What's happening to my feet ?? - Beginners

Lorraine Carey

30/03/2003 at 19:34

I hope I am not alone here but I seem to be losing my toe nails (very attractive !!) Been running aprox 8 mths doing 20-25 miles a week, I have bought running shoes socks the works but my feet are a mess. Is this just part of the deal or has anyone got any tips ??

Answers on a postcard please ...Raine

Plum

pirate

30/03/2003 at 20:17

Ive got 4 or 5 left you are welcome to if they will fit!!!!!!

Smitch

30/03/2003 at 21:36

My toenails look disgusting. Looking forward to the Summer, open toed sandals, nail varnish etc etc.....nice

Are you wearing the right size shoes Lorraine? I got mine from a decent running shop. I think you still get poorly toe nails though, even if the shoes are correct. I know I do.

30/03/2003 at 22:10

It's pretty certain your shoes are not fitting properly. It's time to change them anyway (400-600 miles) because the cushioning will now be 'dead' and increase injury risk. Go to a decent running shop and get advice. As a guide, you should have an end of finger thickness between the toes and the end of the shoe when both are cold. Your feet expand quite dramatically when running and by as much as 10% during a marathon.
JJ

Donna C

31/03/2003 at 11:03

I got my shoes from Runners Needs and they fit well. My feet are definitely a mess still though. Although only one black toenail (over 40 miles a week running). Am too looking forward to wearing sandals!

You should see my boyfriend's toes! I think he has one or two toenails left.

Bod

31/03/2003 at 11:25

Wear the mark of a runner with pride.

Am often in process of losing/regrowing toenails, usually 2nd toe. Recommend also to ensure socks not pulled on too tight, pull 'em back down to leave 1/2 inch slack at toes

31/03/2003 at 12:06

Donna.
Now there's an offer I can refuse.
JJ

Salad dogger

06/04/2003 at 18:54

I am a chiropodist for the local health sevice.

I would recommend you uptake your protien and calcium intake by 10% i.e. red meat etc.

The best thing is to soak your feet in full fat milk after you run, this will ensure the toenails will absorb the calcium and therefore healthy feet.

Hope this works for you it does for my clients.

Plum

pirate

06/04/2003 at 19:00

Can you drink the milk afterwards or is it only suitable for visitors.

Bodjit - Training very slowly

06/04/2003 at 19:18

I presume that's if it hasn't turned to cheese, otherwise it would depend on whether you were feeding the visitors.

Plum

pirate

06/04/2003 at 19:21

Thats ok then!!!!!!!!!

08/04/2003 at 11:20

Lorraine,

know how you feel as I'm about to lose my right big toenail for the second time in 12 months (did anyone tell you they take 10 months to grow back?)

The advice about size of shoe is really important. I'm normally a size 5 - 5.5 but my running shoes are 6.5 (New Balance which seem to come up small).

This might be really gruesome but you need to have a look at your toenails as soon as you realise there is damage and see if there is a) blood or b) other fluid swelling under them. The best way to avoid losing them is to relieve the pressure under the nail as soon as you realise there is some building up, then tape them down with sports tape. this prevents the nail lifting away from the nail bed as if this happens near the cuticle the nail 'dies' at the root and falls off. Chiropodists might have a fit reading this but it does work.

Relieving the pressure for me involves a 1mm drill bit and a needle (both sterilised). If you've not thrown up yet and are still interested I can tell you how to do it but it is NOT for the faint-hearted or squeamish. However, guarantees instant pain/swelling relief if you hit the right spot.

Bear in mind that if you damage your nail bed permanently your nails might not grow back at all!

Donna C

08/04/2003 at 14:01

But New Girl on the Blocks - what do you do if you're vegan?

trish turkoglu

08/04/2003 at 16:33

good to hear i'm not the only one .i lost the toenail on my 2nd toe(it's longer than the big one)a new nail is growing but it has a strange dent in it ....will it ever be normal again? sigh!

Helen T

08/04/2003 at 17:49

Friend regularly lost hers despite good well fitting shoes. Has only stopped since switch to marathon training in Sauconys instead of NBs, in spite of massive mileage increase.

SELFISH GIT!!!

08/04/2003 at 21:08

Re soaking your feet in milk ..... I've always been of the opinion, that manufacturers put vitimins in shampoo as a sales gimmick and the only benefit you'd get is if you actually drank it (don't follow this advice). Hair and nails are dead cells anyway. I too lose nails regularly but I was told last Saturday at the Paris Marathon Expo, my shoes are one size too small. Im needing new shoes very soon so I'll give it a try.
I wonder, if I rub Guinness on my chest next time I'm out for a pint will I get drunk quicker?

Monique

pirate

08/04/2003 at 23:04

Jim the Plum that did make me laugh out loud.

I currentlyhave two black tonails- yes my shoes fit and I lace them specially to stop foot slipping to front of shoe. Unfortunately my toes curl under so the nails do suffer and after several times of them falling off they are thickened and quite frankly horrible. No one tells you this will happen when you start running. The other people who suffer are dancers and I have said before that you can buy jelly toes which are caps of bandage with a squashy silicone gel inside which fit over individual toes and really do help prevent blood blisters etc they are made by a company called Bunheads.

to cheer you up though I did see the three pairs of most ugly feet ever on The Peoples Book of Records a couple of weeks ago and mine came nowhere near being a peoples record.

10/04/2003 at 09:08

Monique,

where do you get those Bunhead things from. Am in desperate need due to poorly big toenail on right hand side - not sure whether due to original bruising or over-enthusiastic drilling (see earlier post) but cannot suffer torture any longer and keep up marathon training at the same time.

Do the REALLY work?

Helen - you said your friend switched to Saucony. What sort and which NB did she have before as mine are shredding my feet?

10/04/2003 at 12:29

I've been a beginner for years now and have never had any problems with my toenails. I've worn Saucony shoes (size 8 though my normal size is 6!) since my first waddle, third pair now and wouldn't consider any other brand. Interesting to see the name coming up a couple of times in this thread.

Cardiff Staggerer

10/04/2003 at 18:47

I'm so so so relieved to read this thread. I thought it was just me. Have found inspecting black toenail alarmingly intriguing but now my boyfriend wants to pull it off ( never having shown such a foot fetish before I am somewhat alarmed). My shoes fit properly and are comfy but the toenail's a goner.....can you get acrylics for toenails??