Jan 4 run: Phipps for a run to the top of Oakland and more holiday runs

I really meant to run with the group this morning but overslept! My husband and I had a blustery run along the North Shore instead but no inflatables.

Pam Murray sent a note to say that next Sunday's run will go to Herron Hill which I think is where the water tower sits in Robert E Williams Park. If this is correct, then last time we ran this (Aug 17) we met at Phipps.
A run to the run will leave the Coffee Tree at 6:45AM.

In addition to the usual 5:45 AM Forbes/Murray runs there will be alternates on Wednesday and Friday starting at 7AM from the Coffee Tree.
There will be a 7:30 AM New Years Day run starting at the Coffee Tree (start 2009 off right!)

And finally Pam sent along the information below about Canaan Valley, WV

---

From: Karen Rhodes - (Canaan) [mailto:RhodesK@canaanresort.com]
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 3:50 PM
Subject: Canaan Holiday Specials

Happy Holidays!

Have you made your plans for the holidays? Canaan has several offers available providing excellent affordable fun.

Offer #1

"Santa Special" with one night lodging and breakfast for $82 per person based on double occupancy. Package is available December 26 -31, 2008. Customize your package by adding items like skiing, tubing and ice skating.

Offer #2

"American Mountain Theater" The American Mountain Theater's spectacular Christmas Show www.americanmountaintheater.com sets the stage for a magical night of holiday memories. From Christmas classics to contemporary favorites, audiences delight in the variety of musical selections of this show. Sparklin costumes as well as their cast and crew, make this holiday treat a must see. The American Mountain Theater will be performing their Christmas Show at Canaan Valley Resort on December 27, 2008. Our package includes 1 night lodging, dinner, ticket for the show and breakfast for just $139 per person inclusive based on double occupancy. If you can't ojoin us for the show on the 27^th, they will also be performing their regular show on January 24, 25, 31 and February 14 and 28, 2009. Come join us for a great family fun filled evening.

Please check our website at www.canaanresort.com for all our great packages and specials available at Canaan Valley Resort.

If you would like further information or would like to book your trip, please call us at .1-800-622-4121 and press 1 for reservations.

And don't forget about our "New Years Eve Gala"

Family Bash New Years Gala

Featuring buffet dinner, DJ, games and more! Featuring surf and turf dinner, live band, midnight toast

and more! (semi to formal attire)

Hickory Dining Room "The Greens" in the Laurel Lounge

Highlighting an assortment of culinary creations A local favorite featuring a variety of music.

Have a Happy Holiday

Karen A. Rhodes

Senior Sales Manager

Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center

HC 70 Box 330

Davis, WV 26260

304-866-4121, ext 2681

800-622-4121

rhodesk@canaanresort.com

www.canaanresort.com

Dec 27 Run: Tom's House and Holiday Runs

Tom will take the run again this coming Sunday, Dec 7. Meet at his house on Ayelsboro, contract in hand.

Holiday Runs
Wed, Dec 24 5:45 AM Forbes and Murray (usual Wed run)
Thu, Dec 25 7:30 AM Coffee Tree, which may not be open
Fri, Dec 26 5:45 AM Forbes and Murray (usual Fri run for those who have to work or like to get up early)
and 7:30 AM Coffee Tree - that is right two runs on the same day

Today's run was a big present full of notable events and sights. It started out with a drive to the run to the run, where four environmentally conscious drivers car-pooled down to the Hot Metal Bridge. We left the warm car and joined our new North Hills member, Carol, for a dark and windy run down the jail trail, arriving just in time to meet up with the group for Tom's famous, non-controversial Holiday Run. This included

• A stunning view of our rivers, the tree at the Point and the very tiny wreath on the stadium
• Cannons at the Fort Pitt History Museum (have we seen cannons before?)
• The Horne's/ Highmark Tree as well as an equally sparkly tree in the building across Stanwix Street
  
• Tom's place of work, dressed up for the holiday
• The tree at the hotel near the Convention Center which keeps changing hands so I don't remember its name
• The hallucinatory color display on the new bus terminal
• The creche on the US Steel Plaza, which we thought could benefit with the addition of a few wise runners
• The wind music tunnel, a gracious gesture on Tom's part in deference to last year's run
• The tree and Menorah at the City Building on Grant Street where Tom rescued a deer
• The appearance of Chaton who had been trying to catch up with us

And if that was not enough there was drama at the Coffee Tree as Cheryl and Elaine worked out an elaborate scheme to retrieve Cheryl's car in which she had locked both her and Elaine's keys. The solution is too convoluted to report here but thanks to Virginia and Elaine's daughter, Beth all was made well.

Dec. 20 annual Downtown holiday run/PPG Plaza

All

Thanks to Virginia for her wonderful notes on the upcoming and Sunday run! 

Note that the Holiday run starts at the ice rink/big tree on PPG Plaza at 7AM as usual. There is plenty of free on-street parking at that time of day for those who would prefer not to run to the run.

Anne Jane

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Anne Jane -- 

    Tom will lead his annual Downtown holiday run on Sunday, Dec. 20. A caveat on this one: At the end of this morning's run, Tom handed out a "contract" that requires next week's participants to "respect the run" (meaning, no side trips or requests for side trips) and that runners not discuss or compare next week's route with previous Downtown holiday runs and that participants would run cheerfully along the route  (no grumbling about not being able to take side trips or that this is not the way we went before, etc. etc.......) A couple of the eight runners who showed up for this morning's run "signed" the contract with their muddy sneakerprints and others said they would take the contract home for review.

    Anyway, there was interest in creating a run to next week's run so read these instructions carefully. If you would like to get a ride to the run to the run, meet at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 6:20 a.m.  The run to the run begins at 6:30 in the parking lot right next to the Hot Metal Bridge on 2nd Avenue. (This is the same parking lot we've met at before to do South Side runs -- it is on the Oakland side of the Hot Metal Bridge over the Mon, not the South Side Works side; Drive down Bates to 2nd Ave., turn right and take the first entrance into the parking lot and swing left to park near the bridge) There is a ramp from this parking lot that will connect us to the Jail Trail.

     This morning Elaine led us from the Coffee Tree along the Bob O'Connor memorial route, which in the opposite direction is known as the bird route because of live birds that used to be in the window of a Morrowfield Street shop (maybe 10 years ago). The group suggestion that perhaps we can add a description on our blog about how each of the participants in the running group came to part of this wonderful Sunday morning ritual. We ran by Cheryl's childhood home on Beechwood which sparked a lively discussion about our bedroom decor when we were all growing up which for some included orange or pink shag carpet and posters of the Monkees.

D

Dec 14 Run: Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill

After today's inventive run we decided to take a break on creativity and meet at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill. Route will be decided by whoever shows up. I will be in Austin and would appreciate it if someone would email me the location of the following Sunday run.

It was a testament to the promise of a new run from Cheryl (or perhaps the coffee afterward) that 11 people showed up on this blustery and snowy morning. Although the run was made slightly shorter at the request of chilly participants, we toured a wide variety of neighboorhood schools, dropping off runners as we veered by their houses. I think the final total was 7 schools: Sterret, Linden, Children's Institute, Whightman, St. Bede's, New Church School, Shadyside Academy. Five of us stuck it out to the end and were rewarded with scones, nutbread, muffins, fruit, coffee and as always, lively conversation in Cheryl's cozy kitchen. While the streets were snow covered and the wind chill was noticiable, it was a run to remind us that once out there, it is not as bad as imagined and can even provide unexpected pleasures.