Losing fingernails during long rows

[Hugh Trenchard]

I'm wondering if anyone has experienced damaged fingernails after long rows. During a 100k row back in May, I ended up losing one nail and significantly damaging two more, evidently due to the grip pressure of holding the handle causing inflammation and bleeding under the nails. Similarly, I lost a nail after a marathon row last year. Nail damage doesn't seem to happen for rows shorter than 35km or so. It takes a long time for nails to regrow, so it's not a problem one can take lightly if you want to keep doing long rows. Has anyone else experienced this, and did you find any remedies?

[lancecampeau]

I've done the 100k twice and many 50k's and FM's... I've never lost or damaged a fingernail, however I did do some nerve damage to the nail bed of my middle finger on my right hand during my first 100k. I had taped my finger and I think blood circulation was cut off for an extended period. It is still numb after a year and a half.

I discuss the issue in my post workout briefing...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3yckd64WpM

[Carl Watts]

Gee I have seen people selling these ergs with words to describe them as "Torture Machines " but I thought they were joking now it turns out they do pull your fingernails out !

Personally they have just caused me only fatigue and sore muscles physically but they can be beaten with a strong mental attitude that leads to regular training and a great deal of personal satisfaction when you hit your goals.

[Dangerscouse]

After you mentioned this a while ago I've asked a few others who I know that have done ultra distances and none of them have had an issue like this either.

[Hugh Trenchard]

Thanks everyone for responding. I suppose there is something unique about how I grip the handles and/or my physiology that causes the fingernail issue. Strange.

Lance, I watched your youtube video - thanks for sharing it. Very helpful and interesting to hear of others' experiences, especially for such a long event like the 100k row. For my 100k in May I found eating and drinking to be an interesting challenge, since I didn't want to take a full break while doing so. I was fortunate that I didn't need to stop to pee, but I actually kept a pot handy for that purpose, since I didn't want to lose time by running to the washroom.

~Hugh

[KeithT]

Thanks everyone for responding. I suppose there is something unique about how I grip the handles and/or my physiology that causes the fingernail issue. Strange.

Lance, I watched your youtube video - thanks for sharing it. Very helpful and interesting to hear of others' experiences, especially for such a long event like the 100k row. For my 100k in May I found eating and drinking to be an interesting challenge, since I didn't want to take a full break while doing so. I was fortunate that I didn't need to stop to pee, but I actually kept a pot handy for that purpose, since I didn't want to lose time by running to the washroom.

~Hugh

I mentioned in a different post when I did my first (and only) FM both my pinkie nails turned black, didn't lose the nail but took months for them to be normal again. I thought it had to do with my fingers being crooked from many breaks (past sports) and getting smashed more but not sure of the cause. I definitely don't grip tight so it was an odd and surprising thing to me.