Where can I shower in Memphis?

November 29, 2007 7:00 PM

I feel like a moron for asking this: Where can I take a shower in Memphis on Saturday? No, I'm not asking to use yours.

So here's the thing my dumb ass did: I'm signed up to run my first-ever marathon in Memphis on the 1st. I got a sweet deal on a room right near the course for Friday night. Plan is spend the night Friday, run the race Saturday, get cleaned up and go home, kiss my fat baby and put him to bed, then open that bottle of red we bought in Tuscany to celebrate my Shaft-esqueness.

What I didn't realize until it was too late was that (1) the hotel won't let me check out later than 1:30 on Saturday, and (2) I don't run that fast, so I won't be able to make it back in time to shower at the hotel room after the race, not after all the snacks and rub-downs and mylar blankies and stuff. My only option, it appears, is to drive home after the race without showering -- smelly, caked in salt, and longing for the sweet pulsing showerhead reward.

Now, we only live two hours away, so it wouldn't be that long of a wait, but I stink like hell after even a short run, so I'd like to have mercy on my wife and get cleaned up so she doesn't have to spend two hours in close quarters with my ripe undercarriage. Is there anywhere nearby we can stop off and use shower facilities, like a university gym or something where I could slip in quietly for a quick delousing? I'm honestly not fishing for an invite to someone's home here.

My wife thanks you in advance and requests that you heap mocking upon me.

posted by middleclasstool to travel & transportation (14 comments total)

Phone the marathon organizers for advice?

One-day membership at the YMCA?

Are you sure you'll feel up to driving 2 hours after a marathon? I've volunteered for many years for the NYC Marathon and seen many runners after the race in no condition to do much of anything.
posted by JimN2TAW at 7:08 PM on November 29, 2007

Go to a health club, take a tour, get the sales pitch, and ask for a few free day passes.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:10 PM on November 29, 2007

You're not likely to want to go on a tour of a club or do much talking to people. And you need a shower -- it's good for your muscles. Do you belong to any gyms at home? They might have a reciprocal agreement with a gym down there. Will the hotel let you pay a day rate for use of the room (keep your stuff there, shower/change afterwards)? Does the hotel have a spa/pool? If so, there will be showers there. If you call ahead, I bet they'd let you shower in the gym or spa area.
posted by barnone at 7:12 PM on November 29, 2007

You're not likely to want to go on a tour of a club or do much talking to people.

That's why he should visit the health club the day before, on the Friday, before the event, so he can show up Saturday, after the event, free day pass in hand.

duh!
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:16 PM on November 29, 2007

Truck stop. Memphis is a big town, there should be a big truck stop on the edge of town that has pay showers. Usually pretty clean and well maintained too.
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:17 PM on November 29, 2007

Looks like you can shower in the stadium at the end. "Dynamic finish in AAA baseball stadium (with use of locker rooms and shower facilities)."
posted by barnone at 7:17 PM on November 29, 2007

It says to bring your own soap and towel. I'd bring some flip-flops too. But that will work just fine, I'd imagine.
posted by barnone at 7:18 PM on November 29, 2007

I can use the Redbirds' locker room? OH HELLS YES.

(And the wife's driving, so no worries there.)
posted by middleclasstool at 7:21 PM on November 29, 2007

See? I was smart not to book the room a second day. I get to use the Redbirds' locker room! Suddenly I'm 12 years old!
posted by middleclasstool at 7:25 PM on November 29, 2007

mct honey you need to hook yourself up with one of these: car shower.
posted by gomichild at 9:32 PM on November 29, 2007

(Good luck! Let us know how you do...)
posted by Ian A.T. at 4:46 AM on November 30, 2007

Don't forget about just a regular Solar Shower. Any camping store has them. You could pre-fill yours at the hotel and wrap it in something to keep it a bit warmer.

I just use a big towel and my vehicle to block casually viewing. You can buy plastic/mylar 'walls' for even more privacy.
posted by whoda at 6:29 AM on November 30, 2007

Just got back in town a couple of hours ago. My right knee hurts so. Goddamn. Much. IT Band stuff, I'm gonna have to stretch it out about every 30 minutes to keep it at bay, plus my sister-in-law (who's a massage therapist) is going to come over tomorrow after lunch and beat the hell out of (nearly) everything of mine from the waist down.

My unofficial finish time is 4:55, which is on the high end of what I'd been shooting for. I'd really wanted to come in about ten minutes faster, would have made an offering unto the Lord if I'd finished at 4:30, but under five hours was the target.

I was on pace for 4:45, but the back half of that course is damn near all uphill, and my IT Band troubles also played a role.

Oh, and the clubhouse locker room and showers were fantastic. I guess AAA is high enough up in the minors that you get your name on your locker and everything. Good times.
posted by middleclasstool at 4:53 PM on December 1, 2007

mct, dude! you know where a post like that'd be AWESOME?


ON YOUR DAMN BLOG!
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posted by coriolisdave at 3:15 AM on December 7, 2007