Am I the only one with this problem?
2009 November 10 (19:19)
categories: Athlete's Foot, Ugly Feet
The idea of barefoot running has made sense to me for a long time, but now — I admit I’m influenced by all the recent hoopla — I want to do it.
I get the feeling Ken Bob and others are rugged individualists (you’d have to be!) so maybe this wouldn’t bother you if it was you.
I have disgusting feet! I never go barefoot in public, because I’m embarrassed about my feet. Mostly, it’s a problem with fungus-ridden and deformed toenails (yuck!), which have resisted multiple forms of treatment. To be honest, I think the problem is rooted in my first marathon 25 yrs ago when I traumatized most of my toenails.
Anyhow, I’ve been tempted to wear the VFFs, if for no other reason than to spare me the embarrassment of showing my disgusting nails (I’ve come to prefer running with others). I have enough experience with these nails to know that barefoot running is not going to solve the cosmetic problem.
Has anyone else dealt with this ugly-foot-syndrome?
Comments
Comment
from climbhoser
Time 2009 November 12 Thu at 2:05 pm
What Ken Bob said. Your feet will grow prettier in the sun.
I do lots of skiing in the winter and my feet end with the snowmelt looking like horrible, ugly little things. Nails are yellow, starting to deform, and my skin looks like cottage cheese. With the sun out I go bare from snowmelt to snowfall, and they get prettier very quickly. I wear sandals when I’m forced to wear shoes, and actually get some pretty impressive sandal tans that chicks seem to dig. Fungus goes away, nails re-shape, and the skin goes tan again!
Just do it!
Comment
from Ryan Whitaker
Time 2009 November 13 Fri at 11:05 am
Hey – I’ve got the same problem with my right side big toe. I’ve had fungus issues with it for so many years I can’t remember when it began. I’ve tried all kinds of toe fungus creams and meds, nothing has helped. So I just forget about it and go on with life. At first I was self conscious about it, but now I just figure its no big deal. No one has thrown up yet after seeing my feet!
This reminds of when I first met my wife. She routinely wore different colors of socks; her right sock didn’t match her left sock. I mentioned it and she just brushed it off asking – how many people really look or notice such things? She’s right. Most people are so self-absorbed that they rarely look or notice much details. Of course, by running barefoot, you invite questions from people and many want to “see” your feet. Oh well, it is what it is.
Ryan – Vancouver, WA
Write a comment
You need to login to post comments!
Comment from Barefoot Ken Bob
Time 2009 November 11 Wed at 10:01 am
Well there have been countless people telling me that ugly feet is the reason they will “never” run barefoot. The sad thing is, actually, baring your feet may actually help. Sunlight is a terrific anti-fungal treatment – add fresh air, and at least your fungal problems should improve (if not go away completely).
Of course, I can’t promise you’ll have perfect looking feet and nails, but, I, too, lost every one of my toenails, after they turned black, “running” my first marathon (and only marathon I did with shoes). But, since I was often barefoot (especially after the marathon left my feet completely blistered – except the soles), and basking in the southern California sun, the toenails grew back, healthy, and pink, as a newborn.
Of course, you don’t want to overdo the sunshine. Avoid burning. And though experts probably warn against it, I also avoid sunblock and lotions. I just find some shade when I’ve had enough sun.