Rocky’s Run

WTF 50k — My Edition by Rocky Bur

Dad gets to go on big adventures in the mountains all the time, but me? Not as much. Except for this year’s Waterfall 50k.

The day started with meeting lots of new friends who instantly loved me and wanted all the ear rubs, so I was understanding and let them have at it since I have both time and patience for these running peoples. You may be surprised by this, but I enjoy a good ear rub occasionally.

In particular, the man with the clipboard (the random ear-rubbers referred to him as Q) was happy to see me and he was surrounded by all sorts of good sniffs and treats for the runners. In fact, an idea started to take shape that if I were one of these runners then perhaps I could get a treat… or even treats.

I followed Dad to the starting line and he tied me up to a yellow gate so that all the runners had to run past me. Can you even imagine the torture of watching all these trail peoples run past me, excitedly starting on their big adventures of kicking rocks all day and getting all.the.treats.

After they took off, Dad put me in the car and we drove on this long and winding road (the runner peoples called it Crisman Hollow) to meet the clipboard man who had actual donuts. Soon, the trail running peoples started coming through with clear signs of trail bliss all over their persons and grabbing donuts and taking off down the trail headed toward more good rock-kicking times ahead… and definitely more treats.

So once I realized that Dad was looking the other way and the man with the clipboard was too busy pushing the donuts, I jumped at the opportunity to take off running down the trail with the actual running peoples.

We had great fun kicking some rocks on winding-twisty trails, telling all the jokey jokes and taking in all the beautiful views of the surrounding Nuttens.

All was good until I started to miss Dad and realized that I didn’t know how to get back to him (recall: winding-twisty trails). I had a moment of panic before we reached Qs view and a particularly lovely trail runner (I heard a running people call her Ivory) who took a strong interest in me (I mean, I’m adorable so why wouldn’t she?).

But I quickly put it together that she wanted to help me find my way back to Dad and the donuts. So together we started off in the opposite direction of the other running peoples to head back. Not far down the trail we came across three other running peoples who clearly were dog people (I mean, there is no mistaking those sniffs).

One of the running peoples had my leash, so I knew that this was a strong clue that she could help me find my way back to Dad and donuts. So we continued on the trail and the Ivory runner was able to get back to whatever it is these running peoples were doing on this particular day (some were saying WTF but I have no ideas what that may mean).

All three of the new running peoples were fumbling around with their phones saying that they had Rocky (me) and trying to figure out how to get me back to Dad and donuts. We were still running (oh joy), and soon hit the road, which was where we had left Dad and donuts. After another few panicked moments of thinking that he had forgotten about me and left me forever, I had another terrifying thought… maybe the running peoples ate all the donuts.

After a tentative few minutes, we took off running down the road and I got in a series of amazing sniffs and peed on all.the.things. The lovely trail runner ladies were still fumbling around with their phones talking about me and not too far down the road… I saw in the distance none other than… Dad.

As he pulled up, he seemed really happy to see me. (If he had truly been happy to see me, I feel as though he should have saved a donut for me but I will overlook that… this time.)

We said goodbye to my new friends (they call these running peoples Tracy, Lisa and Sam), and we continued on to go visit more places in the woods where they have all the tasty treats (the running peoples call them aid stations).

Later, we connected again with all the lovelies who joined me on my trail running adventure. Dad gave them all an honorary sticker for running the first edition of my run (because this was so fun, why not do it again?) and I even got to sniff all the treats made by Chef Extraordinaire Jeff Best.

Indeed, the route from the 211 parking lot (start), up waterfall, mini out-and-back to Qs View, then down Crisman Hollow to Visitor’s, up Bird Knob then purple then pink back to connector trail to 211 parking lot is the perfect 50k (or so they told me).

I give this race five stars and a woof-woof, and I would totes do it again. Especially if donuts are on the menu.

Thanks to Tracy for typing my story out for me!