How Long Does It Take to Grow Out Runner’s Toenails? Two Years
How long does it take to grow out of running? Maybe forever.
Today was the end of having to look at the keratin contortions that were my runner’s toenails. I snipped off the last bit of evidence that I ran for 10 years.
While this is a subject that would likely make people outside of this sport wretch, I found myself mourning them. I had grown so accustomed to the incredibly gross amount of ways I could screw up my feet, and their nails, that I became used to apologizing for their appearance at every doctors’ appointment that required foot viewing.
Lest I give the impression that I was a runner extraordinaire, let me state that for races, I managed to run two halves, several 10ks, some 4 milers, and a bunch of 5ks. My weekend long runs were usually seven slow miles.
But before I had to end this illustrious career, I was starting to stall on my runs. I kept having to walk after a few miles. I was getting frustrated, even angry at myself.
On an early Friday morning run in September 2022, I intended to do a 10k. But at four miles, I thought I was about to pass out. I was dripping in sweat and then in tears. I dragged myself home, barely breaking into a jog. I managed to eke out the 10k, but only…
