The short answer: No.
I’ve worked at a local running store for over 6 years now and one of the most common questions is: “should I lose toenails while running?”
No.
One of the most important things I’ve learned is no matter the distance or amount you run, you should not have black toenails while running, and you should be losing toenails running. Blac toenails while running lead to loss of toenails. It’s a sign the shoe is too small or too narrow.
Black nails while running and toenail loss isn’t a sign of good training. It’s not a runner’s “rite of passage.” You are not a real runner once you have your first black nail or lose a toenail. In fact, losing toenails while running means the running shoe is ill fitting.
Finally, let’s not forget a toenail injury or runners toe is just gross. No one wants to go to the beach, missing half of their toenails.
How does a Lose of Toenails While Running Happen?
While running or working out, your feet tend to expand. It’s different for everyone, but most people’s feet swell a half size to full size (so yes, your feet are “bigger” after your done working out). It’s not just running long distance, but those who are on their feet all day like nurses or teachers.
When your feet expand, the top of your toenail starts jamming up against the front of the shoe. If your toenails continue to jam against the top of the shoe, they will bruise, turn black, and eventually fall off. When you think about it, you are jamming your toenails against a shoe hundreds or even thousands of times per run. Your toes usually turn black and blue, and then your toenail falls off.
Most people lose their biggest toe or second toenail (depending on your longest toe). If the shoe is not wide enough, you lose your pinkie toe. With injured toenails, you are more likely to get a fungal infection.
It doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go longer in a running shoe; you might just need to go wider or find a brand that fits your foot better.
Think about it this way: if you continue to punch your arm for an hour, it will bruise. It’s the same with your feet. It’s the same repetitive trauma.
Signs your running shoe fit is too small:
- Bruised, black toenails, and losing toenails running.
- Damage to the nail bed or nail plate.
- Toes going numb or tingling…(if your toes go numb the toe box is generally too narrow)
- The lateral side of your shoe gets a hole in it (the shoe is too narrow)
How do you solve the problem of losing toenails while running?
You should always go up a half size from your “normal” size. For instance, I wear a size 9.5 regular shoe. I wear a 10 or even 11 wide running shoe. You shouldn’t say: “I’ve always worn X size shoe.” Like clothing brands, every brand creates its running shoes differently. In the running industry, your running shoe size might differ anywhere from 1-2 sizes or even a difference in width.
Things to Keep in Mind with the Correct Size of Running Shoes:
- You should be able to wiggle all of your toes before, during, and after a run.
- Your casual shoe and running shoe size are not usually the same size.
- Your running shoe might “feel big,” but you want that extra space.
- Having a shoe a half size bigger doesn’t cause issues. Having a running shoe a half size too small can cause running injuries like plantar fasciitis or neuromas.
In short, getting your foot correctly measured at a running store can make a huge difference. You don’t need to lose toenails while running, no matter if you are training for a 5k or 24-hour run.
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Question for you:
Have you ever had black toenails or lost toenails running?
What running shoes do you currently wear?
I love this post!!! People think that black toe nails is a badge of honor for skiing too. And I always say 1) clip your toenails short 2) you probably don’t have the right size boots
http://www.themilestraveled.com
Hollie, okay. I have a bit of a problem with black toenail. It’s on my left foot and it is, indeed, the 2nd toe. I tend to stay in the same brand (I like the narrower feel), but when you mention fit, here’s my deal: I KNOW my right foot is longer than my left. I always try on a right shoe first, cuz I know if it’s long enough, the left shoe will be fine…but, I’ve never had any black toenail problems on my right foot.
I’ve always heard “go 1/2 to full size bigger” especially with distance shoes, but I hate having my foot slide around. The black toenail thing, to me, is not a badge of honor/rite of passage or anything like that. Sometimes, it’s not as bad depending on what shoe I’m wearing. But, I just viewed it as “that’s just the way it is” kinda deal.
I did make a half-hearted attempt to go 1/2 size bigger a couple of years ago. Maybe when my local running store allows costumers again, I’ll try to get a re-fit.
Thanks,
Scott
Hampton, VA
I would definitely get refitted and I know Runningect down in VA Beach/Norfolk is doing virtual fittings right now. The shape of the toe box makes a huge difference too. Some brands, the toe box is more pointy where others are more rounded so that can make a difference in toenails.
Thank you! I lost two toenails after running a downhill/flat half last November…. I’ve lost one other before a few years ago. I feel sad all (3 pairs) of my running shoes are my around my standard regular shoe size (all are size 8. I wear a size 6-8 in normal shoes depending on the brand). I typically wear Saucony ISO’s which have a wide large toe box – to me at least. I also have brooks gylcerins and Hokas. I’m unique in that I have hammer toes on all of my toes as well.
I’ll have to ask next time for a half size up when I need new shoes.
You might need wider, especially with hammertoes Kaitlin. A lot of Sauconys shoes use the ISO material. It’s definitely worth your while to try a half size bigger. The Glycerin typically runs narrow anyway so with hammertoes, a wider would probably be better.