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Sore toenail

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kelly_gc Feb 2013 9:45am, 13 Feb 2013 First-time poster!!	0 kelly_gc Hi Yesterday I ran 4.5 miles in new trail shoes. I think the shoes might be slightly too snug as they have rubbed my toenail (only on one foot) and it feels bruised. It isn't discoloured or coming away from the bed it just feels a little tender. I plan a 6 mile off roader tomorrow and so am going to try a couple of things to stretch the shoes slightly and see if that helps. But, does anyone have any suggestions on how I can reduce the tenderness and/or protect the nail to allow me to run tomorrow without further damaging the nail and making it sore? TIA
Ultracat Feb 2013 11:46am, 13 Feb 2013 10,247 posts	0 Ultracat Welcome to fetch. Do you have an older pair of running shoes you could wear for your run tomorrow? I have lost count of the number of black toenails I have had.
geordiegirl Feb 2013 1:42pm, 13 Feb 2013 6,257 posts	0 geordiegirl Hi there welcome to fetch. Don't suppose the shop you got your trainers from will exchange for you? I buy from sweatshop as they offer this. It's very likely your trainers are on the small side so as UC suggests maybe wear your old ones if you still have them or also check your toenails are super short. Not sure what else you could try as putting protection on your tie would further reduce the room in your trainers. Hope you get sorted
Autumnleaves Feb 2013 2:22pm, 13 Feb 2013 1,724 posts	0 Autumnleaves Hi & welcome to Fetch - I've just got my first bruised toenail - I tripped and stubbed the end whilst on a run last week - but it hasn't been aggravated by running since. I'd agree with GG that your shoes might be too small - I was always advised that you should be able to place a thumb over the top between the end of your big toe and the end of the trainers - this has always worked for me. You could maybe try the individual corn plasters that chemists sell for a bit of padding in the meantime.
kelly_gc Feb 2013 5:46pm, 13 Feb 2013 2 posts	0 kelly_gc Thanks for your feedback everyone. Sadly since the trainers ended up covered in mud from my run I doubt very much they will exchange them :-/ Given that we have had snow today and rain is predicted overnight I'm thinking off road is going to be way too muddy tomorrow and so I'm going to stick to the roads. On the plus side my road shoes are lovely, comfy and spacious so should be fine. In the meantime I will be trying out lots of things to stretch these trainers out. They are currently in the freezer with ice bags shoved inside to try and expand the fabric a little. Fingers crossed.......
clairevmc Feb 2013 6:06pm, 13 Feb 2013 2,010 posts	0 clairevmc Oh dear - I've lost so many toenails from running. One suggestion to try to stretch your trainers - heat them slightly (with a hairdryer) and when they are warmer and more stretchy stuff, really stuff and cram paper into them to hold the heat and keep them stretched.
Garfield Feb 2013 7:44pm, 13 Feb 2013 2,424 posts	0 Garfield Yes, how do the shoes fit? If there isn't enough space at the top, I find my toenails bruise terribly. Big toe and index toe in particular. Occasionally I wear toe socks and that helps to prevent my index toe (my terminology;)) from being squashed by my big toe.
kelly_gc Feb 2013 4:56pm, 14 Feb 2013 4 posts	0 kelly_gc Thanks to everyone for their advice. I went out on the road this morning in my comfy road shoes with only a little light padding on my toenail and it held up just fine - sadly I can't say the same for my stooooppppid right leg I will continue with my mission to stretch the trail shoes. Oh, happy valentine's everyone
mulbs Feb 2013 5:19pm, 14 Feb 2013 8,039 posts	0 mulbs Welcome I have to keep my toenails super short or the Garfield-named "index tow" which is slightly longer than my big toe (go figure) feels v bruised. I tried going up a half size but then the fit in the rest of the shoe was wrong and caused other problems. If I keep the mileage reasonable and the nails short then I'm usually ok. Good luck with the toes and the running
Debart Feb 2013 1:10pm, 16 Feb 2013 58 posts	0 Debart I suffer with brusied index toe on my left foot. I've just bought x socks and the toe in these socks is much more comfortable than any other sock, worth the extra money.