East End Runners

So many decisions could have been bad!

Monday, July 29, 2013

August 4 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead (beginning of Overlook Drive going up to the Schenley Oval)


This Sunday we really will start at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead (where Hobart meets Greenfield Rd. at the foot of the Schenley Park Oval) as proposed by Teri, who intriguingly suggested this route "with one detour." Come see this mystery revealed.

Speaking of revelations:  oh, ye of little faith!  Yes, last Sunday at 6:35 a.m. it was pouring rain, but by 6:50 the skies were clearing, and thereafter showed nothing but the "bright intervals" that British weather people optimistically report (I think this is what we call "partly cloudy".  PtB please confirm.)  We were still a robust band of 8 or so, padding over the still glistening trails through Frick and Nine Mile Run all the way to Duck Hollow, to catch a view of fly fisherman casting over the misty river. The streams were full and making rather loud picturesque gurgling and rustling noises, and yet, miraculously, so little mud.  Shout-out to the trail maintenance folks!  As there were only 3 of us at coffee, the only endorsement was the place:  Biddle's Escape, which is cuter than ever with a great outside space - so another run will be planned from there soon.  And mazel tov to Pam and Chris, who recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a 30K run through NYC in 95 degree heat and are still smiling.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

July 28 Run: Meet at Tennis Court parking lot on Braddock Ave., corner of Biddle

Next Sunday we'll meet at the parking lot next to the Tennis Courts on Braddock Ave., corner of Biddle, and try out Virginia and Sandy's midweek Duck Hollow Run - 5 miles there and back.  Also coffee at the adorable Biddle's Escape - don't miss it!

Last Sunday we were given carte blanche to sashay through the fancy cars on display at the Grand Prix event in Schenley Park - we heard that people were kept out later, but we were so charming that we were also offered cold drinks.  The vehicles were adorable - exotic antique little sports cars with cute insignias, painstakingly polished by their loving owners and some still with their custom-made covers on - Cheryl (I think) said they looked like they were just waking up. The owners looked a bit hungover however. Then we traveled up and down the summery park trails until we returned to commandeer the outdoor tables at Commonplace, enveloping one hapless soul who hopefully didn't mind.


At least she got to hear all the endorsements:

 - Megabus - again - Lainy told how she amazed her job interviewers with this sensible preference over the nightmare of modern air travel.  We did hear a few mixed reviews though. 
 - Weight-bearing exercise classes (guess we need those too) at Crossfit Pittsburgh 
 - Yiddish - slightly bad words (schmuck) and untranslatable good ones (machatunim) and the book that tells the story of how Yiddish was rescued by a 24-year-old college student: Outwitting History.  And speaking of books -


 - and finally, Prancercise:  actually sent in earlier last week by Wendy - you simply have to watch this, even for a few minutes - and picture our whole group trying it out together on the trail past Blue Slide Park.  Please let's. Just once.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Change in plans for July 21 Run: now starting at Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill


Thank goodness I was reminded that the Grand Prix is this weekend, so it will be hard to get near Schenley Park, at least with a car.   So we’ll start at Commonplace and head over in that direction anyway to take a look at whatever cool vehicles we can get to.

(Also a correction:  it was Cheryl who got the Groupon and discovered the Japanese toilets – my napkin recording skills need work!)
Roye

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

July 21 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead (beginning of Overlook Drive going up to the Schenley Park Oval)

This Sunday we'll start at the familiar Wendy Bennett Trailhead (where Hobart meets Greenfield Rd. at the foot of the Schenley Park Oval) looking for a cool breeze under the trees.

Last Sunday was anything but cool, and even at 7:15 a.m. the sun was brutal.  But our valiant band headed up Beechwood Blvd. to ultimately traverse the whole Summerset development, which looks a little like a movie set, and you half expect an android or one the Stepford Wives to glide by.  But the view is spectacular and the gardens are lovely - who knew the slag heaps held such promise?   And we got to engage in some spontaneous bushwhacking and minor trespassing, so a very satisfying run in all respects.

