June 2 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for Runner's Choice Run

We have a default run location for this Sunday because I don't remember anything else being chosen. We will hope for drier weather...

Last Sunday we had a gorgeous clear morning for a run, making for some great views across the river.  It was a Strip District run that crossed over to the trail and over through Herr's Island.  Keeping it short this week, but will share some great photos below.  This run included only minimal trespassing through a construction site; we did not attempt to bushwhack our way through the truly dangerous closed trail pictured on the right!

May 26 Run: Meet at the Strip parking lot off of Liberty at 21st St.

This Sunday is a Strip run, and afterwards for those who can stay, we'll go to brunch at DeLuca's to celebrate Aimee's 40th birthday!

Last week the forest bathing in the springy green festival of Frick Park was glorious.  As were the baked goods at the EveryDay Cafe, where the coffee can also speak.  Endorsements:

• Events at the EveryDay Cafe
• A beautiful tree with hanging flowers (Yellowwood - thanks, Joanne), 
• Some tiny blue wildflowers (bluets)
• Quantum's King Lear production at the Carrie Furnace - a dynamite pairing - see it if you can, only rush tickets available though.
• Alternatives to knee surgery, discussed with 2 of the RG's resident physicians - with varying degrees of recommendation from NO to could be good - stem cell injections, steroids, synovial fluid, spironolactone, ultrasound, or rooster comb (?)
• "It's comforting that we all have osteoarthritis."
• Nanette  - Hannah Gadsby, Australia comic
• UShake running pack for those of us who are ready to recycle our 1980's fanny packs

May 19 Run: Meet at the entrance to Frick Park at Reynolds and S. Homewood Ave.

We're meeting at Reynolds and S. Homewood at the entrance to Frick Park, and have our own Green New Deal as it is at it's lushest right now.  There may be mud, but we'll be looking up.  Maybe we'll rediscover the owl nest and the fox den, if anyone can remember where they are.   Coffee: let's try Everyday Cafe again.

Last week we tragically missed our first Zumba opportunity, but Wendy promises another one soon.  It must be admitted that the rain was simply pouring.  However, a surprisingly good showing of intrepid runners and walkers paid no mind, and soaking wet, we later dripped all over the floor of the Tazza D'Oro. Never did a cappuccino taste so good.  So much to talk about (includes last week):

• Nature!  There is a Mushroom Club in Pittsburgh - Birding can be transcendental but evidently some people are overdoing it - Hurray for fly-fishing c/o Beth and her Stream Girls - plus the wildflowers in Boyce Mayview Park.
• Eden Hall is very cool and will soon host the Funky Fly Project and an Earth Wind & Fire night.
• Music - The Pittsburgh Girls' Choir sings about Anne Frank at Rodef Shalom on June 14 - recommended!  Also, Resonance Works has amazing performances but it looks like we've missed the whole season, so I'm signing up for updates.  
• TV:  Game of Thrones!  I know, I know, it's overhyped and super-violent.  But what a show.  Also This is Us (location: Pittsburgh), The Good Fight (helps deal with the current national emergency), and Three Identical Strangers, fascinating documentary about triplets separated at birth.
• Books:  SO MANY free audiobooks from the Carnegie Library - it's worth getting a quick free tutorial from one of their librarians to save the time in figuring out how to use them.
• Hair - recommended stylists: Mary at Classic Hair, Beth at Evolve, Marianne at Denim and Co., Griff at Capristo.  
• Birthdays, notable ones:  Laurie will be celebrated on July 20 with a dance party - save the date - and we'll toast Aimee on May 26 with a Strip run and then head to Deluca's for b'day brunch.  
• Eyeglasses - good ones at Lenscrafters that don't cost a fortune.  Also, Transition sunglasses don't work inside cars - good to know!
• Summer Line Dancing starts May 17.

May 12 Run: Meet at entrance to Highland Park at top of Highland Ave. for a surprise event!

By special request of group members, we have a treat this week courtesy of our Zumba Instructor Extraordinaire, Wendy!  At the garden entrance to Highland Park (location of the famous summer line dancing,) Wendy will teach an authentic, aerobic, and super fun Zumba class - here's a preview!  Then if there's time left over, we can finish with a lovely dawn run around the reservoir.  And then drop down to the Tazza D'Oro for coffee.  What could be better?

There are many things to say about last week, which was fun! but there's no time right now, so we'll keep the endorsements on the burner until next message.  Except that Axe-throwing in the Burgh is a thing.

May 5 Run: Start at Everyday Cafe on S. Homewood Ave. for a Frick Park run

Though it has been our tradition to pre-run some of the Marathon route before the race gets to Shadyside, we're going to change it up this time, and start and end at the Everyday Cafe on 532 N. Homewood as a new way to get to Frick Park, where we will do some springtime forest bathing.  To everyone running in the Marathon, may the force be with you!


Last week we broke new ground over Hazelwood and tried out the new trail, which has a cool post-industrial/nature-preserve vibe. Our new friend Kevin introduced us to the soon-to-be CMU Robotics center, probable home to something equivalent to the dreaded wights swarming through the latest GOT episode (more expounding on that for sure this Sunday.)


The Big Dog just gets better and better, so we lingered there and endorsed:

• Genetics: the mystery of x&y
• the new Jeopardy genius with a rubbery face
• Replacements - when you need to add to your grandmother's china set.  
• Maybe:  the Health App that is a standard feature on iPhones and which keeps tabs on many things you may actually not want it to
• The annual Marathon Health & Fitness Expo this weekend at the convention center, which I have always missed but not this time.
• The Slowskys commercials
• A wallpaper steamer because it will change your life, and fly fishing because you don't have to kill a worm.
• The Pittsburgh Center for Creative REuse - crazy, unique stuff, and doing its part to save the world.
• Teddy Grahams - apparently still exist!