Avoid Losing Toenails!
As most long distance runners know, it is not uncommon to lose a toenail…or two. It is caused by bruising that develops as a result of the repetitive impact between the toenail and the shoe and/or ground. As the nail grows, it lifts off from the nailbed underneath and can eventually fall off. So how can you avoid this from happening at all?
- Make sure you keep your toenails short. The longer the nail, the more likely it is to hit the ground or your shoe causing the bruising.
- Buy running shoes a half size larger than your usual size. This leaves a bit of extra room between the foot and the shoe, lessening the chance of impact.
- Check the shape of your shoes. Avoid shoes with a tapered or narrow toe-box, and look for shoes that have a square shaped toe-box.