Nov 16 Run: Tennis Courts on Braddock Ave

Virginia will lead a run starting at the tennis courts on Braddock Ave this coming Sunday. I imagine people may also be up for a run to the run? I won't be here but I suggest starting at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill around 6:25 AM. It is about 1.5 miles to the tennis courts.

The group continued the streak of record book runs this morning with 17 people showing up for a fall run/hike through obscure but lovely corners of Frick Park. Even under a gray ski with many bare trees there were enough splashes of color to evoke the beauty of this fleeting season. As if that were not enough, we ran on some lesser known streets in Squirrel Hill and all took a turn on the fast slide at the new Colfax playground - even Tom! We ended up in Pam and Chris's cozy kitchen for coffee, cake, cheese, fruit and of course stimulating conversation. If lives permitted, I think we might have stayed there all day!

Watch from some upcoming themed runs....

Nov 8 Run: Pam Murray's House - 2200 Beechwood Blvd

Pam Murray graciously offered to lead a run through Frick Park while we still have morning light and perhaps some fall color. In addition she has offered to host after-run coffee - what a deal! Pam lives at 2200 Beechwood Blvd - close to where Darlington comes into Beechwood, not far from Colfax School. She lives on the "up-side" of the street.

I was glad that we had a big group to re-visit the Strip/River run a few of us did a while ago because it certainly is one of the classics. It showcases so many of Pittsburgh's appealing features: interesting new housing (the Cork Factory), emerging and established tree-lined river paths, the serene river itself, the bridges and skyline, hidden water features (the Convention center) and ending with wonderful coffee and pastries at a Pittsburgh institution complete with men with Italian accents.All of this on a cool Fall morning - what could be better?!

Nov 2: Run through the Strip - 21st and Liberty

I heard from two people that it was decided to do a run through the strip. I assume we will meet at the parking lot at 21st and Liberty Ave. The lot is on the side of Liberty away from the river - turn left at the light at 21st st, if you are going into town. Last time we ran through the strip, across the 31st st bridge, along the path to the 9th st bridge and then back, which was a nice flat run.

La Prima opens at 8AM on Sunday so we might want to make our run a little longer :-) For those who did not run last time, the pastries and coffee were scrumptious.

Paula Clemens sent this note:

PS. Last Sunday's run was great. The run-to-the-run through a now greatly expanded Somerset development was well attended. We saw the day dawn over the river by the Waterfront and out-paced a barge.

Oct 26 Run: Waterfront Run - flat and fabulous

Elaine Mormer is back! and she is leading a run on the Waterfront Trail this coming Sunday. Meet at the smokestacks by the Longhorn Steakhouse.Tom promises that he will drive down and so he can ferry at least some people back.

Elaine is also leading the run to the run: meet at the "J" corner (Phillips and Shady) at 6:25 AM. Google maps says it is 3.2 miles - I figure it will be shorter as you can cut through Somerset.

Today Karen lead us on another Fall Spectacular run through Frick Park. At one point we ran through a tunnel of gold leaves - truly a run for the season especially given the chilly clear air.

I won't be here next week so someone please let me know where the next run will be.

Oct 19 run: Homewood Ave entrance to Frick Park - Fall Colors II

Continuing to enjoy the Fall colors in our own backyard, meet at the the Homewood Ave entrance to Frick Park (at the traffic circle) for a run through another of our beautiful neighborhood parks.

The Steve Faloon Trail provided a stunning view of the golden tree canopy in Schenley Park this morning. I felt like we were running in an Ansel Adams photograph seeing the various layers of trees and colors all around us. The temperature was perfect - cool but not cold and the sun was coming up - a great seasonal run.

Oct 13 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead - Fall colors

Meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead (corner of the Blvd and Bartlet St) for what could be a run through the fall colors.

I was not around this weekend but I am sure that the run on Sunday was a good one!

Designer Days Primer from Wendy Bennett

Now
Take a look through your closet and assess your needs. Figure out your
size. While you're at it, bag all the stuff you haven't worn in a year,
stuff that doesn't fit. Be brutal. Donate to a thrift store.

Before you go
Wear comfortable clothing w/o snaps and buttons for easy removal. Wear
underwear w/o holes. Eat something and grab a bottle of water. Pee.
Leave kids at home. Leave purse at home or locked in trunk of car.
Bring credit card.

You're there
Parking is easy. You should leave your coat, scarf, etc in car--you'll
need your hands free.
There are men's, women's and children's clothing categorized by type
(pantsuits, casual, overcoats, etc) plus shoes and accessories. Figure
out what you need the most and start looking.

