Interesting article in the NY Times on Ultrarunning and toenail removal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22FITNESS.html
My favorite quote is "You know any sport has gone off the rails when you have to remove body parts to do it,” said Christopher McDougall, the author of a recent book about ultrarunning called “Born to Run.”
Matt, I'm sure you will set a wonderful example. Come on out for the start tomorrow, I have a set of wire cutters in the car that should work just fine. Perhaps we can showcase the idea by awarding yours as a 'Peacocks' set of 'HURT necklace' style matching earings. Don's already working on coordinating the Lei sizes, so he may be asking you for a little toe set as well. (Just think! You can be one miserable sob and you won't even have to run up the Kealia switchbacks!!) You'll be the envy or every runner who heads out of the Dillingham parking lot on that second loop!
Posted by: Mike | October 23, 2009 at 04:38 PM
I'll borrow a toenail from my dog to contribute. They look about the same anyway!
Posted by: Paul | October 23, 2009 at 01:39 PM
all right, Mike! Welcome to the bandwagon; start drumming up support this weekend and I'll draft a petition to submit to the HURT 100 race directors.
Posted by: matt | October 23, 2009 at 06:19 AM
Decorative mutilation, now that's the ticket! As long as it is not done in search of reducing pain and misery,I want to say here and now that I am right behind you on this one Matt.
Posted by: Mike Muench | October 22, 2009 at 09:00 PM
I think all HURT runners should be absolutely required to remove their big toenails. We can string all those nails together into a lei, and it can be the perpetual trophy for the winner of the HURT 100. They would also be required to wear it to the banquet, of course!
Posted by: Matt Stevens | October 22, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Why blame it on the sport? It just tells a bit about some of most fanatic. It took my three years to figure out how to deal with toe nail loss. In the long run the answer was larger shoes and better soxs. Fancy That?
Getting close to the razor's edge often means standing on the flat of the blade.
Posted by: Mike Muench | October 22, 2009 at 11:58 AM