Can someone explain running your toenails off? I didn't know this was a "thing" for runners.
Friction. It can be caused by a variety of things (shoes are too small/big, downhill running, running form, socks, etc.), but it's from repeated friction on the nail. It only happens for me, during my races of longer distance. Mostly marathons. I know some people will get black toenails, from their toe repeatedly hitting the front of their shoe. I've never had that happen. I lose one toenail (the smaller nail next to my big toe), because I get a blister under the nail.
Wow, I had no idea. I'm not nearly at marathon shape, but this kind of scares me into not wanting to even attempt one. Is it super painful?
Friction. It can be caused by a variety of things (shoes are too small/big, downhill running, running form, socks, etc.), but it's from repeated friction on the nail. It only happens for me, during my races of longer distance. Mostly marathons. I know some people will get black toenails, from their toe repeatedly hitting the front of their shoe. I've never had that happen. I lose one toenail (the smaller nail next to my big toe), because I get a blister under the nail.
Wow, I had no idea. I'm not nearly at marathon shape, but this kind of scares me into not wanting to even attempt one. Is it super painful?
Don't let it discourage you! I run with plenty of people who have never had this happen. It seems to be a 50/50 split. It hurts. There are races when I have only felt it at the finish. I immediately drain it. You have to since it's lifting the nail. Once I do that, it's fine. For my race this past November, it was like an ice pick to the toe at mile 24. After about a 1/4 mile, I didn't notice it as much. At that point in the race, everything hurts, so what's a few more miles with a painful toe? LOL
I'm not sure what causes it for me. My theory is either 1) Something w/my socks. Or 2) Once I get tired in the later miles, I lift my toes, causing the nail to rub on the top of the shoe. It's hard to pinpoint, because I'm fine during training runs up to 23 miles, but every marathon, I lose a toe nail. It's quite possible that you will never have an issue.
I mean, maybe just keep a bag packed, in case he goes nuclear and starts rocking a man bun or Zubaz pants or something? Just keep your options open, that's all I'm saying.