Looking
Don't pull out every item. Better to let your eyes or fingertips scan
the fabric and pull out the most appealing colors and textures. If it
looks good, inspect quickly for stains and holes. Only get items in good
condition or capable of an easy repair. One of the great things about
Designer Days is that these are the creme-de-la-creme of the thriftstore
clothes so they are generally in great condition.

Trying on
Take your haul into the communal curtained room with horrible mirrors.
If you can, stand near someone your own size so you can inspect her
rejects. I've gotten some great stuff this way! Put all of your stuff on
a chair, and go for it. It is considered perfectly good manners to ask a
complete stranger how something looks. People from all over the city
have been coming to Designer Days for years and like me, look forward to
it. There are racks on casters for you to hang your own rejects. You can
buddy up with a friend or ask a guard in the dressing area to keep an
eye on your stuff while you go out and look for more great items.
Good luck!

Sep 28 Run: Pam's House or Coffee Tree (or both)

Next week is the Great Race and as is the tradition, Pam Murray graciously is hosting a pre-race gathering at her house at 2200 Beechwood - about 1/2 between the start line and Colfax school on the big bend. Arrive any time after 8 or 8:30 AM.

For those not running the Great Race meet at the Coffee Tree - perhaps we can snoop around the Great Race course and drop by Pam's house.

Tom lead us on a pleasant loop starting from his house. It was a coolish, dry and sunny, perfect for a run through Oakland and Schenley Park. But the highlight of the run was definitely the blueberry muffins made by Tom that were waiting for us at his house. They were a real surprise and treat!

Maps of The Runs

I created this post on 9/21/2008 and will continue to add to it:

Virginia's Oakland Run: http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=468123712048364023

Hot Metal Bridge to Smithfield Street Bridge and back:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=363220385916

Joanne's Highland Park Run:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/pa/pittsburgh/441183776903

Wendy Bennett Run:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/pa/pittsburgh/412035776

Tom's Run from 9/20/2008:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/pa/pittsburgh/686738997741

Lovely Strip Run 11/2/2008:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/pa/pittsburgh/534880489113

Paula's run through Oakland 5/16/2009:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=201124256961771848

Hot Metal Bridge, along the bike path by UPMC Sports Med:

To view 06/07/2009 Route, follow the link below:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=802124438715013275

Paula Leslie writes:
I had to guess where we turned round. I didn't look at my watch! I've tried to work backwards. I'll have to explain the googlemap problem sometime. PtB

Sep 21 Run: Tom's House

Tom valiantly volunteered to lead the run starting from his house on Aylesboro near the intersection of Forbes (the rest of us were to drippy with heat to come up with a good suggestion).

It was a hot and steamy run through Schenley Park this morning but there were also some good points: it was not rainy, there were quite a few runners, the water fountain near the visitors center was working (the button was noted) and as always the conversation was interesting when we stopped panting.

Sep 14 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

Excellent reports from the two Paula's below. Note that the Wendy Bennett Trailhead is at the junction of Barlett and the Blvd of the Allies. Meet at the Coffee Tree at 6:45 AM to run to there (it is 1 mile). From Paula "the brain": We decided on a Wendy Bennett Trailhead run for next Sunday. The run in Highland Park was really nice. It was very peaceful through Highland Park and around the reservoir. We all enjoyed the lower levels of humidity for a change. Virginia educated us on the artist responsible for the water fountain with stylized dolphins.

From Paula "the Brit' (who is also a brain): Anne Jane - this is the route from last Sunday. And a jolly beautiful run it was too - particularly for Iain and I who'd never been to Highland Park. All mist and early morning sunshine. Then a very fine cup of coffee. Thanks again Joanne. PtB http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/pa/pittsburgh/441183776903

Sep 7 Run: Tazza D'Oro Highland Park

Thanks Joanne - we will take you up on that offer!
All meet at Tazza D'Oro Coffee Shop near the corner of Highland Ave and Bryant St. for an always interesting Highland Park run.

I will be at the Shaw Festival on Sunday but for those who want to run to the run, there is a note in the blog that says it takes 25 mins to run from Wilkins and Shady to Tazza D'Oro so meet at 6:30 - 6:35.

Paula The Brit's Brownie recipe and more!

For those of you that made it to Paula's house for her amazing after-run cake-fest (and for those of you who just love chocolate) here is a link to those brownies and even more.

thanks Paula!

I put the recipe on my family's recipe site. Started by my brother Damian. There might be other recipes on this site of interest to people. The "authors" (ha ha) are just normal people. Anyone can read the site and if someone wanted to join up I can get Damian to sort it. Sometimes we invent new recipes and sometimes just post stuff from a book.

