Nasty!

Yes, this is absolutely disgusting, but I cannot resist adding it to my blog. Since my purple toe incident (which, by the way is looking scarier by the day!), my sister has been meaning to ask why runners lose toenails.

Let me start by saying that I haven't lost a toenail...yet, but this Ironman could be the end of that streak.

So, Sharon worked her magic on google and the first thing to pop up was this picture on someone's blog - with a write up about the guy who created this gem.



You are welcome to click on the image to enlarge it, but I'm not responsible for injuries from passing out, etc.

Here is the bit from the article:

Jan Ryerse made a necklace out of busted toenails from marathon running, yikes-
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Ryerse, who estimates he's run more than 50,000 miles, also says ultrarunning gives him a profound sense of well-being. It helps him sleep better and raises his energy.

But, he says, an ultrarunner's body will do some strange things in an ultramarathon. For instance, hands and feet swell to the point where a runner may have to change into larger shoes. And they frequently lose toenails.

"They get black from pounding into the top of your shoes," Ryerse says. "I have a toenail necklace. From a distance it looks kind of nice. It looks like it's made of seashells."

Most ultrarunners will tell you that the shared experience of mentally and physically battling the incomprehensible is by far the biggest draw.

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Ok, so I warned you with the title - it's nasty. My stomach has been tumbling the whole time I typed this entry. I will say, however, that I saw some FAR more disgusting pics when reading further on the whole toenail deal. One pic showed a guy pulling off a nail with pliers. Oh my goodness! Stop it...ow! ow! ow!