13 Half Marathons Later, I Finally Elevated My Recovery Day

08.08.2024 - 13:04 / cntraveler.com

Generally speaking, my post half marathon recovery looks a little something like this: Go back to the hotel or Airbnb, stretch out on the floor for a few minutes, Hyperice the heck out of my legs, take a shower, and head back out to see more of whatever city I'm in. As my friends and I make our way through a goal of running this distance (13.1 miles) in every state, my recovery plan hasn't evolved much beyond this routine. So when the opportunity presented itself to try the much more elevated suite of wellbeing services offered to amateur athletes like myself at Park Hyatt Chicago, I jumped on it.

Park Hyatt, located on the Magnificent Mile, sees an uptick in bookings leading up to the wildly popular fall Chicago Marathon. It also welcomes many local runners for both pre- and post-race meals. In response to a growing interest in mind-body health by travelers of all kinds, not just runners, the property has been expanding its wellness offerings. In addition to the services I was set to try, the hotel recently redesigned two of its suites turning one into a Mindfulness suite and the other into a Wellbeing one, each kitted out with a Bryte Balance bed and an array of health-focused amenities.

I stayed in the Wellbeing Suite the night before and the night after I ran the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 race this June, a lovely course on a somewhat hotter day than expected. The space, an absolutely gorgeous suite, felt more like a (very upscale) apartment than a hotel room, with a large open living area looking out onto Lake Michigan; a Tonal machine in the corner; a minimalist, zen-like bedroom; and a massive bathroom with a walk-in rain shower and standalone tub. Upon arrival, juice shots, nuts, and fresh fruit were waiting for me (a major upgrade from the assortment of chips in the kitchen of the Airbnb I'd stayed in before my last half).

In addition to getting a great night's sleep—the Bryte bed is designed to sense and relieve any pressure points—it was a nice having a yoga mat (and bench) in my room for stretching purposes, rather than having to stop by the hotel gym or bring my own.

The morning after the race, I started my recovery day with a visit from Stephanie, a registered nurse who also works at a nearby hospital, and a DripIV. Stephanie got me set up with an IV treatment designed to help people “recover from workouts and illness quickly.” Vitamins B12 and C, Magnesium, Lipostat, and Glutathione go to work to “help boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and support faster muscle healing.”

Stephanie told me I'd be able to feel the benefits within a couple of hours, and that they'd last between 24 and 36 hours. While I'm not a fan of needles, it was quick and painless, and it was nice to have a