Pedicures, callouses and running

[Anonymous]

I'm a long-time runner and triathlete who has only recently started getting pedicures. It never seemed worthwhile since my feet were always trashed by callouses and blisters.

Now I'm wondering though, do you have your callouses razored or rubbed off? Occasionally one of mine will tear and hurts. I wonder if it will make running and daily high heels at work hurt more or less if the callouses are gone.

What do you do?

[Anonymous]

If you still intend to run, you need those callouses. I would not have them razored. And, frankly, I wouldn't necessarily get pedicures at all.

[Anonymous]

I get pedicures because my toenails are destroyed from downhill running, and occasionally wearing ill-fitting shoes (like, they seem like they fit until you're about 2 miles into a run...)

I don't have them shave off calluses or anything--it's purely to paint over my horrible toenails--they do a much better job than I ever could.

[Anonymous]

I have mine shaved off when I am in a place in VA that does that. I build callouses so fast that the shaving only keeps them at bay for a couple of days. I used to lose toenails but I've got fitted and changed shoes and I haven't had that issue for a long time.

[Anonymous]

I used to have them shaved off, but in MoCo it is illegal and really not very hygenic. I now go to a place where they use a dremel to smooth my feet down. This doesn't get rid of my calluses, but it does make my feet smoother so I don't have to worry about any ripping or tearing. I did find when I was picking at the callus on top of my one toe I was more sore than if I had left it on. Finally, like PP above, I got better fitting shoes and now don't have a problem with sore toes.

[Anonymous]

I'm a runner and I wonder about those high heels. I know I couldn't wear them daily and still run.

It seems to me that if you run the callouses will just come back. or you will get blisters in their place.

I lose toenails quite frequently and I've been fitted for my shoes -- nothing seems to help.

[Anonymous]

I had my callouses shaved off once during a pedicure: never again. Horrible blisters, then the callouses returned. I agree with PP: they're there for a reason.

I'm with PP on the high heels, too; I could never wear them and run, at least if I want to run fast and remain injury-free.

[Anonymous]

I don't have callouses shaved either.

[Anonymous]

I specifically tell them that I'm a runner and they should do some work to smooth down my calluses with scrubs/stones, but go lightly. I would never let them shave them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I specifically tell them that I'm a runner and they should do some work to smooth down my calluses with scrubs/stones, but go lightly. I would never let them shave them.

OP here. This is what I ended up doing. I also got some softening cream that will help with the heel cracks, but save my calluses.

Nice to get that leg massage and see my toes looking pretty, though!