Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Running Question Challenge - Have you had a DNF?



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!




20 comments:

sneakersister said...

Great story!! I love it.

Nope, can't say that I've ever had a DNF. Doesn't mean I won't though.

Unknown said...

yes. horrendous DNF. you can read about it here: http://genesoboleski.blogspot.com/2009/10/verbose-race-report.html

it isn't nearly as fun as yours, though! thank you for sharing...

Pining for Pinterest said...

I would love to run that!!! Love the story :) Have a great week!

Suzy said...

Great story!! Um, I wouldn't eve go to that race because I HATE beer! I'm glad that I'm not the only one.

Katie A. said...

OMG! That is sooo funny! I love a good beer though, might have to find one of those races around here!
I havne't had a DNF, but I have had a DNS - got all the way to the starting line and I knew that the injury I had been nursing all week was not going to fair well if I ran the half mary. So, I jumped out of the corals, found my fam and cheered for the rest of the racers instad. It's hard to be an adult sometimes!
Great topic and story! Thanks for sharing!

Teamarcia said...

If there's a race to DNF, that is the one!
I am so not a beer drinker--to be honest I've never had more than a sip.
Fingers crossed, no DNF's here. Hoping not to jinx myself.

Anonymous said...

I haven't had a DNF yet. Yet... beermile.com = not for me.

Anonymous said...

Yes it was 1609.3 meters for a complete mile. All rules were followed. This race is NOT for everyone (beer lover or not) and everyone had designated drivers.

Now that being said... I think there are only two kinds of runners - those who have DNFd and those who eventually will DNF. There is a time and place for everything.

RunKathyRun said...

OMG, this story is great - thanks for sharing.

I do have a DNF and it isn't such an entertaining, funny story. You can read it here:

http://runkathyrun.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-dnf-story.html

Thanks for doing these Running Challenge Questions.

Kim said...

Ha! That is one of the funniest things I have ever heard! There is a donut run in the town I went to college in - the more donuts you eat, the more time they take off your score. I never ran it, but your story reminds me of it.

I have not had a DNF. Well, unless you count three races I was signed up for, two I did not run because I was injured, and the third I could not afford to travel to.

ajh said...

I have never had a DNF. What a story! I want to do the Krispie Kreme one where you run halfway, eat a dozen doughnuts and run back. I swear I could do it!

Carrie said...

LOL! Oh my! This is funny! :o)

I love beer, almost all kinds and I don't know if I could do that.

Fantastic DNF story!

Anonymous said...

hahah oh man, great story! I didn't know these types of races existed but I want in! Except.. I'm like you and probably wouldn't be able to stomach it.
I've never DNFed before, knock on wood!

Unknown said...

Gross! I HATE beer so I would have had a DNF for sure! There's a California Beer Mile in San Diego this weekend and they just announced it at track tonight and I almost threw up...just thinking about it makes me sick!! I loved your story!
Fun blog!

Johann said...

Haha, that is so funny! I once ran a hat race where the water points served beers. I never went back after that one.

I've been running since 1981 and yes, I've got a few DNF's. I remember 4. I need to think a bit what happened and will post on my blog.

Running Through Life said...

I loved that story. What a cool race, as long as no one was injured. How can you not like beer?

Pining for Pinterest said...

Hey, I am in Greenville. Where are you visiting?

Lindsay said...

Lol funny story! I think I'd be up for a beer mile - sounds like "fun"... Well, kinda. Obviously the puking I would hope to do without! I haven't DNF'd yet... Hope never to have to!

Jamie said...

That is a great story. And a race I would like to try :)

I had a horrible DNF. Chicago 07 marathon. My first marathon. Ended up in the hospital and to this day have no memory of the trip there or the first few hours in the hospital.

Coachdave said...

My DNF came at the worst time, Comrades Ultra Marathon 2010. Man I trained for this race, qualified and on race day felt hundreds, race started and all of a sudden I became violently ill, several trips to the bush and this resulted in missing the halfway cut off (44.5 km) which took me out of the race.