Inside Sarah Spain's new book — and her favorite spots in Chicago
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Sarah Spain and her new book. Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Spain
Chicago sports journalist Sarah Spain has turned one of her most popular ESPN articles into a book.
The big picture: "Runs in the Family: An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood, and Belonging" with Deland McCullough is based on the story of McCullough's life after he unsealed his adoption records to reveal family secrets.
What they're saying: Spain says she heard McCullough's story through a friend and immediately wanted to help tell it. "Any story that can give you chills and make you tear up with just a five-minute summary is very, very special," Spain tells Axios.
Zoom in: Spain also hosts the daily "Good Game" podcast on iHeartMedia, which is the only daily women's sports show.
Spain took some time out of her busy schedule to tell us about her ... busy schedule!
- Here's her perfect day in Chicago.
🥛Breakfast: "If I'm within a mile or two of Left Coast in Lincoln Park, I have to stop. I'll start with a Mornin' Buzz smoothie — a delicious mix of espresso, cold brew, banana, peanut butter, dates and other delights, followed by the Montecito Hash."
🏋️♀️ Morning activity: "I love starting my day with some sort of exercise. Injuries from my college years as a heptathlete have limited my workout options, so I was thrilled to be introduced to Inferno Hot Pilates at the 105F studios. It's a HIIT-style class using pilates principles but on a mat."
🥗 Lunch: "I'm a sucker for a great salad and one of my favorites is at Antique Taco in Wicker Park. It's a kale-based salad with red pepper, fruit, spicy peanuts and cranberries, queso fresco and tortilla strips."
- "They've also got my favorite vegetarian taco in the city, too. Their Potato and Poblano taco, with crispy potato skins on top. So good."
🦮 Afternoon activity: "I've got three amazing rescue dogs, Fletch, Banks and Indy, so I love taking them for walks around the neighborhood. On warm days, I love walking our youngest pup, Indy, all the way to Humboldt Park."
- "If the Cubs are playing and the sun is out, I head to Murphy's Bleachers for a beer on the patio before heading into Wrigley Field, and on not-so-beautiful days, I'll catch a Chicago Sky day game at Wintrust Arena."
🍽️ Dinner: "I find there are too many amazing restaurants in Chicago to have a "go-to" for dinner. That being said, the vibes at Aba, Cabra, 3 Arts Club Cafe, Armitage Alehouse, and Fioretta make them all worthy of return trips. And a night home is often "catered" by my delivery go-tos, Thai from Silli Kori or Indian from Vajra."
🎸 Evening activity: "I'm a huge live music person, so if one of my favorite bands is in town, I'm there. I especially love shows at the Salt Shed. Both their indoor and outdoor spaces are killer."