Did big-toenail hematoma kill Pheidippides?
Unfortunately, at least one of my big toenails is not likely to survive its run-in with last weekend’s San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon.
Among the known perils of long-distance running, after heat- exhaustion, heart-attack, and hyponatremia, this is the affliction I most hoped to never experience. It’s not an uncommon problem. At pre- race expos I’ve seen singlets on sale emblazoned with slogans along the lines of “toenails are for sissies”.
I’m not clear on the exact cause of the problem, but I do know that during a long-distance race it is common for a participant’s feet to swell up to a full shoe size. I suspect this leads the big toenails to rub against the front of the shoe, levering themselves bit by bit from the nailbed below. If this is the case, maybe it would be possible to redesign running shoes to have expandable front-top mesh made of a low- friction material (Teflon thread?), and to avoid designing shoes with a upturn of the firm sole at the front to allow for more foot expansion. I’d guess running shoes just aren’t designed with 20+ mile runs in mind.
I can’t wait for my toenails to get on with it and either fall off or heal, as they’re uncomfortable enough to rob me of sleep and they add extra pain to my training runs. That left one especially. Begone chitinous tormentor!
