We ran the 2026 Chicago Marathon together and we had a rough race but it was fun and memorable. I am Dr. Leo Kormanik and my co-host is Zach Goulet. Our guest John Hahn is 58 and he ran a major for the first time. We talk about the heat, nutrition mistakes, and how those factors hurt our pacing and legs. We describe the expo, crowded corrals, and strong crowd support in the final miles. We share lessons learned and practical tips for runners who plan to race Chicago or any major. I am Dr. Leo Kormanik. I speak plainly about what happened at the 2026 Chicago Marathon and what it meant to us. I describe how the day felt warmer and more humid than forecasts suggested. I explain how that heat, combined with aggressive carbohydrate plans we borrowed from elite racing, changed the physiology of the day. I note that my Achilles tweaked near mile 14 and that I chose to walk and preserve my body rather than push to a worse injury. I reflect on how the race still felt grand. The expo and the crowd were remarkable. I praise the volunteers and the water station setup. I mention the bridge tunnel with strobe lights and the long, loud finish where the crowd carried runners in. I close with a measured view: majors are worth the effort, but one must plan for local course heat, logistically arrive early for corrals and bathrooms, and adjust fueling when conditions are warm.

Takeaways:

• We experienced unexpected heat at the Chicago Marathon and learned to adjust nutrition and pace accordingly.
• I did a hundred mile week three weeks before the race and my legs lost power during the event.
• We found that heavy carbohydrate intake in warm, humid conditions hurt performance and made our muscles feel heavy.
• I had to back off and walk many miles when my Achilles and hamstring gave me trouble during the race.
• We praised Chicago's expo, crowd support, water station setup, and finish area energy despite some start logistics issues.
• I loved the start under the bridge with lights and music because it lifted my energy early in the race.
• We noted the broadcast had errors and poor focus which reduced the viewer experience of several key race moments.
• I recommend getting to the corral earlier, planning bathroom breaks, and protecting shoes from bridge grates and course hazards.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Nike
• Adidas
• Gatorade
• Planet Fitness
• FloTrack
• LetsRun
• Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
• Cleveland Guardians