Jason Austin's Blog Life and times of a PHP Developer in Raleigh, NC

COMPLETE – Krispy Kreme Challenge 2010

It is 7:40AM.

It is 31 degrees.

Ever so lightly, snow begins falling from the sky.

And here I am, with some of my best friends, getting ready to experience one of the most awesome traditions at NC State.  The Krispy Kreme Challenge.

Going in, I knew I could handle the running.  The course was about 4.6 miles in total.  I knew I could do that, but outside?  At 31 degrees?  I have never done that before.  The doughnuts were a different story.  I figured I could eat them, but I learned a bit later just how much I had underestimated the power of a little, round chunk of doughy heaven.

There is a guy in front of us that is running in a speedo...and that's it.  There's also a dude in a gorilla costume, a banana costume, and a guy running around with a giant doughnut on his head.  I'm thinking to myself "These are my people!  NC State friggin rocks!".  Behind us are a few UNC folks.  We all decide that if we were gonna puke, we should do it in their direction.

Finally, it's time to start.  "On Your Mark.  Get Set.  GOOOOOOO".  Bam, Andrew takes off like he was shot out of a cannon.  I'm fairly sure I am running over people to keep up, but we're even before too long.  The whole crowd is running at a very fast pace.  We are a block away from Krispy Kreme and a guy, escorted by Raleigh's finest, is on his way back.  That dude must have been running like he stole something.  Time check...16 minutes down.  Holy crap!  We ran that fast!  We run past mountains of doughnuts before some volunteer FINALLY hands me my box.  I open it up and think to myself "Oh S**t, that's a lot of doughnuts".

I squish 2 together, and get them down quick.  Next up, I squish 4 together and start chomping.  I make my way around the building and get some water and start alternating bites with water.  The bites are so sweet my jaw starts to hurt.  I squish the next 4 together and start eating it.  I look at Andrew with an I-don't-think-I-can-do-this look.  He says "Don't think, just eat".  I black out for the next few minutes and when I come to, I am on my last 2 doughnuts.  Must.  Get.  Water.  I dunk my last 2 in my water, shove them in my mouth and bam.  I did it!  2400 calories and 12 doughnuts down, 2+ miles to go.  Andrew and I chuck our boxes in a huge pile, right beside a guy projectile vomiting.  Time check...35 minutes have passed.  We start our jog back.

Dave find us as we are leaving KK.  He's holding his remaining doughnuts like a football.  He ate 4 of the 12.  We call him all kinds of affectionate names

Andrew and I are jogging pretty good and keep telling each other "follow the yellow line.  We can do it".  We turn to jog up the hill to the final turn onto Hillsborough Street.  I'm feeling good.  We're about 3/4 of a mile from the finish line and I tell Andrew the finish line is only a quarter of a mile away.  He threatens me with bodily harm if I am wrong.  Time check...50 minutes passed.  We're good.

I see the finish line.  I take off.  Whoa buddy...too fast.  It would suck to barf this close to the finish line.  A few seconds later and I cross the line.  Erin and Leah are yelling at me.  I imitate Rocky, throwing my arms to the sky in celebration.  Official time...56 minutes, 49 seconds.  I made it under and hour.  SUCCESS!

Andrew finishes right behind me.  Dave is a few minutes back, but makes it in under an hour.  None of our crowd threw up.  We did it.  Our wives are somewhat proud.  We people watch a little bit.  Saw a guy who recreated Justin Timberlake's SNL skit for "D**k in a box".  Another dude is dressed like one of the Reno 911 cops.  Wow...a chick dressed like Cyndi Lauper.  Good times, great people.  We are NC State.

I'm cold.  Tired.  Full of a whole bunch of doughnuts.  But I couldn't be any happier.  I accomplished something today and it feels great.  As we walk back to the car, I am already thinking that I will do this again next year.  And that there is no way I want another Krispy Kreme doughnut for a while