Did Not Finish: Misadventures in Running, Cycling and Swimming

DNF Series #1

by George Mahood

Is running a marathon with your partner a wise idea?
What about taking part in a triathlon together?
George is about to find out as he and his wife Rachel put their marriage to the test. Now settled into life in Devon with their three children, they try to encourage a more active family lifestyle with camping holidays, family bike rides, hill-walking and canoe trips. But things rarely go smoothly.

Meanwhile, George continues to set himself ridiculous challenges. Having been a complete novice swimmer only a year earlier, he decides to confront his incompetence head-on.
By signing up for a 10km swim.
How hard can it be?

Anyone reading George’s books hoping for useful training tips for their own adventures and challenges might be disappointed. His training methods and pre-race preparations are unconventional and perhaps not recommended, but there might be some nuggets of unintentional wisdom amongst the chaos.

Did Not Finish is a series of books about George and his family’s adventures in running, cycling and swimming. From ultramarathons to triathlons, 10k swims to European cycling adventures, George promises fun and laughter every step, pedal, and paddle of the way.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2021

About the author

George Mahood is an award-winning writer. Specifically, he was placed third in the Little Brington Village Fete's limerick competition (Under 10s category) in 1988. It was the same year that Mrs Marriott's legendary fruit loaf was beaten in the WI cake contest for the first time in six years.

George studied Communication Studies and English Literature at Leeds University. After spending a year travelling in the USA (with clothes and money), he worked for several years in a variety of jobs including charity fund-raising and garlic bread making. He currently works as a photographer, specialising in weddings. George has been the lead singer and guitarist of a rubbish band and the chairman and midfielder of an awful Sunday-league football team.

George has plenty more madcap ideas that will form the basis of future books. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch, see more photos from FREE COUNTRY, and to hear about future projects.

www.facebook.com/georgemahood
www.twitter.com/georgemahood

Reviews

[Christie Bane · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not that this book wasn’t good. Any story about marathons/triathlons is most likely going to at least entertain me, and this one did. I enjoyed the tone of the book and the way the author gently mocks himself and his wife and everyone else who participated in these events, while still respecting both people and events. The reason for the three star rating is that I felt like I was reading a blog rather than a book. I didn’t feel like there was an overall theme or depth to the book — it was more like “we did this, then we did this, then we did this.” The book didn’t even have a DNF in it, which I kind of would’ve expected given the title — just a bit at the end about how DNF-ing is better than DNS-ing. It was entertaining and the writer has talent; I just wished it was longer and more developed.

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay for a quick read, but I’ll record a DNF for the series

I felt that this book was okay for a quick read on running and triathlons but it is not one to become informed or learn about the sport. It is quite entertaining when the author talks his spouse into participating with him, but that was about the only aspect of the book I thought was very good. Worth the time to read, but glad it was a free offer.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've followed George Mahood since reading his first book, Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain several years ago (highly recommended). His books are never very challenging but they're gentle, familiar, and always amusing. And now there's suddenly six of them to enjoy, with more on the way. DNF Book 1 is as enjoyable as ever and centres around George's family life, his wife Rachel's growing love of running, and his preparation (or lack thereof) for a 10K swim. I'm looking forward to Book 2!

[Tony Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, as akways!

George's books never disappoint. This was funny, touching, inspiring and a little terrifying all at the same time - a fascinating roller-coaster of a book, and one I enjoyed every minute of. I can't wait for the next one, to see what other insane challenges he signs himself up for... Or worse, signs his poor wife up for! Pure entertainment every step of the way. But it now ;)

[Tina Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was ready to read a fun, lighthearted, humor-filled book on training for triathlons. I was not ready for a book that poked a little too much fun at one's spouse.

Maybe I'm unaccustomed to British humor about marriage, but the comments the author makes about his wife's habits annoyed me. The author may be a fun-loving triathlete, but I'm thankful I'm not married to him.

This book was an easy-to-read, fun account of training for triathlons. Recommended only if you can mentally brush off the comments about the author's wife.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

George sets himself (and his wife) some serious challenges and Did Not Finish appears to be the start of a journey of physical challenges.

As with some of the other personal challenge books I’ve read, I found the journey the author went on quite inspiring. Despite reading it on a frosty Saturday afternoon, I felt the urge to get my own runners on… admittedly I didn’t as I’m still an extremely novice runner. But the urge was there and him taking his daughter up a mountain and her sense of achievement reminded me of my own family’s trip up Arthur’s Seat and my boys’ beaming grins at the top.

Their family holiday to France made me smile. The couple, having signed the kids up to a kids club, went for a run to a small fishing town that I spent a number of half terms in so happy memories came flooding back.

This entertaining compact read not only inspired me as a wannabe runner (I don’t do cycling or wetsuits) but also as a parent. Getting my kids involved in physical challenges is a challenge in itself but Mahood has given me that umph to do it! I’ll be getting myself the next in the series to see what George and the family Did Not Try.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Although the obsession began in adulthood/parenthood, the author and his wife are both invested in running marathons, with the occasional triathlon thrown in for good measure. Their three young children amuse me because their patience (or lack thereof) with parental hobbies is so very familiar to anyone with kids.

I liked the author's philosophy that a "Did Not Finish is always preferable to a Did Not Start." If I ran, I would be most drawn to the Hash House Harriers club that he describes (there are now more than 2,000 such clubs worldwide!). The members describe themselves as "a drinking club with a running problem," and begin and end their journey at a bar. And they all give each other somewhat sexually suggestive nicknames like Baroness Fanny Flaps, Horny Rampant Badger, and Deep Throat Snow Queen. It would be worth joining just to get a nickname.