Coffee cooled us all off, and inspired many endorsements:

Sunday, July 07, 2013

July 14 Run: Colfax School (Beechwood and Douglas)

Nostalgia made some of us think of Colfax School - a frequent starting point in the olden days.  At one of our 2 runs this week we were musing about how long this thing has been going on - 20 yrs?  Only Lainy knows and she has told us several times but we keep forgetting.   There have been numerous suggestions for a platinum anniversary (I looked it up) celebration - a run down the Champs Elysees, up the Grand Canyon, over the Brooklyn Bridge?  OK, how about under the Allegheny River on the Northshore Connector?

Two runs, two coffees, so much information!  Will skip the run descriptions and cut straight to the chase:

  • Furries!  Yikes - definitely TMI this a.m. on discovering what happens to the hotel rooms.  Wendy got to see the parade (off limits to non-Furries) without wearing a tail by using her blending-in skills (advice in general: "just look like you belong and you can get in anywhere"), and Teri had a conversation with a wolf ("Um, your mouth is moving."  "So is yours.")
  • Carrie gave us some amazing impressions of China, including "don't eat the taro root."
  • Does anyone whistle anymore?
  • Our wardrobes may need to be winnowed but mens' wardrobes ought to be decimated particularly the corroded flip-flops.
  • French women know how to light up a grey suit with orange/red scarves and shoes.  They also drink champagne.
  • Virginia and Sandy have begun a 6 a.m. Tues-Thurs. run in Regent Square - a 5-mile route to Duck Hollow and back - more on where it starts later.  Or just look for Virginia's pink Wendy Davis shoes.
  • Our audiologists told us about Pittsburgh's hearing clinic for musicians.
  • Where should we live when we want to jettison the big old house?  Can we start a cooperative housing project for RG members?  Can we just move into Wendy's house?
  • Psychology Today has a find a therapist service but it's really not very helpful since Judy isn't in it (by choice.)  Also, I don't know about you but I think that room looks kind of creepy.
  • If you ever need a wedding veil, tiara, or button - check out Parker Button/Clarissa Boutique, now in its 4th incarnation on Carson Street.  A lady there named Penny knows everything about them!  It's also adorable.
  • More fabulous buttons, trims, fabrics, and vintage etc. at Loom Exquisite Textiles on the strip.
  • Famous Pittsburgh caterer - All in Good Taste
  • Delightfully refreshing summer/winter syrup from Teri:  mix 2 cut-up lemons, 1/2 cp. chopped fresh ginger, 1/2 cp. honey and let steep for a while.  Then mix several TB with seltzer or hot water.  Store in refrigerator.
  • Finally, for my yoga teacher training I need to practice teaching a class.  Free!  I can't promise enlightenment, but a good stretch and maybe some cookies.  If anyone's interested, email roye.werner@gmail.com and we'll figure out a time.


Wednesday, July 03, 2013

July 7 Run: Blue Slide Park (Beechwood and Nicholson) for a Frick Park run

Don't forget the standard holiday run on July 4 - 7:30 at Commonplace (thanks for the reminder, Virginia!)

On Sunday we'll start at Blue Slide Park - which still amazes as the star of the hit song by Burgh native rapper Mac Miller (I know I've said this before but it is so crazy it bears repeating - and do take a look at this video to see young Malcolm demonstrating the cardboard slide technique.)

Last Sunday we discovered a number of things on the Strip route as promised - first of all, we stopped to check out another running group setup we passed on our way - festooned with flags, tents, snacks, maps, the whole shebang - Fleet Feet Flyers (appears to be based at a running shoe chainstore) - surely this is way too much coddling.  We are the real item.  Then - the 31st St. Bridge is back!  We headed over to do a circuit through Herr's Island and back to La Prima in time for fresh meles once more.  Artists and art careers were discussed and relatedly? a brilliant fresh bouquet of flowers was rescued from the street by Wendy.
Endorsed: