By Lexi Petronis, Glamour magazine
So 47,000 people ran in the New York City Marathon yesterday (like our own editor Anne, who trained like a superstar and I hope is resting up today like only a superstar can--go, Anne! PS: Be sure to check out some her beginners' guide to marathon posts here, here, and here).
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Unlike Anne and the NYC marathoners, I have not yet run a full marathon. I have completed a few half-marathons, which I loved--and believe me, I never thought I'd say that I loved anything about running. It took lots of time and training in order to learn that lesson.
Another lesson learned? Running long distances can do some very weird things to your body. Luckily, the things are all normal--but even more luckily, there are ways of fixing them:
Chafing, skin tags, and bloody nipples. Indeed. I remember seeing a guy trot toward the finish line with lines of blood streaking his white running shirt (yet he soldiered on!). Hours of repetitive motion can irritate inner thighs, armpits, and ankles, causing chafing and irritation. Luckily, there are products like Bodyglide (and nipple covers) to smooth out any friction spots.
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Blackened, bruised toenails that will probably fall off. When your running shoes are too tight, they can press down on your toes and cause blood to pool under the nails. Usually, the bruised toenail will fall off (sometimes there's a brand-new nail underneath, all ready to go!). Properly fitting shoes can lessen the chances of getting "runner's toe."
Runner's trots. Otherwise known as diarrhea (Active.com charmingly calls it "urgency to defecate"). Running long distances can alter your normal digestive schedule, and eating fatty, fibrous foods beforehand can trigger the need to go. Keeping track of your pre-run meals can help you figure out if there's something in your diet that's to blame.
Are you a runner? Have you ever experienced any of these things--or other "weird" body things--due to running?
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Photo Credit: Condé Nast Digital Studio