[Susie Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! In fact I have just read it in an afternoon! As someone who enjoys running but isn’t particularly good at it and has a partner who is much better, I understand the joy of completing events together. I drunkenly signed up to Green Boy, a 30 mile ultra, on New Year’s Eve 2023 to be done in March this year. My partner promised to stay with me and he did, it was brutal due to the awful weather but spending the day together doing a crazy challenge was just wonderful. So I really related to George and the pleasure he felt completing the marathon and triathlon with his wife. And fair play for completing the 10k swim, I can’t imagine anything worse! I may now have to read some more of the series.

[Mrs Olga A Danes-Volkov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouragement for (nearly) all

I am a huge George Mahood fan. I've read several of his books and they have been extremely funny. The one about him completing an Ironman only months after a terrifying spinal op was truly inspiring.

This book is also inspiring if you're young and able enough to be inspired by it but sadly since I started out as a George M. fan I have become not only old but disabled so his determination and endurance is not for me. However, if you're young enough - or even old but with working arms and legs - read this book and get on out there!

[Yola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. As someone who is just dabbling her feet in triathlon events, I’m interested in reading in endurance sports, as that is the only thing I know how to continuously do, reading. This book is light hearted, at the same time inspiring. It almost makes me want to do the Dart 10k!

It also helps that I read most of this book in Devon (Sharpham House specifically) and finished it after my retreat.

It’s been a lovely read and have already ordered Operation Ironman for my next read!

[Kelly Lamoree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and entertaining

I realized mid way that I’d done the author a great disservice; ihas assumed from the book and series titles that they would exclusively be about thinks he’d tried and failed. I realized that is a lot of fail to ascribe to him. He very much does succeed I. Making his adventures engaging and laugh out loud (I refuse to use LOL) funny. He also tries activities I’d never attempt, so I can live vicariously. I can’t wait to read the next.

[Clark Goble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this little book were witty and quite enjoyable and George Mahood is a talented writer, however, I grew tired if the random stream of conscience that meandered between running, biking, and swimming anecdotes. It was entertaining at best and irrelevant at worst. It was sort of like reading an extended magazine article … suited well for passing the time in a waiting room, but not much else.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable albeit incredibly short read. I'm not a sporty person (despite swimming regularly and cycling occasionally) and it's really lovely to read about someone competing in all these events just to try something new or different and to see things from a different perspective. In my ignorance or naïveté I just kinda thought everyone participated because they were on a mission to achieve some kind of higher state of consciousness and fitness. 😂

[Jwilko25 · Rating 2 out of 5]

He spends a lot of time undermining his wife in the book and makes a few repetitive jokes that aren’t funny at her expense in between plugging all the other books in the series. It reads as a bit of a string of anecdotes about a few different events they’ve done together or separately. The end was good but I’m not sure I’d read another book in the series.

[Pat Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by this author and both have been great. I love the stories, the glimpse of what life in England is like and the inspiring perspective of someone who is willing to get out of his comfort zone and try new (often hard) things. I’ll definitely be reading more of his books.

[Cyndee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did the.best you can

What a challenge in everything he foes after. First he gets his.wife running and than he ends up. Signing up for a big long swim. Will he make it? Enjoyed reading a very honest.book of pushing through a challenge. With some humor thrown in. Great read along with his other book

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is one of my favorite authors for humor, I found this book as bit less humorous. I was amazed at some of the athletic feats both the author and his wife accomplished, and enjoyed this one but it wasn't my favorite.

[Carol Rode]

George Mahood, a great author.

Another great book by George Mahood. I thought I read all his books but after reading a different book by someone else I found out he had another few other series of books. Talking about the hikes or swims was interesting . Anyway on to book two.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Not Disappoint

I have been following George (not literally) for quite some time now. I've enjoyed all of his books so far and can't wait to start the next one in this
series.

[Linda Mekeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring

Even though I'm the type of person who manages to injure myself or need corrective surgery if I immerse myself in any sport, I am inspired to finish all my projects I have left unfinished.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this as much as I did Ironman. I wish it were longer. He's got a sequel, though.

In this book he writes more about his joint races with his wife, and she is a hoot. Plus their interactions are hilarious, but I don't want to tell about any of them and give away the fun.

[Eckar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a nice and enjoyable reading, not more not less, perfect companion while you are on a bus or in a train, not especially for recreational runners ó swimmers but they for sure, will enjoy the more reading the adventures of Mr. Mahood and his family !

[kevin wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun

I was once young and fit enough to take on such challenges. It makes me smile to read of your feelings whilst you are taking part in similar challenges to the ones that I have I have attempted. Keep up the good work.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and inspiring…

I felt like I’d run the Rome marathon with them and complete the Dart 10k. Highly entertaining with a few laugh out loud moments. Definitely worth a read and it gets you thinking about how you could challenge yourself.

[Paul cole]

Superb as ever

Without fail another great inspiring read from George. I blame this bloke for a lot of my blisters. I would highly recommend everything George has written so far. I'd also say that you will almost certainly feel the need to enter something.

[naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book as are all of his books. A lot of fun and inspiring. Well written and edited. The perfect books to lift the spirit during this depressing pandemic.

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs some encouragement and some motivation to keep on trying. Doesn’t matter if you are a DNT finish it is trying that counts

[Carrie Trabbic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love his books!

George Mahood's books are always funny and pleasant reads. I have read all of them prior to this new series and already bought the next two in the new series. Starting, "Did Not Try" now.

[Jamie VanMersbergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4. George never lets me down.

[john a allison]

Fittingly funny

Just like his other works, he is brutally honest, and absolutely hilarious. I cannot wait to read #2 , thanks George

[Terry Lynn Corsello · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pleasant enough.