Spa-ah! Equinox Marathon Massage

It might seem a little presumptuous to start thinking about what you're doing after Sunday's 34th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. After all, we're still three days out from the race and crossing the finish line can still be up in the air--you know, in case you have to drop out, you get injured or the predicted 79-degree heat becomes too much on the body. But forget the negative what-ifs. You're determined to run 26.2 miles no matter what, and you know you'll be crossing that finish line on Columbus Drive, feeling your muscles burn and ache at least once on the course, craving a beer or other post-race treat once you regain your appetite and can eat more than gels and Gatorade.

Back to those burning muscles. You're aching, you can barely walk, you're hobbling from point A to point B (trust me: I've been there). You want some relief and recovery, simple as that. Your method? Massage. It's good for recovery, it relaxes and softens your tired and overused muscles, and it'll pump oxygen through your overworked body--and that's just for starters. Here's a deal that you can't refuse: The Spa @ Equinox is offering 15 percent off all massage services to those who participated in the Chicago Marathon. They want to celebrate and congratulate your accomplishments, too, and they want you to feel even better in the process. To claim your reward, visit one of the four Equinox spa locations in the Chicago area: Highland Park, North Michigan, Lincoln Park or the Loop, and bring your marathon bib with you. This offer runs from October 10 to 16, so you won't have to rush over on Monday, especially if you're still relishing in your accomplishment and getting your medal engraved.

Whether it's a sports, Swedish, shiatsu or deep tissue massage, I know my muscles will thank me later. And that's a reward I can run 26.2 miles for, or maybe it's the other way around.

Photo courtesy of Equinox.

Marathoners Own Chicago

You've put in the training. You've logged the miles. You've caught yourself ogling marathon gear more often than you should be on your computer. You've been dreaming of this weekend since you registered for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in February. In other words, you're ready to own this race, own Chicago.

And Nike wants you to do just that. Except the company known for its running shoes, gear, accessories and Chicago Marathon sponsorship doesn't expect it to happen through sporting official marathon gear. Even though wearing a Run Like El shirt is one of the easiest ways to accomplish owning Chicago, Nike has you beat with an even easier option. You don't even have to leave your computer to do it--or better yet your smartphone.

Age-groupers to watch and follow in Kona, Ironman World Championships

Craig Alexander. Chris Lieto. Andreas Raelert. Chrissie Wellington. Mirinda Carfrae. Julie Dibens. I could go on--Faris Al-Sultan. And on--Caroline Steffen. And on--Linsey Corbin. Sure, we can all name a laundry list of professional triathletes who are racing at this year's Ironman World Championship, the big hoo-rah in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, but what about the age groupers, Ironman Foundation athletes and lottery winners in the mix?

From age-group speedsters to friends and acquaintances who are racing on October 8 at the Big Dance, here's who I'll be following from my perch in middle America.

Race Without Trying: Bucktown 5K

After crossing the Bucktown 5K finish line

Bucktown: how I have missed you. Bucktown: you’ve changed…for the better. Bucktown: I think I might have to run you again…next year.

I’m not sure how a less-than-23-minute race could be so memorable, yet it was. Actually all of the short efforts I’ve run since July—thought few and far between—have been. But what made this 5K different:

• It must have been at least five years ago that I last ran this race. Correction: it was 2005, six years ago, and I was a first timer (but I felt like a course novice today, too).
• I barely slept the night before and almost didn’t go—my bed was very cozy at 7:30 a.m.
• I forgot how to dress for cooler weather running. Wake up to air temperatures claiming to be in the high 40s and I freak out, wear gear that’s ideal for standing in the cold but overheats the minute I start moving, and start feeling uncomfortable at the first mile. When you stand around the start corral and look at what others chose to wear for the race, you realize how many better options you left at home. Yes, arm warmers, pocket tank and lightweight Nike pullover, I’m talking to you.

Nike's Chicago Marathon Gear, Where Art Meets Running

One advantage to living in the city of the marathon you're going to participate in: you get to see to gear up close and personal before everyone else rolls into town and starts wandering their way through the expo and Niketown. So when you learn Saturday morning, by no one's fault but your own (the event was posted clear as day), that an event later that afternoon will provide an exclusive unveiling of Nike's 2011 Chicago Marathon gear and LunarGlide+ 3, you drop everything and run. Literally.

And to AKIN's Lincoln Park location I went to see what all this hype was about. Who knew that an afternoon away from the stationary bike, elliptical and pool could be such a good thing? Not only to appease the gear junkie that takes up residence within any time an event rolls around, but also to see a celebration of running removed from its usual confines. Art, running, streetwear? When you're a runner like me and you're standing among an audience who look (and shoot pictures) like they high-tailed it from New York's Fashion Week, it's weird, but even I could appreciate meeting local artist Tara D., who designed the 2011 Chicago shoe and T-shirt featured below and got even cooler when she stopped crafting to talk about how she designed these marathon wares.
Because I didn't expect her to say, "I don't know any runners at all." Wait, what? Since she couldn't reach out to friends to learn about Chicago running, she says that she reached out to the community and started studying at the running stores. And I'm not trying to be presumptuous in saying this--I swear something to this effect was expressed--but she married these two small local communities together, the proof was laying on the table.

Whether you're starting to virtually shop for Chicago Marathon goodies before you arrive into town and attend the expo or you locals want to beat the rush and purchase your marathon wish list now, here are more items to add to the roster. Without further ado, the 2011 collection as seen at AKIN.

Nike LunarGlide+ 3 and Dry Fit Tee designed by Tara D.