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1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 2 "helpful" answers available (7 pts)
Last post: Sep 28, 2009 3:18 AM by Karen69396 RSS
Karen69396 Rookie 2 posts since
Apr 18, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Sep 27, 2009 6:16 PM

Losing toenails from running.

I have been training for a 10K and am at my race distance.  I lost my one toe nail it swelled up and turned black first then it was numb and the nail came off.  A new one has grown in since then and is a little sore after my run but is still black too.  My shoes feel fine.  It is my right foot.  Could it be because that is maybe my dominent foot?  How do you make the nails stronger or prevent this from happening?

crl8686 Legend 689 posts since
Nov 11, 2007
Currently Being Moderated
1. Sep 27, 2009 6:50 PM in response to: Karen69396
Re: Losing toenails from running.

It's a bit unusual to lose toenails at 10K distance (more common at longer distances). Although your shoes feel fine, there may not be quite enough room in the toe box. Toenail damage arises if your toes jam into the front of the shoes as you run. The shoes may be sized a bit too small, or the toe box may be too shallow, especially if you do a fair amount of downhill running. If you have any "additions" inside your shoes, such as thicker insoles, that may also be a factor. As for the right foot...It is common to have one foot slightly larger than the other (by a quarter size or thereabouts). Is your right foot the larger foot?





"...I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do....I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't..." --- author unknown


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