Dec 4 Run: IHOP on Brown's Hill Road

Continuing the tradition of welcoming breakfast related places to the neighborhood, we will meet at the new IHOP on Brown's Hill Road next Sunday. It is a convenient starting point for an Allegheny River loop: down river to the Glenwood Bridge, across the bridge, weave through Sand Castle, then back over the Homestead Grays bridge. I am hoping that others that ran this route last summer will help me remember the tricky parts. If you like you can stay for pancakes after the run.

I am sure there will be run to the run, probably from Common Place - it is about 2 miles from there so I will say starting at 6:35 AM.

Clear skies and a bright sunrise was a good way to finish off a Thanksgiving weekend and a nice start to the holiday season. We ran through one of my favorite (are you thinking that every run is a favorite of mine? I think you might be right!) cemeteries: Homewood. I love that this little piece of quiet is right in our neighborhood. Today we saw 5 deer but no other humans. It was a soothing run - I suspect we will all relish these breaks as we rush toward the end of 2010.

Nov 28 and Holiday Runs: Common Place Coffee - but check the times

Virginia will lead a 5 - 6 mile run from Common Place Coffee on Thanksgiving Day starting at 7:30am.

The day after Thanksgiving the run will leave Forbes and Murray at the usual 5:45AM time - ask Tom for details.

Sunday Nov 28, the run will start at Common Place Coffee as well at the regular 7:00am start time.

Mist in the morning makes everything look ethereal, picturesque,[fill in your favorite adjective here] as we saw on the spectacular run that Joanne led this morning. We climbed up and up through Morningside to Stanton Heights catching glimpses of Highland Park, both the neighborhood and the park, as if we were in the clouds looking down. The sun coming up through that veil of mist stopped us mid-run - a bronze globe peering through the lacy black trees. If that were not enough, we saw sights along the way: the first crèche and inflatable of the season (not in the same yard); numerous small cement statues and other elaborate house decorations; a survey of Mildred's Daughter's Farm, perched improbably at the top of a hill in Morningside; the empty building that will be the new Park Brugge and on a more somber note, the block where the three police officers were killed a few years ago as well as the ball field that was named after one of them. A most satisfying run, completed with coffee, cinnamon rolls and apple tarts.

We have a lot for which to be thankful!

Nov 21 Pre-Thanksgiving Run: Tazza D'Oro for a Highland Park Run

Next Sunday meet at Tazza D'Oro for a run through Highland Park. We are hoping Joanne will be lured out to lead us. Bring some $$ to buy luscious cinnamon rolls and coffee at Tazza D'Oro.

Run to the run will leave at 6:30 AM from Common Place Coffee - please pass by Shady and Wilkins to pick up any locals.

Not sure why this run felt like a special one but there were certainly many contributing factors:

• One of EE Runners's favorite routes as evidenced by the 17 people who showed up! (see photo)
• Stunning views of the city and the river from the 31st bridge (see photo)
• Drop in visit from someone from my rowing team - I love it when groups collide!
• Enough leaves on the trees to create a golden corridor on the River Trial
• Painted stone duck at the new trail construction site and enthusiastic new member (see photo)
• Return of Carrie after her ankle twist, of Pam who has been busy with a new job and of Carol who paid us a visit from up North
• Melt-in-your mouth meles and smooth coffee at La Prima
• A longer than usual post-race conversation during which I learned that the phones in elevators are linked a central service center not someone in the building and that the close door button on elevators is there only for show

Thanks to PtB for the photos!

Nov 14 Run: 21st & Liberty Ave for a tour of the Strip District

Many thanks to Virginia for capturing this past Sunday's run:

Even though it was 32 degrees, we drew a nicely sized crowd this morning and had a newcomer -- Janet Waldeck, aka, Dr. Waldeck, Allderdice High School physics teacher. She has taught (and is teaching) many of our children. What fun! She worried about trailing the group in her inaugural run with us, but was clearly one our stronger runners as we ran through still-beautiful Frick Park. We hope she returns!  Karen reports that Carrie (sorry if I'm misspelling your name) is recuperating with a sprained ankle after her stumble in Homewood cemetery in the darkness of early Halloween last week, and was planning on joining Karen after the run for a gentle walk.

 

Next week, one of our favorites:-- 21st Street in Strip District. We meet at the parking lot at 21st Street and Liberty.

Run to the Run begins at 6:20 a.m. in front of Commonplace Coffee. I'll be thinking of those luscious almond pastries all week! Cheers