What do you think of when you hear the word “burrito?” Do you think “black or pinto,” or do you remember that guacamole costs “a little bit extra?” (Yeah, more like two bucks extra.)

Now, when I hear the word “burrito,” I don’t think any of those things.  I go into convulsions and I begin to spit and vomit uncontrollably.  All because of a little something called the Burrito Mile.

Started at WJ in February 2007 by Rafi Moersen, the Burrito Mile is a non-school sponsored event that donates its proceeds to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“Basically you eat a burrito and run a mile as fast as humanly possible,” said Sean O’Leary, this year’s event organizer.

The rules are as follows:

Rule 1: You must eat your burrito completely before running.

Rule 2: You must run four laps (1 mile).

Rule 3: No barfing in the consumption area

Rule 4:  NO BARFING in the consumption area.

Sounds simple, right?  Maybe individually, these tasks would be easy.  It’s pretty easy to eat a burrito.  It’s pretty easy to run a mile.  It’s pretty easy to control your stomach and avoid barfing all over yourself and others.  But not when you add them all together.

All in all, the Burrito Mile is a great event.  Not just because you get to see the contents of your stomach on the asphalt track. Not because you can’t eat normally afterwards for weeks. Not because…well, you get the idea.  It’s a great event because it helps a great cause and because the atmosphere is great.  There is no stronger bond than that created by 400 people barfing together in unison.  It’s a beautiful thing, really.

If you did the mile this time, kudos to you. If not, I hope to see you next year at the “BurritOlympics.”