I’ve always been baffled by the way long distance runners fetishise the weird stuff running does to your body: the blisters, the chafing, the toenails turning black...
But when I peeled off my socks after Saturday’s 10-miler, and found my very first tiny blood blister, my very own subungual haematoma, clinging to my middle toe like a baby slug... well, I haven’t gone completely mad. I felt a normal, appropriate amount of disgust. Honest. But a small part of me is secretly pleased. My black toe is a result of all the hard work I’ve been putting in; clear, revolting proof that I really am logging the miles.
Still, I want a marathon medal for a souvenir, not a row of discoloured, misshapen digits. Cue a call to specialist podiatrist, Sajjad Afzal of the London Clinic. He advised:
- Make sure that whatever shoe size you wear, you go up one size bigger for your running shoes: the last (or base) of a trainer is always cut smaller than the last of a day shoe.
- A lot of people slap on the thickest socks they can find, but this only cramps the toes and make cuts and blisters more likely. Go for double-layered socks like the 1000 Mile range or Hilly Twin Skins.
- Cut nails a couple of nights before your long run - square, not rounded, to avoid ingrown toenails and cuts.
- A layer of Vaseline on your feet can help avoid the friction that causes blisters but don’t stick anything between your toes - you need this area to be dry to avoid infections.
So there you go, some sensible tips on how to make sure my first haematoma is also my last. So long, slugs.
