The dreaded black toes....

[tmbacon]

I am only logging 18-20 miles/week but am already getting black toes/blood blisters. I'm a half-size up from normal shoes, and am wearing thin non-cotton socks. I've tried experimenting with shoelace tying, ensuring that my foot is secure and not sliding from the heel and banging my toes on the shoe box. Still, I seem to be getting these blood blisters and black toes especially after long runs (8 miles or more).

I'm probably going to get another pair of shoes in a couple of weeks - I still have some mileage left in my Asics 2160's but would like another pair to 'overlap' and just to have handy. So I'll be sure to let the running store know what is going on here...maybe they'll have some ideas.

I always thought this would occur when mileage was much higher, like when training for a marathon (I'm not yet ready for that type of training). Is this normal to be getting black toes when logging in 18-20 miles/week? And is this just an adjusment period while I am slowly ramping up my mpw?

Thanks for any ideas/tips!!

 

[cloudnut220]

I have a black spot that appears on one of my toenails everytime I run further than 10 miles. It's one of my middle toes so I don't think it's a banging issue. I'm curious to see if anyone has suggestions.

 

[runner_princess]

I also have 2160s suffered from the issue ONLY in those shoes. I ended up replaced the stock insole with a plain, Superfeet brand insole, and it fixed the issue. I think the 2160 insole is "slippery" and that was the issue for me.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Definitely talk to the running store and see what they suggest. I had really bad blisters and lost a couple of toenails after my first marathon, and the Mizuno rep happened to be at my local store not long after and I was able to talk to him about my shoes. I'm actually now wearing a full size and a half larger than my regular shoes. (I wear an 8 or 8 1/2, but my running shoes are 10's, based on his recommendation.) It might not hurt to experiment with different sizes, especially if you like that particular shoe.

Good luck!

Jackie

 

[SAHDad]

On a contrary note - I am missing toenails, and probably will be until I either make the full transition to barefoot or Vibrams. I've tried different shoes, and increasing sizes, but I have a couple mild hammertoes, and no shoe is going to fix that. (I have noted that with the minimalist shoes, I get fewer toenail and blister issues, but I am not ready to switch to them full time.)

 

[carissanboys]

I developed two black toenails after running the half-marathon this year. I think it happened because I was wearing a new pair of socks and my feet were moving around too much. I ended up losing one of the nails a few weeks later and the other may still come off at some point. I hope to avoid a repeat performance at the marathon relay in January!

 

[ludari]

This is the norm for runners... Toned legs, strong heart, ugly feet.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

I just lost one of my toenails that became black after the Princess 1/2 in February. This happened to me while playing competitive tennis many years ago. I think some people are prone to this and it may not be caused by poor shoe fit or socks. I agree with lugari...."toned legs, strong heart and ugly feet"!

Happy Running!
Pam

 

[SAHDad]

Also, toenails are really optional equipment. At least a couple of ultrarunners have actually had theirs surgically removed. (And there are several more who make necklaces of their own toenails which have fallen off. )

 

[John VN]

Cutting my toenails way back seems to have resolved my black toenail issue.

 

[cewait]

Black Toes are a badge of honor! One should keep nails trimmed and assure that their running shoes have sufficient room in the toe box. However, most distance runners will lose a nail on occasion.

 

[tmbacon]

Thanks all, this is good stuff. Makes me feel a little bit better about my deformed, battered and bruised feet.

.....but making a necklace out of fallen-off toenails??? ACK!!

 

[OregonGirl]

I lost my first toenail yesterday to running - It was black/blue for awhile and then finally fell off - and I was all worried until I found this thread and realized it's due to being a distance runner. Now I am kinda proud and excited.

But surgically removing my toenails and creating a necklace out of them? Barf.

- Carey

 

[tmbacon]

Glad you found this thread Carey. And good timing - as it turns out I went to the running store over my lunch break today and the guy said my shoes were a 1/2 size too small. I switched over to New Balances and went up a whole size from my street shoes.

I think I'll really like these shoes too - although with me being 5 ft. 2 inches and 102 lbs. a size 9 shoe looks huge on me, lol

 

[pjpoohbear]

I wondered about this too, I am a new (started in january just moving at all again) walker/jogger and find that my longer 2nd toe will hurt and feel bruised after I do a 5k + workout. hmm, might have to look at the next size up, already a 10 and every few shoes come 10.5 so it might be the dreaded size 11 .

Pj

 

[tmbacon]

I wondered about this too, I am a new (started in january just moving at all again) walker/jogger and find that my longer 2nd toe will hurt and feel bruised after I do a 5k + workout. hmm, might have to look at the next size up, already a 10 and every few shoes come 10.5 so it might be the dreaded size 11 .

Pj

Yes, it could be possible. I am now a whole size up from my 'street' shoes, but any problems I had prior to these new bigger shoes are now gone!

BTW my 2nd toenail came off this morning after my run.....BLECH.

 

[pjpoohbear]

New Shoes ordered , double layer socks bought, good to go. fewer blisters and less sore toes!

Pj

 

[OregonGirl]

Tayna -

LOL, I have been eagerly anticipating when my left 2nd toenail is finally going to pop off. Right one already did. I keep showing my SO with giggles and glee and he just thinks I'm weird. I consider it an accomplishment - but I will NOT be creating any necklaces out of 'em, ew.

When it's time for new shoes perhaps I will look into an 8, since I generally wear a size 7 or 7.5 for street shoes. On the other hand, I don't mind the slight pain prior to losing a nail and I DO sort of like it when they pop off.

- Carey

 

[FireWoman]

I have a vision of getting a pedi after the Tink Half! LOL! My poor pretty nails. I will tip well.

I don't have black nails yet, but back in '01, I ran down a mountain trail (steep, forced run) for about 11 miles, and my big and pinky toenails all went black.

And to add, *vomit* at the thought of saving toenails.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I finally lost one, but it wasn't from running. I'm only at 5 miles. This one got really bruised during a soccer game, and funny enough I can't remember jamming it or being stepped on. That was back in late March, and it finally fell off a couple weeks ago. Luckily there was some sort of toenail underneath, but I feel like I need to wear socks whenever I'm in yoga.