East End Runners

So many decisions could have been bad!

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Sep 2nd Run: Shadyside Coffee Tree, Labor Day Run: Squirrel Hill Coffee Tree

Next Sunday we will meet at the Shadyside Coffee Tree, on Walnut Street across from Prantls and Max and Erma's, for an improvised Shadyside Run or if you have a plan for Shadyside run, you are welcome to lead us.

Monday is Labor Day and tradition says those in town meet at the Squirrel Hill Coffee Tree at 7PM for a run.

Tom broke out his Case Western shirt (which still fits!) for the back to college run this morning. He took us by CMU, Pitt and Carlow, seeing the buildings where a few of the group work as a side benefit. The very hot, humid weather finally passed and although still not quite cool, running was definitely more pleasant as we thought about returning students and the end of summer.
Paula the Brit brought along her husband, Ian and yet another new colleague of her and Elaine's to coffee after their walk in the park. This is good reminder that we usually end up at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill around 7:45 - please feel free to join us even of you haven't run. Of course this coming Sunday we will be meeting in Shadyside but you can meet us there too.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

August 26 Run: Tom's House at 5434 Aylesboro

Tom has offered to lead a "back to college" run from his house at 5434 Aylesboro (near Forbes Ave) this coming Sunday. Wear your school colors :-)

This morning we saw the storm damage in Schenley Park first-hand as we climbed over and under trees that had fallen on the Steve Faloon Trail and, although the skies were cloudy it never rained. It was dogs all around at coffee! Julie brought her dog Chloe on the run so of course she accompanied us to the Coffee Tree. Murray occupied his usual place under our table. Elena came along to get coffee for her house and had Blue with her. But, the piece de resistance was a visit from an 8 week old puppy who was passed around baby-like to get pets and snuggles.

Monday, August 13, 2007

August 19 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

This coming Sunday's run is an "old favorite" through Schenley Park. Meet at the entrance to the park at the corner of the Boulevard of the Allies and Bartlett aka The Wendy Bennett Trailhead.

It was one magical view of the city rising out of the mist after another on yesterday's Three Rivers Run. Although there were only a few of us running, including Chaton (welcome back!) who now is one of the Urban cool living on the North side, we all agreed it was definitely a Premier event. We discovered an interesting sculpture near PNC Park that thanks to Roye's observant eye, made some dubious social statements (why were those women crouching?). We watched workers pull a tree to standing that had been toppled by last week's storm. And we ended the run listening to the spiritual tones coming from the sound sculpture. Perhaps it is the lovely weather but it seems like all the runs this summer have been special.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

August 12 Run: Three Rivers Run - meet at the Benedum

Next week Elaine is providing a break from interminable Coffee Tree runs by leading one downtown that crosses over all three three rivers and on which the only up-hills are the slopes up to the bridges. This is one of the running group's "premium" runs so join us, if you can. Meet in front of the Benedum Theater on Seventh street between Penn and Liberty.

A run to the run will start from Phipps Conservatory at 6:15 AM. Those of us choosing this option will be sure to bring bus fare just in case.

Today we had a make-it-up-as-you-go run through the atmospheric Chatham College campus which as usual, did not dissapoint us. Although there was a lot of hill climbing we were charmed by the New England-like architecture as we pondered questions such as: Is it graffiti or is it art?, Are those sculptures or inventive ball dispensers for summer camp?, Was there really a set of steps to Shady Ave? Back at the Coffee Tree we entertained the morning crowd by doing a few Yoga poses, lead by Roye.