East End Runners

So many decisions could have been bad!

Friday, November 30, 2007

East End Runners FAQs

Updated 2 January 2011
When does the group run?
There is a run that begins every Sunday at 7 AM from various places, usually around the East End of Pittsburgh.


How long are the runs?
The Sunday runs are usually 40 - 50 minutes long. Often there are also "runs to the run" for those who want to go a little farther.

Where do the runs start?
The runs start at different places every week.

Who creates the routes?
There is usually a leader who knows where they are going, although there are runs that are creatively devised by the group if the leader does not show up.

How do I find out where to meet for the Sunday run?
The current "secretary" sends out a note the week before the run saying where to meet.
You can also find the location of the Sunday run in our
Blog: http://eastendrunners.blogspot.com/ Check out the links section on the bottom right hand corner of the page for other helpful information.

Are there any weekday runs?
Every Wednesday and Friday there is a 3 mile run that starts at the corner of Forbes and Murray at 5:45 AM (yes that is in the morning).


Do you run in the winter? in the snow? in the rain?
Yes, but the group might be smaller - there has been at least one run where only the leader showed up - so feel free to sleep in if you don't like nasty weather or if it looks like the footing will be uncertain.

Any other runs?
There is usually a default holiday run that starts somewhere in Squirrel Hill at 7:30 AM (you get to sleep in!) on July 4th, Easter, Labor Day... you get the idea. Watch your email for confirmation or just turn up and take your chances.

Does the group run fast?
The group runs somewhere between a 10.5 - 12 min/mile pace. There are various levels of runners in the group but we don't leave people behind.

Does the group do anything else but run?
People frequently meet for coffee after the Sunday run. Lately we have been meeting at the Common Grounds Coffee House on Forbes Ave in Squirrel Hill but we also try out places near where we run - such as the Big Dog Coffee Shop on the South Side or Tazza D'Oro in Highland Park

How many people are in the group?
As of January 2011 the email list has 95 people on it (up from 65 in November 2007!) but there are usually only 5 - 15 people on the Sunday runs and 4 - 10 on the weekday runs. We are not sure why all those other people are on the list but unless you ask we won't delete you.

How do I remove myself from the list?
Send a note to the person who sends out the information about the Sunday runs.

Are there membership dues?
Are you kidding? We often don't know the last names of the people we are running with.

Who can join?
Anyone who likes to run and is referred to the group by another member.

Do I have to run every Sunday/Monday/Friday?
This is a very free-form group. Show-up whenever you like, we will be happy to see you.

Does the group have a motto?
Yes, it has two: "So many decisions could have been bad" and "Start slow and taper off."

How and when did the group start?
It was started 15+ years ago by a few mothers of small children who wanted to get some exercise. Ask Elaine Mormer and Susan Hunt for more details they are members of the original group.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Dec 2 Run: PBT Parking Lot (31rst St Bridge run)

All
In a continuing celebration of bridge openings, next Sunday we will run across the 31rst bridge to Herr's Island and the running trail along the Allegheny River, perhaps adding a loop around the Island for fun. Meet at 7AM in the parking lot across from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre/School which is on the right side of Liberty Ave. going into town, at 29th street. If you have time, bring along some extra cash just in case we decide to eat breakfast in the strip, perhaps at DeLuca's or Pamela's (both Pittsburgh legends).

It is difficult to find enough appropriately enthusiastic adjectives for this morning's run. 6 of us ran down to the South Side enjoying the clear, cold weather and sightings of the full-moon in that early morning sky. Luckily Tom showed up when we reached our destination or I would have been writing about our run back up to Squirrel Hill. Instead, the 6 of us (Tom opted for the bridge but joined us on the way back) overcame a few obstacles to run across the pedestrian portion of the Hot Metal Bridge and it was well worth it! The bridge is very wide and offered us a stunning view of the sliver-bright moon glimmering over the city sky line and Monongahela River. We headed toward the city on the wooded path that skirts the river and under several of Pittsburgh's many bridges. Tom reeled in Elaine, who I think might have taken us all the way down to Station Square, just as we passed under the 10th Street bridge. She led us into the South Side for the Urban part of the run. We once again visited the Victorian Tea Garden and Duke's Tire Service which does not have a web page but Tom tells us you can get while-you-wait service and reasonably priced tires. We also passed the The Double Wide Grill where several of our members have enjoyed meals as well as many other South Side bars and restaurants. We saw a clutch of police cars at the Birmingham Bridge and thought perhaps we were in trouble for earlier transgressions but they were surrounding a gushing water main break that was icing up the road. We quickly passed, trying not to attract attention and finished with another bridge crossing this time with the rising sun on our right and the fading image of the full moon on our left - spectacular.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Nov 25 Run: Hot Metal Bridge/ South Side

To celebrate the opening of the pedestrian section of the Hot Metal Bridge, Elaine will lead us across this new path (no more risking our lives as we sprint across the car part of the bridge) and then on a discovery run around the South Side. Meet in the parking lot of the business closest to the bridge in the Pittsburgh Technology Center. If you are approaching the bridge from downtown, take the right just before the light at the bridge. It is the corner of Second Ave and Hot Metal Street.

There will be a run to the run starting at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 6:20 AM.
Just a reminder that there will also be a run from the Coffee Tree starting at 7:00 AM on Thanksgiving (the Coffee Tree opens at 6AM).

I led the run today which included traversing Meade Street from Linden Ave to Braddock Ave. I wanted to show the group the wide variety of houses (including one that looks like an Italian Villa) and businesses (Construction Junction, East End Coop, Shady Lane School) that can be found in this little corner of the East End. Despite the cloudy/damp morning, more typical Fall weather than we have seen lately, a good number of people showed up including Chloe the dog, one of the running group's mascots. We followed the run with a particularly boisterous gathering at the Coffee Tree.Nov 25 Run: Hot Metal Bridge/ South Side

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Nov 18 Run: Linden School

Next week, another South Point Breeze run - this time across Meade St. Meet at Linden School.
We discussed doing a Greenfield run and one to visit the shrine over the Parkway but since no one who was at the run this morning remembered exactly how do to either of them, I thought I would give us another week to figure them out (any ideas Tom?).

Today was certainly one of those runs to remember! Pam lead us on a discovery tour of Hidden Pittsburgh - or at least South Point Breeze. We visited Westinghouse Park, ran by the place where Pam's husband has his business and the East End Brewing Company which we would never have found without help! We saw a boarded up house with a satellite dish and some little patches of country right in the city. And if that was not enough, Pam managed to get the owner of the Oh Yeah Ice Cream and Coffee Shop to open up early so that we could feast on home-made waffles and ice cream with great mix-ins. Definitely a run to repeat!

Someone requested the link to the Three Rivers Rowing Winter Rowing League: http://www.threeriversrowing.org/r-winterrowing.html
There is a new round of (indoor) lessons starting up in January which I would highly recommend.

Glad to be back for our Sunday Runs!
Anne Jane

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Nov 11 Run: Highland Ave and Alder (Arhaus' Parking Lot)

From Pam Murray, a new starting place is always fun:
Next weeks' run...we will meet at Highland & Alder (Arhaus' parking lot) for a run, and coffee and ice cream at "oh Yeah" afterward. pjm

I am sure today's run and coffee afterwards was wonderful given Wendy Bennett was visiting from California. I will be back on the job next week (yay!).