Sore toes

[Agelesslass]

Lately, I’ve had really sore toes where my nails are. I noticed some of my nails are going white from the top down and look like they may come off. This has only happened since I’ve started doing long distance running, 10 to 17 miles. Anyone else have this happen as a result of running?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

I’ve had some dodgy nails in the past Ageless, and yes they’ve generally fallen off (nice). I find that keeping them as short as possible helps a lot though, and I always clip them before a long run just in case. 👍

The obvious thing to mention is to make sure your trainers have a wide enough toe box (I’m sure yours do), as squashed toes aren’t happy.

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

My shoes feel quite comfortable and I’ve got quite think socks in my size. If I get bigger size shoes wouldn’t they give me blisters as they would’ve too loose? Thanks for the reply 👍👍😀

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Yes.

It is likely that your shoes are not big enough to accommodate your feet swelling during the longer runs, although it could also be caused by your socks pulling on your toes. If you are running down hills during the runs, your feet may be slipping forward in your shoes causing your toes to hit the insides of the shoes.

Suggestions would include going up a half or even a full size in shoes, find a shoe with a wider and deeper toe-box, try different socks - toe socks often help, but you will definitely need more shoe space for them! And if you are not tying your laces in a heel lock, try that.

Heel lock example: locklaces.com/blogs/resourc...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Yep! My shoes are huge, but I think it is the way I was wearing my socks, bunched up at the end of my toes that was causing the problem. Haven't managed to try that theory out yet tho!

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

😱 No, have never had any toenail issues, and have trained and run a HM! My running shoes are 1.5 sizes bigger than my “normal” shoes, and I always use the heel lock hole on my shoe to keep my heel in place. Do you think the issue could be with your shoe size now you are running for longer? Hope you resolve this - and hang on to your toenails. 🤞 xx

[Hidden]

I echo what everyone else said about shoe size. You need at least a thumb’s width between your big toe and the end of the shoe. Check width too. I got a black toenail when I did my 10.5 mile run in August. In that instance it was the lacing as I’d done it too tight at the front of the shoe. All my toes were pressured from underneath at the front.

[backintime 10 Miles]

I got this on both big toes from some normal shoes that were compressing my toes in the summer (but were fine in winter)

I lost both nails, but they grew back fine

[Hidden in reply to backintime]

The one I lost was blackened a bit under two years ago running up and downhill in too narrow trail shoes. It’s never recovered properly. Boo

[backintime 10 Miles in reply to Hidden]

Aww - mine happened in a day - the day I had to walk instead of getting the bus, I got home and they were really sore and a couple of months later, nails growing underneath pushed them off

[Hidden in reply to backintime]

Mine didn’t fall off first time, just lurked looking black and silky till it fell off. Actually it’s taken a beating three times: it went black again after my 15k charity run in April then fell off. Then again after the 10.5 miles in August. I must remember to keep the laces loose enough at the front of the foot on Sunday!

[backintime 10 Miles in reply to Hidden]

wow, yours really have taken a bashing!

I will pray for good toenail vibes for Sunday

[Hidden in reply to backintime]

Haha thanks! Supplications to the god of toenails

[backintime 10 Miles in reply to Hidden]

I'll cut mine and burn the bits as an offering

[Hidden in reply to backintime]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[SlowLoris]

Downhill repeats did mine. Not the shoes at fault, just bad running form. I focus a lot more now on how I’m running.

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to SlowLoris]

Thankyou, maybe I should do the same xx

[SlowLoris in reply to Agelesslass]

Definitely check the shoes first though.

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to SlowLoris]

I will. Looks like a lot of you have this problem too

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Say goodbye to those nails 🤣

Bigger shoes and lock laces technique 👍🏽

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Yikes!!!! 👍👍😀

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

I have only lost one and it's how I discovered that shoe brand sizing charts are definitely not the same! It only started when I was running more than 1:10, it felt tender one time then 1:20 really sore and boom it went black and finally fell off. I went up another half size in that brand. I'm now paranoid about that foot and if anything my newest shoes might be too big (yet another brand!) But I'd rather risk that than too small.

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks. Scared of too if as done I’d my friends have big blisters from them

[Hidden]

A word in heel lock lacing. If it works for you it’s fantastic. I can’t use it as it gives me Achilles pain.