Trail Fails - Mishap Moments of Trail Running

We constantly see the beautiful running shots as we scroll through social media- the epic summits, forested single track, coastal sunrises and desert sunsets. But is this REALLY what trail running looks like all the time? Absolutely not! 

We recently asked the community to share their "Trail Fails" with us and we had a blast reading through the responses. It's important to acknowledge the reality of trail running-embracing the scrapes, spills, accidents, mishaps and yes, even when nature calls.

Photo captured at the Daybreak Racing Wy'East Howl

showcasing Jacob Nigro's Trail Fail

 

"Trying to look cool in front of the race photographer then tripping and eating dirt" - @jacob816 (see above photo!) 

 

"Ran on miles of single track in the dark without falling once, only to fall on the flat sidewalk" - @denver_colorado9

 

"Pooping myself during a last man standing race. Luckily I brought spare shorts" - @jmhowlett75

 

"Getting too close to her nest and getting chased by an angry mama gator" - @jvinyard15

 

"Tore a tendon in my ankle halfway through a 25k trail race and tried to duct tape it" - @valeriejar

 

"I trained for a 50k while in quarantine only to find out it had been cancelled...for months" - @well_wandered 

 

"I lost my freshly grown big toenail on a recovery run after keeping it intact for a 100k" - @sabretooth_ocr

 

"I got attacked by an owl - twice - for violating its personal space (unintentionally)" - @deuxnorth_travel 

 

"I had to stop to pee towards the end of a very long run and couldn't get back up!" - @quesarasarasarasara

 

"Popped my ankle half way through a trail half marathon, finished first female but then went straight to urgent care" - @somerrunner

 

"Showed up to a race without shorts. Raced in VERY small ones borrowed from a female friend!" - @jaredrosecity 

 

"During my first 100 miler I went out too fast and bonked. I passed out at midnight onto my pacer. - @krozar 

 

"Fell down a steep descent and tore my AC joint, blew up my knee, and had to hike 2 miles to get a Lyft home" - @tjdohner

 

"I ran a 50k thinking an "electrolyte drink" had calories in it - turned out it was just electrolytes" - @bonnie_lass2

 

Thank you to all of you who shared their Trail Fail stories with us. We all can relate with our own trail running mishap moments.  Stay safe out there and next time you see a never-ending feed of polished trail moments remember there are always a few trail fails to go along with them.