calloused feet, even before I was a runner. If I don’t do the above, it gets worse.
Then I also use a Newton’s chiropody sponge (Amazon) and Flexitol foot cream.

My trainers are a size and a half up and fitted properly in a running shop... I may need to lace them tighter though that’s a point I hadn’t considered. Also Vaseline before a run - genius idea I have a newton type sponge for my new sanding regime and foot moisturiser by soap and glory for after every shower. Thanks for all the tips!

I had the weird vertical baby toenails before they went black princess your day will come

Moisturise , gentle twice weekly sanding in the shower and paint the toenails a dark colour and paint the skin where the missing toenails should be ( no-one has noticed yet)