So you’re training for a marathon and are a wee bit nervous about all horrors you’ve heard about the training process. Is there any truth to these myths? I’m laying it all out there and answering your questions with the Seven Myths of Marathon Training.
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I heard people pee themselves.
I knew one guy whose nipples bleed all time.
You’re going to lose all of your toenails.
These are just a few of the comments I received when I told people I was training for a marathon. Why is it that some people try to scare you out of training? I paid my entrance fee, I booked my hotel and flight, and I’m already up to 15 training miles. I’m not giving up now – bloody nipples or not!
Fear not, my fit and focused friends, runners, and wannabe runners. Training for a marathon is not as ugly as some would lead you to believe.
I actually wrote this post about two years ago after completing my first marathon. Now that I have two more marathons under my belt, I wanted to look back and fact check myself. So let’s debunk so myths and chat facts, shall we?
MARATHON MYTH 1: You’re going to lose your toenails.
STATUS: False, with a touch of truth
I still stand by this assessment, and I realize that it is a bit confusing. Let me explain. If your running shoes are a little too small, your toes (usually just your big toes) will jam against the front of your shoes when you run. This happens more often when running downhill or in the summer when your feet swell. The constant pounding of toe against shoe will cause the nail to bruise and potentially fall off. However, if you have good shoes (a.k.a have about a thumbprint’s worth of space between the end of the big toe and the front of the shoe, you should be fine. I never lost a toenail (or even got black toenails) from any shoe I’ve trained in. That said, I know people who swear they wear good shoes and still lose toenails. The good news, though, is that I have yet to meet a soul who has lost ALL of their toenails. So… no matter what, you’ll still have some! Winning.
MARATHON MYTH 2: You’re nipples will bleed.
STATUS: False
This is another one I stand by. After 3 marathons, my nipples never produced the red juice. I have heard that this is more common for guys as their nipples rub and chafe against their shirts as they run. Women have the protection of sports bras, so this is less likely to happen. However, I never experienced bloody nipples nor have I seen any male at any race I have had the pleasure of running bleeding through his shirt in the nipple region. I also have never said nipple so many times in my life. Nipple.
MARATHON MYTH 3: Training will take over your life.
STATUS: True Only if you let it.
Training for a marathon is a huge commitment. When I trained for my first marathon, it was all I could think about (and you can read my original answer to this question here). I planned everything around long run days and found that it really cut into my free time. For my second and third marathons, I trained a lot smarter. I switched to a 3-day-a-week plan, and, better yet, I started meeting up with running friends during long runs. That way, I could still be social as I trained. Plus, running with a friend makes the runs a lot more fun!
MARATHON MYTH 4: You can eat whatever you want.
STATUS: False
While it’s true that you can (and should) increase your calorie intake as you start running more, you shouldn’t take that as an opportunity to eat everything but the kitchen sink. Healthy nutrition is key to running (and health in general). You need more carbs, yes, but you need the right kind of carbs. I did a lot of research into what foods I should be eating (here are some tips!). What will give me energy vs. what will make me sluggish. When I ate well, my runs were MUCH better. My legs felt lighter and my time was faster.
MARATHON MYTH 5: You’ll pee yourself during the race.
STATUS: False Only if you want to…
My original thought was that unless you are uber competitive and refuse to stop even when the Tinkle Fairy calls (Yes, I just said Tinkle Fairy. I also said nipples 500 times.), you most likely will not up and pee yourself during a race. Most races have port-a-potty’s, so if you feel the urge, just make a pit stop. However, I have since made a lot of running friends. While none of them are elite runners, they do train hard for their own PRs. I now completely understand that if you have busted your butt to hit a new time goal, you may be ok with peeing your pants to save yourself the precious seconds of stopping to pee. That said, on a not so pleasant note (stop reading now if you are easily grossed out), there was one woman at my first Walt Disney World Marathon that had pooped herself. I know this because I ran behind her for a stinky second before zooming around. I don’t know how this happened. I feel terribly that it did, but poop is a whole other level from pee. If I had to poop, I think I would rather sacrifice a PR than run with poopy pants for 10 miles.
MARATHON MYTH 6: You’ll chafe. A lot.
STATUS: True
All of my running clothes are very comfortable. It’s a mandate for me. Alas, no matter how comfy your clothes or how much Body Glide you use, you will get some chaffing. Most of my chaffing was minor, but it still hurt like a… well… I’ll spare you the profanity… but it hurt quite a bit in the shower. Just get yourself some good antibiotic cream or spray (like what I got in my Bulu Box) and you’ll heal up before your next long run where you’ll inevitably get more chaffing…
MARATHON MYTH 7: Your whole body will break out.
