After Party: "Cottonwood Chords" from Mountain Khakis'

Because after the running stops, life goes on

Welcome to Run Jukie's newest segment - After Party - where we'll talk about and review some of the things that make life after your run that much more sweet. And, we're not talking about a dry shirt and a banana. We'll be writing about great food & drink, hip clothing, and just plain cool stuff that'll make you feel like every day's been marked by a PR.

Kicking things off - "Cottonwood Chords" from Mountain Khakis (site). And, yes, they're pants, which usually isn't something to get excited about. But, these pants are different. As comfortable as a pair of sweats--but warmer, more assuring, and downright stylish in a mountain kind of way--these will become your go-to pants after your 12 mile training run or 50 mile ultra. They're a fine wale chord but have the thickness and richness more common to wide wales. And don't worry about looking like a reject from the Preppy Handbook, these pants have a great high-altitude look--notched pockets (with two on the right side), gusseted crotch, reinforced heal cuff, and a cool, lined fly flap. Without missing a beat, the "Cottonwood Chords" can take you from the finishing chute to the sushi bar. Although they're missing a dedicated cell phone pocket and are a bit pricey (retail $75.00), their look, feel, and construction make them an After Party must have.

Science Wire: Celebrating a great race? Champagne's the thing

Leave it to the Brits to actually make a scientific pronouncement about the best alcoholic beverage with which to celebrate a hard won victory. In this week's British Medical Journal, researcher Robert Douglas describes the case study of an Aussie rules football player who ingested a beer bottle cap that lay at the bottom of the victory trophy he was drinking from (story, with x-ray). After experiencing trouble breathing, he went to the emergency room where all was eventually set right, following a slightly uncomfortable endoscopy. Douglas took the liberty to follow up the story with a medical literature search on similar health effects of beverages drunk on the field of victory. His conclusion was that champagne was the best choice, with nary one documented case of breathing problems brought on by ingestion of a cork. He says: “Since the 18th century, champagne has been the beverage of choice for celebrations and on current evidence should remain so.” Race directors take note!