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Believe it or not: Pedicures for runners

toesRunner can have pretty gnarly feet, often functioning without all ten toenails. Some of us can be attached to our calluses. I had a bad experience once when my calluses were removed during a pedicure, making for a very uncomfortable run the next day. I’ve painted my toenails, less because I’m a “girly-girl,” but more because it covers up any purple toenails, making them slightly more presentable.

It may sound extreme, but in some ways, a bruised toenail can be likened to a stress fracture. It occurs when the stress of the repeated impact is too much for the body to handle. In the medical world, it is called a subungual hematoma. When the nail bed bleeds, pressure can build up below the nail, eventually causing it to detach.

Runners put their feet through a lot and they deserve some pampering. This has started a trend of some salon’s offering “pedicures for runners” in which calluses are left on and nails are cut short and straight to prevent ingrowing.

Even if your local salon doesn’t offer a treatment specific to runners, you can get your own runner’s pedicure my simply being specific with you aesthetician. Explain you would prefer a foot massage to callus removal and would like your nails cut straight across, not rounded. If you have bruised nails, opt for a dark enough colour that it is hidden.

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