Last Friday, Nike slapped down a few ads right on top of Chicago's beloved lakefront recreational path to launch the start of a 17-week marathon training program in anticipation of Chicago's marathon this Fall. (Just an aside, I hope race officials are stocking up on water for the big race this October after last year's Chicago Marathon water controversy.)

According to Julie's Health Blog, Nike stuck 10 decals down in the middle of the bike lanes just a few seconds apart from one another for the typical runner cruising by. With slogans such as "You're beautiful when you're sweating" and "Forget the wind, run like a freight train," the ads were allegedly placed without permission. It's reported they have an extremely short life span, about three days, and would have been removed with a complaint from the city. No word yet on the Chicago Park District's response to the ads, says Julie.

With or without permission, slap-down ads bug me. The last place I'd want to step on a fun decal is during a glorious run along Chicago's spellbinding lakefront. As one commenter pointed out, beyond the marketing intrusion, are the ads slippery when wet? Could they trigger a rubbernecking crash? I detest the concept of temporary corporate slap-down ads on recreational paths, even for a fitness training program.

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The Chicago Marathon debacle is all over the news. It was so hot in Chicago yesterday, hundreds of runners were taken from the course by ambulance, and race officials stopped the race. Twenty-five runners are still hospitalized. Thirty-six-year-old Chad Schieber, a marathoner from Michigan, died.

Was there enough water and sports drinks out there to fulfill the tremendous hydration needs of more than 35,000 runners on a sweltering day? Race officials say yes. Many runners are saying no. According to a friend of mine who made it through mile 16 when the race was halted, there was definitely a water shortage. He says the race officials are full of sh**. They're lying. During his time on the course, the race was mostly out of water and Gatorade after the second stop until approximately mile 12. Cups were hard to find.

What pushed him onward was the generosity of Chicagoans. Normally cheering runners on through the neighborhoods, they dug deep and pulled out garden hoses to douse runners, and handed out water bottles and sports drinks either just purchased or swiped from their fridge. The energy and aid from these Chicagoans made the difference for many. My friend believes they probably saved lives.

Let's be clear there were serious water shortages along the route. Even more disturbing, this October heat wave was forecasted for days. Race organizers should have been better prepared. However, I am glad they stopped the race -- good call.

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The unusually high October heat wreaked havoc on runners at the Chicago marathon today. Three hundred marathoners were treated for heat-related conditions and tragically, one runner collapsed and died during the race. Temperatures soared to an unnatural 88 degrees with oppressive humidity, and four hours into the marathon, race organizers called it off.

Fall is usually a great time for outdoor exercise with its cool crisp days. But until someone tells the weather that autumn has officially arrived, it might as well be summer outside. Be careful out there.

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