Mar 4 Run: PPG Place/Tomb of the Unknown Bowler

Tom rushed into Commonplace this past Sunday and told Wendy he would lead the run this coming Sunday from the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler in PPG Place (at the skating rink). He promptly left, leaving us with many questions - but where ever the run is, it will sure to be interesting so get there if you can!

Yet another sunny Sunday run - truly unusual weather for Pittsburgh but most welcomed. Virginia led us through the streets of Regent Square then down into Frick Park - a nice combination of urban and less-urban. We had a good sized group and commanded many tables at Common Place. I was hoping the other customers were not looking for a quiet Sunday morning coffee...

A lucky few runners spied two (!) Pileated woodpeckers by the tennis courts. You can just pick them out in this photo:

Feb 26 Run: Braddock Ave/Regent Square Tennis Courts

Thank-you to Wendy for her stellar review of last Sunday's run:

Virginia promised to join the run next week, which will commence from the Braddock Ave/Regent Square tennis courts.

A smaller than usual crew, including newcomers JoAnne, Lisa and Anna gathered for a sunny, slightly frosty but very familiar run. It felt like early spring tripping over the crunchy wet passages of the trail and hearing the sound of intermittent bird song. I momentarily derailed the flow of the run when I bent over to retrieve my handkerchief but we avoided a pile up and soldiered on.  

Afterwards, we commandeered our usual corner at Commonplace where Elaine led us in leg and hip stretches, Sarah reminded us about the date of the Pgh Marathon (she's doing the full--go Sarah!), Teri waxed poetic about Manfred Honeck's soft hands, Virginia discussed the new PG Steel Advice columnist and Cheryl introduced us to the app Shanghai Lite and vowed to organize a mahjong game, despite the fact that her tiles are plastic. David also endorsed itunes university, which offers free online courses featuring audio, video, books, and other content:http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/

AJG: MIT also offers free on-line courses: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/

Feb 19 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

Next Sunday meet at the entrance to Schenley Park at the corner of Bartlett and the Boulevard (aka the Wendy Bennett Trailhead) for a Presidents' Day weekend run.

The word "intrepid" was mentioned several times today to describe the hardy band of runners who showed up for a tour of wintry Frick Park. In truth, while it was certainly chilly, it did not seem quite as bitter as the day of the Troy Hill expedition. The park did not disappoint, offering stark winter views at every turn.

Several people ran directly home making the small group even smaller for coffee but I think it was one of my all-time favorites. Not only was the list of topics long and engaging but we even had a guest speaker. Carl, Elaine's husband, joined us to answer questions about reception on new TVs (no, you do not need cable), eating vegan (watch for an invitation to the Vegan meetup monthly meal) and making no-knead bread (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/081mrex.html).

Feb 12 Run: Reynolds & Homewood for a Frick Park Run

Betting that the fine weather will hold, next week gather at the entrance to Frick Park where Reynolds and South Homewood meet in a traffic circle for a run in Frick Park.

The triple thread run brought out a crowd of runners (a host, a clowder, a herd, a ?) including a new runner (Anna), a returning runner (Julie), N. Hills runners (Carrie, Bob and Carol) and a S. Hills runner (Louise). The mild winter weather made for a pleasant run around our beautiful rivers. There were many photo worthy views from bridge decks and river-side paths as the fog lifted with the sunrise. Overall it was just a smooth run - no big surprises or hills (although the steps to the West End Bridge were steep enough).

Even though many people could not join the coffee group there were still plenty left to fill-up such a long-table at Commonplace that I don't know what people at the other end were discussing but I am sure it was interesting!