You, Couch Potato, Can Be a Chicago Marathon Pro (From the Comfort of Your Sofa)
Let's face it, running 26.2 miles is a feat reserved for actual cyborgs and squirrels with a serious case of the Mondays. But fear not, fellow enthusiast (enthusiast of watching, that is), because the next best thing to feeling the burn in your legs is witnessing the Chicago Marathon in all its glory. And by "glory," we mostly mean watching people sweat more than a conspiracy theorist at a fact-checking convention.
Channel Surfing? We Got This.
Gone are the days of fighting over the remote with your grandma who desperately wants to see "The Price is Right." The Chicago Marathon offers a buffet of viewing options, so you can customize your experience based on your level of marathon fandom.
-
The Traditionalist: Tune in to NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago, or TeleXitos for classic TV coverage. Think expert commentary, inspirational stories of people running in tutus (because, why not?), and maybe even a commercial for adult diapers (because, you know, running).
-
The Stream Team: Peacock, NBCChicago.com, and TelemundoChicago.com are your new best friends. Catch the entire race live, skip the commercials (unless it's for those crazy inflatable tube men, those are classics), and maybe even pause to make a bathroom run that the marathoners would envy.
-
The Hardcore Fanatic: Looking for in-depth analysis and a community of like-minded marathon groupies? CITIUS MAG on YouTube is your jam. Their alternate broadcast starts even earlier than the traditional channels, so you can be glued to the screen before the sun even remembers it has a job to do.
Pro Tip: If you're feeling fancy, set up multiple screens. One for the main race, another for the CITIUS MAG commentary, and a third for live traffic cams so you can virtually cheer on runners at different points of the course. Bonus points if you wear a toga while doing this.
But Wait, There's More! (Because Why Not?)
Let's be honest, watching people run in circles can get a little...hypnotic. Here are some ways to spice up your viewing experience:
- Marathon Drinking Game: Every time a runner wipes sweat (disclaimer: please drink responsibly!), take a sip of your beverage of choice. By the end, you might just feel like you ran the marathon yourself (without the whole, you know, running part). Just don't blame me for your inevitable hangover.
- Social Media Shenanigans: Live-tweet your commentary, marathon puns, and existential questions about the meaning of life while watching people run ridiculously long distances. Who knows, you might go viral (#ChicagoMarathon #ICouldntEvenRunToTheFridge #MotivationNeeded)
- Become an Expert (Armchair Variety): Impress your friends and family with your newfound knowledge of carbo-loading strategies, the science behind chafing (because, science!), and the history of the spork (marathoners gotta eat, right?).
So there you have it! With these tips, you'll be a Chicago Marathon pro in no time (emphasis on the "pro" part coming from the comfort of your couch). Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important research to do...on the best snacks for watching marathons.
