Running is a dangeours sport

So we might not get tackled and we might not have any balls flying straight at us, but that doesn't mean runners aren't pretty tough too!  I am ridiculously clumsy, which is one of the many reasons why I have not yet tried the new craze that is trail running.  I've heard it can be quite fun and exciting, but the thought of jumping over rocks and into puddles just doesn't really do much for me.  So I stick to road running and make sure I don't fall off the pavement too often (trust me, it's happened!).  Last Sunday my running partner and I decided spontaneously to run a club run.  The only race on that day was the Soweto Marathon which we had cleverly not entered! So a club run it was! Club runs are great due to their slow pace and generally social atmosphere.  If it weren't for the regular stops at petrol stations to grab a drink and a chat, I might not enjoy the 26km quite as much.  But you can be sure club run's will always provide a fun morning of running.  During the last few km of this particular route we were on, you have to run a short section over a small stream and through a field before joining the road again.  It's my least favorite part of the morning and as we were balancing over the narrow bridge leading to the other side of the stream and into the field, I complained behind my running partner about how much I dislike off road running and prayed I wouldn't fall into the water.  Luckily, I made it through! Ironically, she on the other hand, has tried trail running and really enjoyed it.  So she carefully hopped from rock to rock also making it safely to the field.  However, it wasn't long before she moved out of the way for a cyclist, tripped over a stone and lost her balance falling pretty hard on the ground.  I got such a fright...and of course so did she! She grazed her elbow and knee pretty badly and there was a fair amount of blood! She bravely got up and made it through the last 3km of the club run.  This kind of thing happens to runners more often than you would think! I've often read stories about runners who trip over small objects in the road or just lose their balance and end up seriously injuring themselves.  I know my running partner was extremely relieved that she got away with only a few cuts and bruises, but I think it was a lesson to us both to be a lot more careful when running! Anything can happen and next time we may not be as lucky!