Marathon Tip - How to Keep Your Toenails
08/02/08 23:42 Filed in: Marathon
While training for my first marathon in 1998, I noticed after a long run that the nail of my second toe felt sore. Then it began to get strangely thick and one day I realized it was turning black and coming loose. It eventually fell off entirely. Blech!
My second toes are rather long and tend to curve downward. During a long run this means the toe nail is being pounded mercilessly against the road with every step until it’s bruised and the nail bed is damaged. After I lost that one it took almost an entire year for a new nail to grow in and look normal again.
My second toes are rather long and tend to curve downward. During a long run this means the toe nail is being pounded mercilessly against the road with every step until it’s bruised and the nail bed is damaged. After I lost that one it took almost an entire year for a new nail to grow in and look normal again.
For my next marathon a trainer showed me a simple trick. Before a long run of 10 miles or so, I wrap my second toes in athletic tape. This keeps the knuckle straighter and prevents the nail from taking such a beating. It works like a charm and it’s nice to know I don’t have to sacrifice my toenails.