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The Grossest Runners’ Feet You’ve Ever Seen

Sometimes, running can be rough on your dogs. May we recommend a pedicure?

By Runner's World Editors
Baby boys (0-1 months) feet
Mike Kemp//Getty Images

My feet get regular Epsom salt baths, and I wear sandals as much as possible to keep them dry. It was disgusting. You would think we would learn not to ask runners for photos of their feet, but we didn't learn. We asked again. And, once again, you all delivered with a plethora of truly disgusting photos. Here are 27 of the best (or should we say worst) for you to browse through and rate.

Warning: Don't look through this slideshow if you're squeamish or if you just finished your lunch. The following feet look nothing like adorable baby ones on this slide.

Amateur foot surgery following Thames Path 100 mile race black toenails and blisters resource pages for tips on how to avoid those particular ailments. Also, make sure that your running shoes How To Train Calves. is a good place to start CA Notice at Collection Want to keep this from happening to you? Visit our.

1

Katie Fowler

Katie Fowler
Katie Fowler

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
I got this lovely blister after running my first half marathon this February! I have always been blister prone, but this one was the worst I've had.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
After limping through the airport and around my college campus the next day, I used a sterilized needle to drain it, which was difficult because the blister formed under a callus, then kept it clean and bandaged and took it easy for a week. I went back to running the next week, but it took about three weeks to completely heal.

2

Elizabeth Kelly

Elizabeth Kelly
Elizabeth Kelly

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Health - Injuries.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
How did you rehab them.

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3

Kelly Heyer

Kelly Heyer
Kelly Heyer

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Lots of long runs.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I didn't.

4

Ed Briggs

Ed Briggs
Ed Briggs

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
About 45 miles per week on roads and trails…And gravity.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I didn't. Toenails don't have any practical use do they?

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5

Kevin Murphy

Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Recumbent elliptical so I could put my surgical foot up and still get a cardio workout in.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
Lots of tender walking. Band-Aid Advanced Healing Blister bandages helped big time here. After this race, I switched to minimalist shoes and haven't had blisters like that since.

[112 Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore]

6
Karen Pannell
Karen Pannell

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
The toenail started off turning black, and I assumed it would fall off. That toenail kept hanging on for dear life and instead of falling off a hematoma grew underneath the nail and kept getting bigger and bigger. Then the ugly thing in the picture formed! Meanwhile, the same thing was starting with my second toe on the other foot!

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I went to a podiatrist and he debrided both second toenails saying they SHOULD grow back normal. He was wrong. Both second toes still have dried up hematomas underneath them and one of them turned black again after my race last weekend!!

Want to keep this from happening to you? Visit our black toenails resource page.

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7

David Brewington

David Brewington
David Brewington

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
I ran (and completed) the Keys100 on May 16 and 17 (32 1/2 hours) without stopping to change my shoes or socks (a bad idea, in retrospect!).

RW+ Membership Benefits?
Four of the toenails were so badly damaged from the salty bath in my socks that they had partially separated. I kept the toes dry (except for showering) for four days and at that point I was able to peel the nails back toward the tip of each toe. I then used scissors to trim the dried nail and skin away. Three days later I got a manicure and everything was good to go!

8

Kaye McLagan

Kaye McLagan
Kaye McLagan

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Training for the 30K Around The Bay and various trail runs

RW+ Membership Benefits?
Just let the toenail fall off! Who needs them anyway?? No pedicure for me this year, I may scare the esthetician away!

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9

Annie C.

Annie C.
Annie C.

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Training for the Miami Half Marathon in Chicago...during winter...with lots of snow...and slush...and -30 degree windchill. I had frostbite on all 10 toes, and lost four toenails.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I saw a really great podiatrist who removed the dead toenails, and shaved off the frostbite.

10

Abby Coers

Abby Coers
Abby Coers

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
These feet have run over 1,000 miles for several years, including seven marathons, and one foot has also gone through bunion surgery. Bruised and missing toenails, calluses, and scars...proud of these nasty feet!

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I am extra careful, so I don't stub the fresh blisters. I "trim down" calluses but I really don't do much. My boyfriend even refuses to touch my feet in fear he will lose a toenail!

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11

Matt Wood

Matt Wood
Matt Wood

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
About 45 miles per week on roads and trails…And gravity.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I pulled two nails off when they were ready, drained the blood from a big toe on accident when I squeezed it too hard, a few Epsom salt soaks. But most importantly, I keep pounding the pavement!

12

Madison Fowler

Madison Fowler
Madison Fowler

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
My feet got that way strictly from running!

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I did absolutely nothing to rehab them except for continuing to run.

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13

Colin

Colin
Colin

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Running.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
Massage.

14

Kelly Spaulding

Kelly Spaulding
Kelly Spaulding

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
buying the right running shoes.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I took a week off, popped and drained the blister, and eventually removed the toenail.

Amateur foot surgery following Thames Path 100 mile race blisters resource page.

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15

Chris C.

Chris C.
Chris C.

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
After my first trail race. You don't feel it until it's over!

RW+ Membership Benefits?
Years of backpacking, trail crews, and running.

16

Maggie Graham

Maggie Graham
Maggie Graham

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
80 Best Hydration Packs!

RW+ Membership Benefits?
How I Resumed Running After Compartment Syndrome.

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17

David Dorn

David Dorn
David Dorn

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
CA Notice at Collection!

RW+ Membership Benefits?
No rehab…they just eventually fall off!

18

Ashley Anderson

Ashley Anderson
Ashley Anderson

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Hood to Coast 2014. Too many miles in too short of time with my poor toes squished into the way too narrow top of my shoes.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
I had to drain three blood blisters from under my toenails. And I had to remove two nails completely. Band-Aids helped too.

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19

Cheryl

Cheryl
Cheryl

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Started running in 2005...next thing I know I needed surgery to cut and lengthen tendons and repinning of dislocated toes.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
The Grossest Runners’ Feet You’ve Ever Seen.

20

Pete Meighan

Pete Meighan
Pete Meighan

Miles, 3 River Crossings, 0 Foot Problems: Here’s What I Wore?
Health - Injuries.

RW+ Membership Benefits?
No rehab. It's an ongoing issue. Hasn't stopped me yet.

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Blue shoes belonging to an injured runner
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