STATUS: False
I’ve never broken out from marathon training. If you are super sweaty and don’t shower after a run, I can’t help you – but if you aren’t prone to breakouts normally and you shower after a run, you should be A.OK.
I hope this helps elevate some worries about marathon training. There are some grievances, but overall it is an amazing feat and crossing that finish line is the best feeling in the world!
Now let’s see how you’re getting wild on this Wild Workout Wednesday! Add your links below (be sure to check out the full rules here). Happy sweating!
Let’s chat:
Other marathoners, any notes to add?
Newbies, have you heard any other rumors you’d like to get to the bottom of?
I have not trained for a full marathon but these myths probably can apply to any distance race you are training for. Every time I think I have the chafing thing figured out it comes back! Thanks for the link up
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Ageless Fitness: Women’s Views on Fitness As They Age-Pt.1
I think you’re probably right! Stupid chafing!
Great post! I had also heard you shrink a half an inch while running a marathon and that scared me away for a long time. Don’t think that actually happened 🙂
Training DID take over my life, I kept all my toenails (although there was this nasty blood blister on my foot) and I would never consider not using a bathroom 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Honeydew Kiwi Smoothie
I’ve never heard the shrinking one! Too funny!
Love this!!! I’ll be honest, I haven’t signed up for a full marathon for a few of these reasons – mostly the time commitment. Thanks for sharing Nicole!
I’m determined not to let my next marathon training cycle take over my life.
I’ve only had bits and pieces of these things happen to me. Maybe I’m just lucky?
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…A Better Liquid Diet with Smoothies (Green Blender Review)
or you’re super woman…
Marathon training has definitely taken over my life! 🙂 I’ve lost a few toenails but nothing crazy. The worst chafing ever? From my sports bra in the summer. Owwwww!!
Christine @ Two Runners Travel recently posted…Do you have a starting line song?
It’s the worst there, because you then have to put a bra and top on that rub against it all day.
So I am one of those people that suffer from black toenails even with proper running shoes. To be fair, I have pretty nasty nails to begin with so losing them really isn’t that bad of a thing 😛
Annmarie recently posted…Treadmill & Ultimate Sandbag Circuit Workout
haha fresh start!
Really helpful, thanks! I’m flirting with the idea of training for a full and I think the biggest thing I’m worried about is it taking over my life. I’m a slow runner so I’ll have to be out there a long time. But it’s just temporary… So many factors to weigh!
Chaitali recently posted…Rock and Roll DC Half Marathon training – week 10
Sign up with a friend and then you can train together and therefor get in social time while you train!
I’ve gotten black toenails despite wearing good shoes that fit, but they haven’t fallen off. As for the nipple bleeding. never happened to me but I did definitely see a guy coming in at the San Antonio marathon with bleeding nipples. I felt for him!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Valentines & Family Day – A Long Weekend Recap
I’ve gotten a few bruised toe nails, but never black. eek! And poor guys!
I lost a toenail! It was TRAGIC!!!! And two others turned black. Whomp whomp.
Rachel recently posted…Product Review: TKO 4-Way Resistance Bands
Eek! How long did it take to grow back?
I’ve always had problems with bleeding nipples. CVS makes these great waterproof, thin bandaids that prevent it.
Oh no! Is it just from chafing?
Love this post! The only one that I disagree with is chafing. I must be super lucky or my clothes just work for me but I’ve never had a problem with chafing. I’m very, VERY thankful for that! Blisters on the other hand…def had my fair share of those!
Gretchen | Gretchruns recently posted…Wednesday Reviews : Group Core
Maybe I just need new workout clothes. Time to shop!
I’m in the never lost a toenail club. I do have one weird looking guy, but it’s remained firmly (or, not so firmly attached) for years.
I HAVE seen guys with bleeding nipples, but that’s an easy fix with a few small bandaids 🙂
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Soul Sisters
haha. Did it get weird looking after you started running? I can’t imagine bleeding from the nipple. Eek!
Love this! But yes, some people do break out from training! It’s called exercise induced urticaria and it’s a real thing! And yes poop happens…sometimes uncontrollable which is why it’s important to WATCH WHAT YOU EAT! And ibuprofen can give you diarrhea. Not that I know anything about any of this.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Staying the Course: 10 tips to Get You Through a Tough Run
haha! You need to write a post about all the science behind race mishaps!
This year I plan to run my very first marathon and I am a little worried about losing my social life and my toenails, haha! I never heard that people get breakouts…scary! And I think I ran past a guy who pooped himself during a race…*shudders*
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Cherry Blossom Training Week 3 Recap
Ugh. I can’t imagine anything worse running scenario than pooping your pants mid-race.
