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?