October 11, 2013

Blisters, Toenails and things...

Hovercrafts - Post Vermont
There are blisters. And there are BLISTERS. The upper case ones being those that lead to something beyond everyday misery. What I didn’t realize, until recently anyway, was that it is possible to get blisters under your toenails. Can you guess what happens when you get one of those? If you are reading this while eating, I suggest you push the plate away for a minute.

But what exactly is a blister? As I write this I’m discovering it’s not an easy object to put into words. A skin balloon of bodily fluid? Or, maybe, a subcutaneous juice bag? Not easy. Like I said. How would you describe one?

Turns out, the official definition per Wikipedia is...a small pocket of fluid within the upper layers of the skin, typically caused by forceful rubbing(friction), burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Wiki goes on to mention that the stuff inside is not really fluid or juice, but rather serum or plasma. Or blood. Or pus.

Resurgence
Ok, time to move on from definitions. I’m happy to report my two big toenails are slowly making a resurgence. Last July, after the Vermont 100, I noticed they were acting more like hovercrafts than a functional body appendage. I don’t want to go into a detail about toenails here, and I’m sure there is some evolutionary purpose for them, but are they all that necessary these days? I’ve been doing quite well without my two big ones for nearly three months now. It’s a lot easier to put on socks without them.

It’s not something to talk about at dinner parties, I know. But I can write about it, right? After all, how many people can say they’ve been able to reach down and pull their toe nails right off their feet? Ok, maybe they were just about to fall off, and I only had to give them a little nudge. That, my friends, is what happens when you get blisters under your toenails. You should have seen the look on the faces of my two daughters!

Keep it real runners.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you save the nails ?Well , that about covers poop and toenails . When do you get into blood in the URINE ???Keep it real Will ......you sick bastard!!!!

Will Cooper said...

Anon/bino...I've had blood in the urine and it aint any fun...looks more like Aunt Jemima syrup than anything. Thanks for asking.

Unknown said...

Your 'piggies' are looking much better!! It really sucks that the big toenail takes so long to grow back. No sure if it's a 'GUY' concern.

A pedicure looks kinda funny when there are nails missing is all!!

Jill said...

Marshall Ulrich surgically removed all his toenails so he wouldn't have to deal with losing them and such other related toenail issues. I wonder if the lack of a toenail would cause more blisters due to lack of protection?

Glad the feet are happily reviving...maybe a little polish might help? :)

Will Cooper said...

stacy...people have mentioned pedicure, but I have to say it gives me the creeps...I just don't want anyone touching me there!

jill...I remember that about Marshall...I think he is on to something. No toenails has been nothing but a positive, including when running leadville. I might have to talk to my doc about the permanent solution.

it's all about pace said...

I have all of my toenails... and they are all their natural color for the first time it what seems like years...

keepin it real since 2013 :-)