It’s 346 days to go. And I’ve decided: no more alcohol until race day.

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been almost alcohol-free — the occasional glass of wine or beer here and there, but nothing regular.

Now, I’m going all in. Zero.

Can I really stick with it?
That’s the challenge — not just the cravings, but the comments.

“You’re not drinking?”
“Just one beer won’t hurt!”
“And what about the finisher beer?”

I’ve done this experiment before, while training for a marathon. Back then, it started with a small switch: I replaced regular beer with alcohol-free. Honestly, it was easier than expected. I quickly realized something surprising — that beer on the sofa wasn’t about alcohol at all. It was just a habit. Bonus? The morning miles feel much easier without half a bottle of wine the evening before.

And guess what?
The alcohol-free version gave me exactly the same experience. Same ritual, same relaxation — minus the alcohol. The best part? After 30 seconds, everyone around me forgot it wasn’t a “real” beer. They relaxed. No questions. No pressure.

But if you’re holding a glass of water at a party?
That’s when people notice. And sometimes, they get weirdly uncomfortable.
Why is that? I really don’t know. Maybe you can tell me.

So here I am, starting the final 346-day countdown with a clear head, black coffee… and lacing up for my next run.