June 7 Run: Hot Metal Bridge for a south side trail run

We will meet at the usual parking lot to the right of the Hot Metal Bridge on the 2nd Avenue side and then run on the lovely bike path toward Sand Castle. Hopefully the string of beautiful weather will continue.

Note that there will be a run to the run starting from the Coffee Tree at 6:30 AM.

Please respond to this note if you are going to drive to the run and would be willing to leave from the Coffee Tree at 6:45AM or conversely if you want a ride to the run.

The slight cooling trend made it just the right temperature to run through Frick Park on this sunny morning. Even though Julie was not there there were enough people who knew how to get us in and out of the park without getting lost. We agreed that this is a wonderful time of year in Pittsburgh with all the green and none of the dustiness that comes later in the summer.

Talk over coffee was all about the coming G-20 conference. We thought perhaps we might invite Michelle Obama to run with us - or at least join us for coffee :-) 

May 31st Run: Colfax School

There is no leader for this coming Sunday's run but either a) Julie will turn up or b) we will run through Frick Park and hopefully end up back at Colfax School.

It was one of those hot/humid/hazy Pittsburgh mornings but Tom lead a lively (well talkative) group on a mixed up version of a regular run through CMU and Schenley Park. At least the park was shady and green so it gave the illusion of being cool. An added bonus was the re-appearance of Sharon Riddler. 

While the run was certainly picturesque the best part of the morning, for me at least, was the leisurely visit over coffee at the end. Sitting outside in the sun on a holiday weekend, talking about everything and more, is a true harbinger of summer vacations (of which I know some of you are on). So while we may not be at the beach or in Paris, we made our own little place or rest and renewal.

May 24 Run: Tom's House - Memorial Day @ Coffee Tree

Next up:  Tom will lead next Sunday from his house, 5434 Aylesboro, to who knows where?  Also, there will be the usual pick-up holiday run on Memorial Day, at 7 at the Coffee Tree.

Unexpectedly cool but perfect running weather took us on the new Squirrel Hill run fashioned by Paula the Brit last week, a Run with a View certain to be repeated, although this time, no giant cow!
http://icecreamjournal.turkeyhill.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/giant-cow-driving.jpg

CTR (evidently the moniker for Coffee Tree Roasters, seen on a poster for their pet biking group - what about us?!) conversation centered on runs, past, present and future, our new expertise on washing machines, and the Great Julia Child.  We speculated on a run in the near future that incorporates some form of public transportation.

May 17 Run: Coffee Tree - Yes Again!

Since the last two weeks have been out of the ordinary, we will meet at the Coffee Tree in Squill one more time to get back on track.

Some accident of time and space prevented me from meeting up with the few runners that showed up for the run this morning. We all were at the Coffee Tree at what we thought was 7AM but we somehow missed each other, although we found each other at the end of our runs. Despite the separate runs we, and I am sure all of you running the Race for the Cure, enjoyed this picture post card morning: it was cool, clear and sunny, the trees were bright green, the flowering bushes vibrant - we could not have asked for a prettier day.

I ran through the cemetery and reflected on motherhood, mothers here and those who have died (not surprisingly as I was running in a cemetery). I thought about how we all mother through being mentors, managers, teachers, gardeners, pet owners, doctors, coaches - all those activities involving nurturing. So Happy Mothers Day to all of you!

Spirit of Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon

Thanks to Teri and Yale for the info!

This isn't until October but it might be worth putting on the calendar - it looks great! 

http://www.spiritofpittsburgh.com/ 

I have a postcard for it with a promo code (PM09) for $10 off the registration fee which you can use to register on-line. 

You can save another $10 by using the promo code SOPACT09 also. They are still charging the $40 fee (which was to expire 4/1), as well. Hence you can into the race for 23.25 (there is a 3.25 processing fee).

-

May 10 Run: Coffee Tree in Squill again

Next Sunday is Mother's Day and the Race for the cure (http://www.pittsburghraceforthecure.org/). If you are not running in the race, going out for brunch or having breakfast in bed, there will be a "pick-up" run from the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 7 AM as usual.

A big shout out to all EE Runners and friends who participated in the Pittsburgh Marathon and 1/2 Marathon - as well to everyone who recently completed 1/2 marathons in other places.

Plus a big hug to Chaton who is recovering from a rough round of illness!!

Three of us showed up this morning, ensuring the tradition of Sunday runs was not broken. Although there only a few of us, we managed to cash in on some of the marathon good-will by running a small portion of the course here in the East End. The streets were already closed providing us the rare opportunity of running down the very middle of 5th avenue. People setting up aid stations and getting ready for registered runners were quite happy to give us a round of applause as we blazed by (well - at least we were running). As we ran we relived our marathons of years past and imagined having to run another 10 miles from where we were (not so easy any more).