Apr 3 Run: PPG Place for Three Bridges Run

In celebration of baseball's opening day, meet at the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler (the plaza at PPG) for a run around downtown that will pass the stadium and as the title says cross three bridges.

Run to the Run starting at 6:15AM at Phipps - it's all downhill to downtown.

It was not exactly spring weather but it was sunny and fairly dry making us glad to have an excuse to be out on such a lovely morning. We ran through Schenley Park and at several points happen to see the very place, Oakland Square, we stood last week looking out over the pond. In fact because of the lack of leaves we often were looking at where we had been or where we were going - I wish life was that clear!

I am not sure if it is just me but our coffee gatherings have been particularly enjoyable these past weeks. Perhaps it is the CommonPlace vibe, the shared bake goods, or the larger than usual group that showed up today but the rich conversations make it difficult to leave and get on with the day.

Thanks for Paula the Brit, who rejoined after her travels, for the route map:

 

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/30414336

Mar 27 Run: Wendy Bennett Trail Head

We will look for signs of spring in Schenley Park next week - meet at the Wendy Bennett Trail Head  (aka entrance to Schenley Park below the Oval) at the corner of Bartlett and the Boulevard.

People who would like to run to the run and a little more should meet at CommonPlace Coffee at 6:15AM.

Aimee led us on a tour of North Oakland this morning that included places we had been before but not in that combination. We took a longer look at Oakland Square than usual and for the first time noticed it looked out onto Panther Hollow. Then on to the Parkway Shrine, which we have not visited for a while. It looks like it has been lately renovated with new benches and a little grotto. All of this was tied together with a few jaunts into Schenley Park.  Aimee used the neat iPhone App from MapMyRun to track it so you can see our exact route here:
Here is the route. It starts at my house, so the group run part would be 0.5 miles less. Next time I'll start it from the coffee shop.
I thought you'd like this:
Click here


Those that were left after this lovely but longish run, enjoyed a leisurely coffee which included an iPhone app session - something that is becoming a regular part of our discussions. The fear is we might abandon conversation and just check out our phones - not really! But it is fun to find new tools. Along with the afore mentioned MapMyRun app, two food apps were recommended: Cake Love and Mark Bittman's app.

Mar 20 Run: CommonPlace Coffee for a S. Oakland Run

Next week Aimee will lead us on a new run that will include the Parkway Shrine, Oakland Square AND Schenley Park - sounds great, yes?

The time change got in the way of several people's run this morning, leaving Wendy to run solo to the S. Side and shiver while she waited for 5 more of us to show up. With a few clothing additions, Wendy was good to go and we had a calming run along the river-side trail past UPMC, toward Sandcastle. I think it was the lack of other runners, the flat trail and silvery/gray/brown landscape that felt soothing. Roye and I saw and heard seagulls, a summer sound in a winter scene...

Some of the late sleepers joined for coffee and chat. Today's topics ranged from iPhone apps, dress size expansion, personal shoppers, gift giving strategies (or how to get what you want) and a place to stay on the Island of Vieques where we all immediately wanted to go: Sea Gate Hotel.

Mar 13 Run: Hot Metal Bridge for a S. Side Trail Run - Again

*Editing this note to remind everyone that this Sunday starts Daylight Savings Time. Don't forget to "Spring ahead" or you will miss the run (but get a little extra sleep)!

Since the weather kept almost all be 3 hardy souls (who opted out also) from showing up for the run today we will do a repeat - but hopefully not the rain/hail/snow part. So meet at the parking lot next to the Hot Metal Bridge (on the downtown side). The entrance to the lot is at the intersection of Bates and Second Ave.

There will be a run to the run starting at Common Place Coffee at 6:15am.

I did manage a run in the snow a little later in the morning and saw 11 deer in the cemetery - amazing.