Running Question Challenge - Have you had a DNF?

Here are the questions we’ve pondered so far.  Feel free to answer the current question or go back and answer previous questions.

Have you ever had a DNF(did not finish)? Tell us about it.

It was only a mile.
Who can't run a mile?
4 laps around the track?

On September 9, 2007 we lined up for the 1600 so it wasn't a full mile, which is 1609.  Still, in my mind, it's a mile.  Knowing Dean though, and the "mile" in the title, it probably did start the 9 meters back and I can't remember.

There was a large group of us.  The runners gathered around the starting line, the families and the timers stood off to the side by the start. The anticipation of the first official race was high. Would I capture the Arizona Female record?  There were only 3 females running and I thought I was faster than the other two women.

4 laps around the track.
Piece of cake.
Well with one small exception.

On your marks.
Set.
Go.

Pop!
Fizz!
Around me the beer cans opened and the runners started guzzling.  I had chosen Blue Moon as my beer and it unfortunately was in a bottle and I was second guessing my choice of beer. Should I have went with a can?  Around me people starting burping.  Loudly.  I wasn't expecting the burping contest and was very grossed out.  About 10 seconds after the starting gun, the runner next to me threw down his can and was off running.  Darn.  I wasn't even halfway through my beer.

I dislike beer.  No, I mean I really can't stand the stuff.  I never acquired a taste for it but did have the occasional beer when it was 25 cents ladies night.  Now, being older and wiser and past ladies nights, I'll take a sip to see if maybe this will be the beer I like. Nope.  Still don't like beer.

So what was I doing out at the track?  Drinking a beer?  If was the first official beer mile in Arizona and according to www.beermile.com, it is still the only official beer mile race in Arizona.  The others have all been unofficial.

Here's an overview of the rules:

1. Must be beer
2. Must be greater than 5% alcohol content
3. Drink a beer, run a lap.  Repeat 3 times.
4. If you spew, you must run an extra lap.

Being the non-drinker and serious about wanting to win the Arizona female record, I needed to do some research.  Sitting at a bar, I asked the bartender to try a couple beers.  The ones I could stomach were too low in alcohol content and I would be disqualified.  Not having enough of the beer, I stopped on the way home and bought beer from a convenience store.  A 6 pack of Blue Moon and a case (!) of Natural Ice.  Both highly recommended.  I sampled both on different nights.  When it came down to it, it didn't matter, they all tasted horrible and now I had all this beer in the house.  I chose Blue Moon, arranged my designated driver and wondered what the heck I was doing.

I managed to get the first beer down and not only was I grossed out by the burping at the start, but the runners were burping grossly while they were running too.  Ugh, if I wasn't going to throw up before all this was over.  I finished my lap, opened up my next beer and started guzzling.  Well maybe sipping is more like it.  I finished the beer and ran the 2nd lap.  Next beer.... surrounded by all the burping, I started gagging.  There was no way I could drink another 2 beers.  The state record would have to go to someone more deserving.  Someone who could handle their beer.  Standing by the garbage can I admitted my defeat and claimed my first (and so far only) DNF.

Since it was the first offical race in Arizona I do hold the title of first DNF in the beer mile in both the male and female category.  And no one can ever take that away from me.  My brother, after finishing his 3rd beer, joined me in the DNF ranks.

Cheers!