Love this post! I didn’t lose any toenails either during my marathon, and barely chafed. But they could have turned black for all I know, since I painted them blue before the race just to hide any discoloration – just even thinking about the possibility is a bit gross for me!
Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes recently posted…Rainy Runs Survival Guide: 5 {More} Tips from a Seattle Runner
haha I think all runners should do that – dark nail polish, and you’ll never know!
Yep, I agree with all of these. I have never seen any bleeding nipples on my body or anyone else’s, male or female, nor have I witnessed any sort of bladder issues. And I’m with you, if you need to go, just go. Not worth the grossness! Oh but the chafing is horrific[ – it’s only when you jump into the shower after your run that you realise the damage… aggghhh!
Fiona recently posted…Taking Care of Your Ticker: National Heart Month
Yep. Post long-run showers are rough! haha
Good list. Although I do think that with the right prep, chafing is avoidable. Body Glide like a boss and wear the proper clothes and folks should be okay. I have only experienced chafing in the summer when I forget Body Glide. Ouch!
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…Stick with your New Year’s Goals!
I think you’re right. I forget my body glide most of the time.
I tried to pee off myself once during a half, but just couldn’t do it. Decided I didn’t have to go bad enough to stop, or to pee while running.
Kyle @ SKORA recently posted…Best SKORA for Triathlon
haha I feel like that would happen to me. Stage fright!
Oh the chafing. I experienced some horrible chafing this past summer while training for Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach. That was partly because I was pregnant and had yet to invest in larger sports bras. Post run all I have to say is, ouch!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…The Importance of Self Care as a New Mother
ooch is right! Post long run showers should feel amazing, but they’re usually pretty painful haha.
I’ve never known a woman to get bloody nipples but I’ve seen PLENTY of men with them. Ouchie. Don’t know it I’m tempting fate here but so far chafing has eluded me. Crazy what non runners hear.
Marcia recently posted…Weightloss Wednesday Week 6: Small Changes
I’ve never seen bloody nipples. It doesn’t sound fun at all! I’m jealous of your no chafing talent!
OK, I’ll admit it – I have peed my pants in one race and only one race. It was a long triathlon and there were no porta potties on the run. It was really hot so I had been drinking a ton so by the time I was on the last few miles of the run I was going to explode. It was either pee on myself or pee in some family’s yard in the residential area I was running in, lol. I just doused the rest of my water bottle on myself and changed right after the finish. Probably my most embarrassing race story, haha.
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers recently posted…Join me at TriMania 2016 + Workshop Discount!
No porta potties along the course? That doesn’t sound well planned! Sounds like you handled it well, though!
Great post! None of those things would every happen to me, I would stop the moment I realized it was too much or going wrong. It takes a whole new level of commitment to get to that point, says the girl who over does it in the squat rack on leg day (me). To each his own brand of cray 🙂
AutumnPTW recently posted…40 Day #LentAbChallenge
haha overdoing it on leg day is the worst! Sore for days.
Love this. Believe it or not, I’ve only chafed once and that was after wearing a heart rate monitor strap for a 5 mile run! I’ve never chafed in marathon training!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Life updates
I have a scar from wearing a HRM! It dug in so badly!
Great post! I get chaffing for any run longer than 10 km in the summer. I love winter for that, no chaffing! I haven’t’ had any ugly toenails yet, but I’ve seen my twin sister’s feet and ouch! It can look terrible!
Lucie Palka recently posted…Grimsby Family Day 10 km Race Recap
Chaffing does tend to be worse in the warmth, huh? Lost toenails aren’t the most pleasant thing to look at, but I don’t think they hurt that bad.
I always lose the same toenail, even though my shoes that I run in now fit me very well and are totally different from what I wore for my first two marathons. I pretty much never chafe though and I don’t use body glide anywhere except the aforementioned toe LOL. And peeing oneself during a run or race? Pretty sure that depends on how many kids you’ve birthed LOL.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Want to run the Marine Corps Marathon? Here’s how…
The same toenail? That’s crazy! Awesome that you don’t chafe – and yes! I’ve heard women that have given birth may have more of an issue with peeing haha
Thank you for writing this! I’m thinking about doing my first marathon this year (Philly!) and I’m terrified of all this stuff! But if it never happened in a half marathon, I’m feeling confident it won’t happen on a marathon either. Except for the chafing, that is always an unexpected fail!
Kristen recently posted…Yoga Lessons: Look Inward, Not Out
I did Philly last year! It’s a great course. If you didn’t experience any of these during half training, you probably won’t experience them for full training either. Good luck!