Are yall losing yall’s toenails from running?
I only got 6 left 
I only do 2 short runs (6-7 mi) and 1 long run (up to 15 mi) every week. I’m sure I’ll lose all my toenails sooner or later because I’m training for an IM.
The mizunos I got were fitted by the expert running store in Austin all the hardcore runners recommend, so I think they’re the correctly fitted…
Guess it’s time to say goodbye to flip-flops and sandals, summer in Texas will be brutal.
You are not in the right size shoes if you keep losing toenails. They may be the right model for you but they are too small.
I’m assuming they already went up a half size from your every day shoe size.
First, go back and get a pair that is a half size larger, then be sure your toenails are trimmed back so they aren’t bumping on the top of the shoe. They can either be bruised by the toes banging against the front of the toe-box or being rubbed on the top. Another half size up will likely solve it.
I’ve never lost a toenail during training, only during long races. I’ve lost and regrown many and it sucks.
my nails are always trimmed, I HATE overgrown/non-trimmed toenails that stick out.
so if my shoes are already 1/2 a size bigger, you’d recommend getting shoes 1 entire size bigger…?
Yes. I have one pair that is a full size larger for long races where my feet might swell and they are great. I also wear them on hot days.
Some people and models work best a full size larger. The half size is kinda a “rule” but not everyone follows the rules 
3 are on their way out. The long runs have begun!
Two of the things I have always thought very strange in our sport.The first one is losing toenails while using shoes that are apparently designed for running in.The other one is getting a rash on your neck from a wetsuit that is designed for swimming in.
I just do not understand how this happens to people and for the record I have had neither injury in all my 24 years of triathloning.
Maybe I just don’t train enough for the overuse to happen.
I will include this exception.I totally understand losing toenails as a result of doing stupid running events like Badwater,Western States,Leadville,all other 100milers,trans-continental runs or long Ultra-tris where your feet can swell to a few sizes above normal.
Just ask my mate Ferg Hawke who has some serious toenail action going on in this clip during Badwater.
www.thedistanceoftruth.com/trailer.htm
.
.
You are not in the right size shoes if you keep losing toenails. They may be the right model for you but they are too small.
It’s not necessarily shoe length. I lost 6 of my toenails (some of them more than once) while training for my first marathon.
Eventually, I realized the problem was that Asics were too narrow for me feet. The narrowness of the shoe was causing my foot to rotate outward, and my toes to turn down.
I got wider shoes (Brooks) and my problem was fixed.
I ran 4 marathons, an IM, 2 HIMs and about 15 other races last year and I still have all my nails. Like all the other folks on this post, I’ll tell you your shoes don’t fit.
You either need a wide or longer toebox in your shoes. Your nails should not be coming off from 6-15 miles runs. Ultramarathons are a different matter. You also might look at tightening your laces… loose laces can allow your foot to move forward during the stride and slam your toenails into the toe box. FYI I make sure all my running shoes have a thumbs width space from the big toe to the tip of the toe box.
I only have 1/4 of a toenail from running a marathon with shoes which were too tight. The bugger probably is never going to grow back.
Big sign of overstriding: your shoe hits the ground out in front of you and stops, but your foot keeps sliding forward inside the shoe. Landing under your center of mass instead of reaching out in front of you will minimize, if not stop toenail damage…IMO
Ten.
Two of the things I have always thought very strange in our sport.The first one is losing toenails while using shoes that are apparently designed for running in.The other one is getting a rash on your neck from a wetsuit that is designed for swimming in.
I can easily manage a neck rash just from swimming in the pool in an ordinary one piece bathing suit. Hyperflexible shoulders + a tendency to maybe pull the shoulder a little too far back toward the spine on recovery= swimsuit hickeys. And I just don’t do enough pool time anymore to really get that part of my stroke dialed back in to prevent the rash.
If I ever did the wetsuit thing, the result would probably be enough blood from the neck wound to chum for sharks.
never lost any toenails from running, that’s after 60-some marathons and a dozen ultras…
so something is wrong with your shoes/fitting.
On some shoes I’ll cut the toebox to get more room - two slits, one each side of the laces, will usually do it.
Never even a bruise. Your shoes don’t fit.
Your shoes do not fit.
I would go back to the store and get re-fitted by a different person. It sound like they need to look at what your foot is doing with when weighted vs unweighted. With many folks it is not uncommon to see at least a 1/2 size or more change in legnth when the foot is weighted vs unweighted. This change is natural, but when there is a change of 1/2 a size or more it is challanging to get a good fit - plus feet are always different sizes right to left. It may not be in overall legnth, but in volume, heel to ball, etc. It is easy to see the difference with a Brannock measuring devise. If the person did not measure both feet while sitting and again while standing, its time to find a new fitter.
The foot has a different shape when unweighted, standing and during propulsion. If your foot is elongating everytime you put it on the ground and again when you toe-off then it is hard to get a shoe to fit correctly. A firm insole like Superfeet or Sole can help with the elongation controlling some of that movement which will give a better fit.
I got nine. One is gone forever from a non running (I think) related injury. Nobody really notices when i go barefoot. but you should get shoes that fit.
I think some people like having injuries like this, they show it off like it’s a medal of honor, a sign of “I’m more hardcore than you,” instead of just switching shoes and figuring out what the cause of the problem is.
By all means, more power to you, enjoy your nasty toes. I’ll be less hardcore, run the same distance, and enjoy never having lost a toenail because of poorly fitting shoes.
haha NO I’d rather have ALL my toenails and be able to wear sandals without grossing people out…
do you have different shoes for different distances?
Here’s what I posted after IMFL last year… I stuggle with keeping toenails… I’ve bought new shoes, different sizes, focused on techique… the pic should be viewed AFTER lunch… I have not found a magic answer… Best of Luck.