I am a former soda addict, but have been soda free for 18 years! Ok, addict is a strong word, but when I was in middle school, I would drink 6 cans of Coke or Pepsi every single day. I would drink one or two with breakfast, another with lunch, one after school, and a few with dinner and before bed. Yikes!
When I was in 7th grade, my friends and I were discussing what to give up for Lent. Riveting topic of conversation, I know. I couldn’t think of anything that I would have a hard time doing without other than my soda. So, I was guilted into giving up my beloved drink.
Those six weeks were rough, but I made it through. The days leading up to Easter morning, I stocked the refrigerator shelves with rows and rows of Coke. I was ready to make up for lost time.
On Easter morning, I popped open a can the second I woke up, and guess what? It tasted horrible. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been soda free ever since.
Soda free doesn’t mean I haven’t had a drop of soda since that day back in 7th grade. There have been a few exceptions. If I go to a gathering where only soda is served, I will drink it. If I’m at someone’s house and they don’t have coffee and I want some caffeine, I will drink a soda instead. And the final exception (that I can think of right now) is after every marathon I’ve run, the one thing I crave so badly is a soda… any kind. I just want something sugary, carbonated and caffeinated.
My caffeine of choice these days. You guessed it – coffee!
There you have it. Another super exciting look into my non-running life that always seems to relate back to running. 
Have you been successful at giving up anything you loved? Do you drink soda? What do you crave after a marathon/tough race?
I was addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper and sweet tea (southern staple). Two years when I realized I needed to lose 40 lbs, I quit both of those. Every once in a while I will crave a Coke, especially after a race. But I love my coffee!
Oh, sweet tea. I could not give up sweet tea entirely, ever! I’m so impressed. I grew up in the south and even now, living far from home, brewing that first batch is one of the ways I celebrate the arrival of summer.
Love my coffee too! YUM!
I’m not a soda drinker, but as soon as I started reading this I was craving one! I have one maybe a few times a year, at restaurants. I can imagine it would be a tasty, post-race treat, though!
I’m a sucker for a cold beer after a hot race. Somehow I’m able to justify drinking one at 8:00 am, after a 5k. lol
Haha, I’m such a bad influence, J!
Yes, a cold beer is totally justifiable after a hot race, even at 8am!
That’s awesome, Jen! Did you notice a difference in how you felt, physically?
I can take or leave soda, except when I’m pregnant. Mexican Coke saves me every single first trimester when I’m nauseated, and then it’s an amazing treat until the baby is born – I bet it’s similar to that post race craving. And then, I’m just not into it.
I didn’t notice a difference in the way I felt, but then again I was young, and I feel like my body bounced back from all sorts of garbage I put in it during my early years. I definitely can tell a difference if I have one now, or have a week of super unhealthy eating (think post-marathon week at my parent’s house. Lots of m&ms and other junk and no fruits or veggies!). My youngest brother recently gave us mountain dew and he said he sees a huge difference. He drank SO MANY a day and has been off it for a few months now. He has hit a new running breakthrough and he said he feels great!
Wow, I’m so impressed! I don’t drink soda very often but I do LOVE fountain soda. My husband will bring it home for me everyonce in awhile as a silly but awesome surprise. I also know what you mean about craving it after races. The carbonation always helps my sensitive tunmy.
People often say fountain soda is the best! I never thought about the carbonation helping a sensitive tummy but that makes sense! I think I’m going to head straight for the carbonation after my next marathon! Oh great… now you have me wanting to run another marathon!
Jen you look 10 years old in that picture! I love coffee. 2 years ago I stopped drinking coffee just to see what would happen/if i could do it. Made it 9 months–> holidays/cold came and I was back on the coffee train. No pop for me…unless we count an occasional sugar free red bull:)
Haha, Joe you are funny! Well, the pic was taken before I had Currie, and kids immediately age you like 20 years so I guess it makes sense.
I am not a soda drinker….but the other night, I had a crazy craving for root beer with our pizza! Before that, I think it was a few years since I drank anything carbonated!!
Hmmm, root beer with pizza! I remember drinking root beer floats as a child. I don’t even like root beer but I thought it was a special thing to eat/drink.
When I first saw the title, I was like wow, Jen just went pop-free (hehe)…then I read and it made more sense, I would have thought you were not a pop drinker. Me neither but there are those rare times I will drink a fountain pop — like if I am hungover.