Ugh. Runner's Toe.

annieee

This is my first black toe sitution. So, is there anything I can do?

It turned black after the My Sport 10k and it's a little tender and swollen now after upping my mileage slightly at weekend and a track session last night.

I have a 10k race at the weekend and a training night tomorrow night. I'm hoping the toe won't affect running. :eek:

Cartman78

Haven't had this problem myself but my neighbour used to have massive problems with toenails falling out etc.

According to him, it was all down to footwear - I think he went to a specialist running shop in Cork and has been grand since he changed runners. The problem was related i think to a narrow midsection on the particular brand of runners he was wearing

annieee

Cartman78 wrote: »

Haven't had this problem myself but my neighbour used to have massive problems with toenails falling out etc.

According to him, it was all down to footwear - I think he went to a specialist running shop in Cork and has been grand since he changed runners. The problem was related i think to a narrow midsection on the particular brand of runners he was wearing

Oh really? I'm wearing Mizunos which I chose because they were the widest in the shop.

Isn't it normal for one foot to be slightly bigger than the other? I'm thinking my left foot is the bigger one, and the longest toe rubs off the top of my shoe.

I will have to go up half a size.

Is there anything I can do in the meantime I wonder?

Cartman78

Your best bet is to keep checking the responses on this thread - I think this is a relatively common problem so I guess someone should be along with useful advice soon.

I used to wear Kayano's years ago and after a few weeks my big toes would have made holes in the mesh of the shoe at the front. My toes never turned black though. Recently found out, when i mentioned this to my physio in passing, that this was due to my foot being pushed forward by the cushioning etc. in the shoe. I think it's all about finding the right shoe for your feet so might be worth trying a specialist running shop or asking your physio (particularly if they're running fanatics like my one)

EC1000

I've lost 4 big toe nails in the past 3 or 4 years (each one twice... I dont have 4 big toes or anything freaky like that:)) and I'm afraid there is little you can do except let nature take its course. Within about 3 months you should have a nice shiny new nail!

For what its worth, I could run for miles in my asics without any toe issues but I had a worn out pair that I used to use for 5 a side which caused all my issues.

annieee

New runners seem to be the solution. My OH will have heart failure.

Oryx

Ive had it happen twice, but only on longer runs. It seems to be just my foot shifting in the shoe and bumping the toe. I wear my running shoes a size bigger than my normal shoes, that helps in my case, ages ago when I started I had shoes in the 'proper' size and kept stubbing my toes.

nerraw1111

Shoes could be slightly too small. Your toes swell a bit during running so they could be getting abit squashed.

Although you might a size 8 normally, your running shoe needs to be that bit bigger, maybe half a size bigger.

annieee

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Shoes could be slightly too small. Your toes swell a bit during running so they could be getting abit squashed.

Although you might a size 8 normally, your running shoe needs to be that bit bigger, maybe half a size bigger.

I guess so. I had them properly fitted in Amphibian King. They are my first pair of runners though, so I'll go up a half size next time.

Thanks!

Jupiter36

I had this problem last year; turned out that the shoes were too big. I bought a new pair (to match my shiny new nails!) in my usual size and have not had any problem since. One toe on my left foot gets a little tender but not black and the advice has been to ensure that the nail is clipped short at all times. Tis working so far.

rainbow kirby

annieee wrote: »

I guess so. I had them properly fitted in Amphibian King. They are my first pair of runners though, so I'll go up a half size next time.

Thanks!

If you're having trouble with shoes being too narrow, if you're at least a size 7 try mens shoes - they are a bit wider than womens ones, and usually come in better colours.

annieee

Jupiter36 wrote: »

I had this problem last year; turned out that the shoes were too big. I bought a new pair (to match my shiny new nails!) in my usual size and have not had any problem since. One toe on my left foot gets a little tender but not black and the advice has been to ensure that the nail is clipped short at all times. Tis working so far.

I was at GP yesterday for something else and showed her the toe as well and interestingly enough she suggested the shoes were too big, and the toe was slamming off the top as I ran.

Thanks for all replies. New shoes seems to be on the cards.

littlebug

I have two of them. They first turned black last summer and were nearly back to normal but a race 2 weeks ago took it's toll and they're as bad as ever again. I've since switched back to the mizunos so hopefully they'll recover. I thought it would be the longest toe that would take the damage but in my case it's the second (but not longest) one.