I love trail running. anytime I can get off the roads and into the mountains or woods is a pleasure. I love getting away from traffic and seeing the nature and picturesque views.

Back in August, I decided to try to go for a long run up Ben Lomond (a mountain near North Ogden, Utah). I knew I wasn't going to get to the top which would have been over 16 miles, but I thought I'd see how far up I could go in an hour and then turn around and come back. I made it up just over 4 miles to the part where the trail switches over to the west side of the mountain before I turned around. The uphill portion was rather uneventful other than passing a few hikers and a mountain biker. I turned around and started flying down the mountain.

I was feeling pretty good on the way down and was having flashbacks of why I used to love this kinda thing. I am pretty sure I was on a running high. I am pretty sure I even screamed for joy. Woo hoo!!! A few seconds later, I apparently didn't lift my right foot up high enough to clear a rock in the path and I went down. As I got up in disbelief, I realized that I had cut my right hand, my right knee, and I'm pretty sure I had rolled over a pretty sharp rock on my back. I stood up and looked around for my water bottle (I didn't want to get dehydrated). I found it partially opened and was relieved to see that I still had some water and it wasn't muddy.I noticed as I got up that my shirt was suddenly muddy. I guess all my sweat mixed with the dusty dirt on the trail when I fell. Despite the fall I was still feeling pretty good and continued running down the mountain almost as if nothing had happened.

On my way, I passed a bunch more mountain bikers on their way up the mountain and couldn't figure out why they all seemed to look at me funny. When I got to the car I think I found out why. In addition to my bloody hand and knee, I had achieved the worst case of nipple burn I have even seen or experienced. I guess I didn't notice it at first because of the fall. I thought that was just where I had grabbed my shirt with my bloody hand.

I had my wife take some sweet pics so you could all enjoy this experience with me. Check 'em out.

Hopefully this helps you to understand the risks of trail/mountain running, but I hope it doesn't keep you from getting out there. Just be careful and don't get caught up in the excitement like I did.