...okay, the ladies and all the well shaved and perfectly coiffed metro-sexual guys out there...I have a problem.
And it's vain, so vain.
And, yes, Carly, I do know this song is about me.
So, anyway. It's about my nails.
[Okay, I just officially lost about half my readership. If I weren't so desperate, I would spare y'all. But it's baadd.]
Ever since I started training seriously (a little over two months ago) my nail health has deteriorated as rapidly as Britney's sanity. And they, just like dear old Brit, need some rehab.
The issue? They're all dried out. They're soft. And, now they're splitting. Why do I bring this up on a TRIATHLON blog? Two reasons:
(1) This is my blog and I'll blog about dumb stuff until the cows come home and then blog about the cows if I want to; and,
(2) I think it's the training.
Here are the two options I can see (oh, apparently I'm all into lists today...fun):
(1) I'm deficient in some amount of nutrients that normally support proper nail growth, or
(2) The chlorinated water is slowly killing me and it's started the process by attacking my nails.
Before I got into all this lovely Iron training and all, I was a very well put together individual. I had my nails done every other week and my clothes were generally appropriate and always fresh smelling. Since then, race entry fees have replaced my manicurist budget and, well, let's just say the race to keep up with the laundry is still being battled out.
Frankly, I'm starting to look a-mess. And that's no good.
So, am I just naturally falling apart at the seams, or have other people experienced this? Did you find a good solution? Will I be forced to cut off my hands to spite my training?
[ps -- for those who may ask, I get tons of green vegetables -- tons. and i take one basic multivitamin every evening. i moisturize with cetaphil cream for everything, but i do have a history of eczema. my hair and skin have been fine, but i do moisturize more than when i'm not training.]
Thursday, March 22, 2007
For all the ladies in the House...
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14 comments:
The comment cherry has been poped. As the reinging or at least the only admitting metrosexual/cosmopolitan guy on RaceAthlete I'll have to comment for all those too shy to speak up. Yes chlorine kills nails. Look to increasing your calicum intake, Vit E and a bit of Iron. How do I know this you ask? I've swam competitvly for almost 20 years (rec at 5 to NCAA)
BTW human nails and cockroatch shells are made of the same material: chiten.
wow, i didn't know that about cockroaches, hm, interesting. i guess i won't be biting my nails anytime soon...
i have no words of wisdom here, except to say that i just cut mine off and keep them short. it is too much trouble to get them done then get into the pool 3x per week - they look a mess within a few days anyway. that's ironman training for you!
if you find a solution, though, will you let me know??
i'm admittedly ubersexual.
therefore, i'm prevented from commenting...
except for the fact that i'm doing what you are doing, and have uber nails...
I say cut the suckers off. They collect less bike grease that way.
That said, protein in your diet will affect nail quality. But it takes about 6 months for your nails on your hands to fully grow out, so it's a long-term dietary thing.
erm, my nails are already like that, and I haven't spent any time in the pool (yet). this is going to be bad. But I'm with Nancy -- I keep mine short, like with barely any white on them at all.
Most likely the chlorine. I keep my nails short to avoid the hassle of the upkeep.
Sounds like Wrenching Winz knows what he is talking about. Try out his suggestions.
And I took keep mine short because there just isn't time with all the training and working and real life. I even have to write it down in my planner or else busy life gets in the way too much to remember to cut them.
And I love Carly Simon.
Can't say I share this problem. Keep mine short and they're pretty indestructable. But I've heard some folks talk about gelatin.
Now...I do have what we call the "bubonic" toe. Big toenail has been black/purple since an AR last July. GACK! Sadal weather is here...and I'm freaking people out. There aren't many nail polishes that cover it up, and I'm too lazy to paint it anyway.
I'm reluctant to blame chlorine per se. I'd say just time spent immersed in water, combined with cold winter weather.
My nails invariably improve in the summer, with no change in how I look after them.
Probably the chlorine. In fact, my hair has many of the symptoms as your nails. My nails probably do too but they're are already short so I don't notice.
I use special shampoo & conditioners, take extra vitamins, but what has worked best for me is just keeping it shorter. No more really thick, near butt-length tresses for me. And I don't need a boob job either, though they've seemingly gotten smaller, too, but not from chlorine, I don't think ...
Short nails = less holes in wetsuits!!!
You wanna know what I think? I think that since you're not having them "done" every other week or so this could be how your nails have been for a long time.
But it might be the pool.
Mine grow long, then inexplicably break, then grow long again.
not sure if your a vegatarian but a lack or deficency in Protein affects hair and nail growth.
rockon`
ps. keep`em short, as most everyone agrees.
Agh! The dreaded swimmer nails! Girl, I feel yo' pain.
During IM training I found this little Neutrogena "pen" type thing that was almost like putting on clear nail polish, but it dries in about 5 seconds. I threw it in my swim bag and would put it on before I headed to work. It created the illusion that my nails didn't totally suck...plus, no need to use nail polish remover to get it off! It comes off naturally without peeling. A WONDERFUL little girly triathlete invention. :)
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