Nov. 4 Run: PPG Place downtown for 3Rivers/3Bridges run

Next up (assuming that downtown isn't underwater) is the famous 3Rivers/3Bridges run starting at the fountain/skating rink at PPG Place (aka Tomb of the Unknown Bowler.)  If it is underwater we'll get Anne Jane to give us rowing lessons.  Subsequent coffee probably at Commonplace but not entirely sure.

Our run Sunday was the "Bird" run of sacred memory - all round Squirrel Hill - however, it no longer has any bird related to it, and was in fact done in reverse (thanks PtB) so perhaps could now be called the Drib run.  We did see a fairly weird ghostly inflatable, and as always, the rain held off for exactly our running time.  Our coffee socializing was so extreme that I have covered both sides of a napkin in red scrawls and still despair of getting it all.  So, endorsements:

• Running Group homework - see TED talks:  Your body language shapes who you are - and - Stroke of insight
• Totally comfy Costco running shirt modeled by Galit, so it looked gorgeous, only $24.99
• Kindle-mania:  the Paperwhite surfaced and was marveled at. Apparently if you have Amazon prime, you can borrow e-books as well as buy them.  (But you can also borrow them from Carnegie Library and read them on a Kindle app on any device.)  AND there is such a thing as an Amazon Mom which could be a fierce female warrior giving birth, but also leads to great discounts on diapers.
• Vinyl records, which are coming back.  Is there hope for real books?  Is there hope for real humans?

Elaine confirms, through complex calculations having to do with age of daughters, that RG is coming up on its 20 year anniversary!  Party time again?  You bet.  Much excitement and pre-planning - Schenley Ice Rink?  Brooklyn?  Glasgow?  (We miss you, Anna!) Stay tuned.

Roye

Oct. 28 Run: Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill

The partying was so intense at the après run event at Wendy’s last week that no planning for this week took place, so let’s just start at Commonplace as the default and then figure it out.  Suggestion:  touring the annual Halloween inflatables (if anyone can recall where they are.)

Yes, it was a totally delightful event celebrating our own Elaine’s attainment of a doctorate, with a fabulous array of delectable eatables and drinkables (including a signature cocktail and genuine Chinese stirfry) and perfectly gracious hospitality and planning.  We can only hope that somebody else gets a PhD soon so we don’t have to wait too long to do it again.  Our run , (courtesy of our archivist PtB) had a “sounds” theme (appropriate to audiology,) and we were treated to crunching, crowing, and booming noises which occasionally were louder than our constant talking.  

PtB also sends in the answer to the puzzling Tamari question and some evidence that more of us are unaccountably signing off with:

cheers!

Roye

Oct. 21 Run: corner of Beechwood & Wilkins

Next week, Wendy will lead a surprise run from her house at Beechwood @ Wilkins, with this spectacular added attraction:

We runners (and some others) will be celebrating running group founder Elaine Mormer's completion of her dissertation defense. The gathering, a very informal breakfasty-brunch, will take place at my house next Sunday October 21 at 8:15 am, straight after our run, which will feature a “SOUNDS” theme.  Also featured:  debut of designer “ERM Cocktail” coffee drink.  If you want to bring something to share, great; if not, that's super fine--just come!

Please shoot me a quick email if you can make it so I have a rough headcount.

Elaine knows about this--so it's not a surprise.

Best,

Wendy 

wen.bennett@gmail.com

Last week’s run enjoyed the stellar conditions we’ve been waiting for:  soft light, perfect temp, brilliant leaves and gorgeous speckled views throughout Frick Park.  And speaking of added attractions:  alerted by a pop-up appearance by Anne Jane, we found a scene of stretch limos, movie trucks, and film crews ranged over Homewood Cemetery at dawn, making a new movie called Umbrella Man.  (No sightings of celebs though.) 

Too many endorsements to keep track of, and you can see they ranged wildly:

·         The Whatsapp app for free international texting regardless of plan, used intercontinentally by Pam

·         Newtons again!  Can get from roadrunnersports.com (supposedly with discount?), new running store in Shadyside, Zappos, etc. 

·         Post-race-for-the-cure:   really interesting article sent in by PtB

·         Our twin, the Walking Group – which meets every Saturday at 7 at the Make Your Mark coffeehouse on Reynolds – great cross-pollination!

·         If you want to volunteer for Obama, register at dashboard.barackobama.com, and there are many opportunities of all kinds!  (Equal opportunity promised – any Republican information will be posted if you send it to me.)

·         You can call China for about 1 cent per minute if you get a Love Card from loudclear.com – Yi recommends.

Oct. 14 Run: Frick Park from Reynolds and S. Homewood

Next up:  hoping for the REALLY perfect fall leafy views in Frick Park (we were a little early last week), starting at the grand entrance to the park at Reynolds and S. Homewood.  

Yes, we were a bit too soon for technicolor, but it was still a delightfully brisk autumnal run through the trees, and we explained to newish runners that this may be our only route that needs no leader - it's on autopilot.  

So many endorsements!

• Climbing at Coopers Rock, perhaps finding lasting romance!
• The Race for Pace - on Saturday, a good cause, and there's still time - 
• Cheryl's beautiful couch for sale: "7 ft. long sofa for sale. Color is "pecan". Very comfortable. Purchased 6 years ago for $2000. Will sell for $200!" (she's at: clevin@comcast.net)
• EcoFest - Recycle, Swap, Learn, Saturday October 13th 10am-2pm at Wilkins School Community Center (alert by Virginia) - "It is not easy "bein' green" but we will have fun trying!" 
• Yi's stir-fried cabbage (very easy, he says)
• and finally the NPR Tiny Desk Concerts, inspired by the music they were playing at Commonplace:
  • Kishi Bashi
  • Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

(which, forgive me for getting political, but you better see them before they go away along with Big Bird, unless everyone wakes up as admonished by Samuel L. Jackson.  Google that if you want to take it further - enough said.)

Roye

Oct. 7 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead for a Schenley Park Run

Now that we’re seeing signs of fall, we’ll start next Sunday at our well-loved Wendy Bennett Trailhead (both the person and the trailhead) to see the park at its most picturesque – wasn’t this run named as one of the most beautiful in America by Runner’s Magazine?  If not, what's wrong with them?

Last week was the Great Race: no reports in yet, but we are expecting happy ones. Our little alternate group moseyed around Homewood and Smithfield Cemeteries  and the plan was for us get up high and look down and wave at the assembled runners, but somehow we forgot to.  I promised to find out the meaning of those little stones that you see on Jewish gravestones – after some serious research, it seems that nobody knows for sure.  

Endorsement: a trip to Paris – pourquoi pas?  Jan will motivate us to learn French on the run, and then we'll have to go.