All you first time runner’s out there, pay close attention. If you think running is not about shoes, it shows you have a lot to learn. The right shoe is essential to a runner’s success as well as keeping your feet from resembling that of an alligator.
My first marathon, I thought I could run in a pair of Nike cross trainers that were too small, and I’d never run in them before he race. I strictly used them at the gym
Mixed with a new pair of cushy socks I bought at the marathon expo the day before the race led to a super snug pair of shoes. Before the race began, I could barely feel my toes. I thought hey, this is the way it should be right? Wrong, wrong, wrong! 8 miles into the race, it felt like someone lit a match and placed it between each one of my toes. Since my legs had already gave out at mile 6 due to dehydration (a story for another blog), I’d had already started walking the marathon and step by step, my feet burned, ached and begged for mercy. I so desperately wanted to take my shoes off, go sit down, and call it a day but I kept on walking and finished the race in fine turtle fashion.
When I got home, I removed my shoes and socks and I knew it was bad but I didn’t expect each one of my toenails to resemble the color of an eggplant and I had blisters between each toe. We’ll discuss what to do about purple toenails in another blog but for now, if you don’t want to spend a month wearing clogs like me, make sure you select the proper shoes for your feet.
First, go to a good running specialty store like Top to Top or Front Runners and have them check out your feet. Some people like me have flat feet so certain running shoes kill my feet. I’m also as pigeon toed as a pigeon so I overpronate. Don’t expect me to explain that to you but it just means I need shoes that have more support than not. You’ll find that you may have to go through several shoe models and styles before you find one that really works. Always use this little wisdom: when you try on a shoe and you feel anything that feels uncomfortable, that feeling can intensify the longer you run which just equals more and more pain. Some shoes are not built for 26 miles and believe me, you’ll find that out real quick. The goal is to find a shoe that gives you the space you need in the toe box but not so much room that your foot is sliding around when you run. This causes bruised toenails just as a tight shoe will because your toes will constantly hit the front of your shoe. If that isn’t bad enough, you can start to develop blisters on your heel and then you’ve got some serious trouble ahead. Word to the wise; when you find a shoe that’s like magic, make sure you invest and buy more than one pair because trust me, shoe companies are in the business of making changes to your favorite models and it’s usually the smallest changes to that shoe model that will affect your foot in the strangest ways. And please ignore cost. Just because a shoe is more expensive, does not mean it’s a good shoe.
Losing toenails is a badge that says you’ve endured a marathon but wearing a medal around your neck says the same thing!
Save the lives of Toenails!
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