Great goal. Moleskin is your friend for application BEFORE you get blisters in potential hot spots. And here’s some ideas to avoid losing toenails, courtesy of GPT: Losing toenails after a marathon (or even during training) usually comes down to repeated trauma and pressure — your nail gets banged into the front of your shoe or is stressed from underneath until it bruises, loosens, and falls off. Here’s how to keep them intact: ⸻ 1. Get the right shoe size and fit    •   For marathons, your shoes should be ½ to 1 full size larger than your street shoes to account for swelling.    •   Make sure there’s a thumb’s width of space in front of your longest toe.    •   Heel should stay snug so your foot isn’t sliding forward. 2. Keep toenails short (but not too short)    •   Trim them straight across to avoid pressure and ingrown nails.    •   Leave just enough length so the skin under the nail is covered. 3. Choose the right socks    •   Moisture-wicking, snug (not tight), and without thick seams over the toes.    •   Some runners like double-layer socks to reduce friction. 4. Lace your shoes to lock your heel    •   Try a “runner’s loop” or heel-lock lacing to keep your foot from sliding forward on downhills or late in the race when your form gets sloppy. 5. Manage downhill running    •   Long downhill stretches increase toe impact — shorten your stride and increase cadence on these sections. 6. Address swelling and friction    •   Use moleskin or tape on known hot spots (especially big toe or second toe).    •   Foot lubricants (like BodyGlide) can help in high-friction areas. 7. Break in shoes gradually    •   Don’t run the marathon in brand-new shoes — aim for 50–100 miles of break-in, ideally including some long runs.