P

http://www.foodster.net/2008/08/brit-abroad---c.html

Aug 31(at 7AM) and Labor Day (at 7:30 AM) runs: Coffee Tree

Because so many people will be out of town and those that will be here may be sleeping in, we decided that the Coffee Tree was the best option for this coming Sunday.

Labor Day there will also be a Coffee Tree run but because it is a holiday, after all, we will meet at 7:30 AM so everyone can sleep in for a 1/2 hour.

Runs will be created on the spot by whoever turns up.

Today's run in Allegheny Cemetery was as interesting as promised although so many of us ran to the ran that we short-changed everyone else by inadvertently keeping the run on the shorter side. Still we did see parts of this very large and verdant cemetery that we had not visited before. As always there was wild-life - a herd of deer and a flock of Canada Geese. We re-visited the big Jesus like statue holding the duck of peace and ran by the field of obelisks overlooked by a saint-like woman with a scythe - honestly, this cemetery has it all! I have it add it also has hills - plenty of them and steep. Perhaps next time we can forgo the run to the run and do a longer piece in the cemetery, there is so much to explore.

Aug 24 Run: Allegheny Cemetery - Penn Ave entrance

Meet at the Penn Ave entrance of Allegheny Cemetery for a discovery run (that means we still don't really know where we are going) in this park-like historic cemetery. This entrance is just a few steps toward E. Liberty from the massive new Children's' Hospital.
For those who want to run to the run, meet at Wilkins and Shady at 6:30 AM (it is about 2.5 miles from there).

Today Roye did a formal repeat of the run to the "top of Pittsburgh" aka Robert E Williams Park. I wrote this the first time Roye took Wendy and I up there: "I do not have enough fresh adjectives to describe this view from the top of Pittsburgh - it is absolutely spectacular." And today was no exception - cool and a little misty, Pittsburgh looks its best spread out all around the rivers and green trees.

Paula TB kindly mapped this run. Check it out on MapMyRun

On our way up there, Jonathan spied what must be the only tomato plant on the grounds of the Cathedral of Learning (see if YOU can find it). On our way back we had to take a detour to avoid a very, large stray dog that Tom was sure he still saw when we were back on the ground at Phipps.

Aug17 Run: Phipps

Not sure who is leading but be at Phipps at 7 AM next Sunday and find out :-)

I did not run with the group this past Sunday as I was recovering from an evil stomach bug but I did join them for coffee. Everyone looked happy and sweaty so I am sure it was a good one. It was a chilly but pleasant morning to drink coffee and ponder why the Olympic beach volley ball outfits are so skimpy.

Aug 10 Run: Frick park gate on Reynolds near Frick Art Museum

The run this coming Sunday will start at the entrance to Frick Park at the intersection of Reynolds and South Homewood.

Paula C. had this to report about Sunday's run:
Very nice run this morning with multiple staircases and some interesting 'garden homes' along paths in Oakland. Equal gender representation...

Paula also asked that I pass the following along:

Hi Anne Jane,

My neighbor alerted me to the following Squirrel Hill community meeting that will take place Monday, August 4th at 7pm at the JCC. She is encouraging neighborhood residents to go because she fears that only the nay-sayers will show up, and she thinks that it is a worthwhile proposal with more positives than negatives for the Squirrel Hill business district.

August 4, 2008 (TONIGHT)
Murray/Forward Development Community Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Levinson Hall
Jewish Community Center
5738 Forbes Avenue
SHUC is sponsoring a community informational meeting regarding the recently announced multi-use development project at the corner of Murray and Forward Avenues.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting so they can hear from the developers and their architect what is being proposed.

There will be a Q&A session following the meeting.

Then, because of my true calling as a data collector, and at the behest of my husband, I am compelled to report that the men outnumbered the women at the Friday morning run yesterday, 3:2. A quote from a recent running group participant who has been known to reproducibly call in drenching rainstorms for previously reliably dry running group runs: '…the husbands are taking over!' Ladies??

Paula

Aug 3 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

Join us this coming Sunday for Pam Murray's mystery run. Meet at the entrance to the lower Schenley oval trail at the corner of Bartlett and the Blvd of the Allies (otw know as the Wendy Bennett Trailhead).

We had a low key run this past Sunday but it was not without its highlights - one of which was a stroll through the community gardens on Forbes. They are full of delights both of the vegetable and flowering kind. Then on through the cemetery, always a serene place to run and of course finishing at theW Coffee Tree for coffee and conversation.

Jul 27 Run: NO: Hot Metal Bridge -> YES: Coffee Tree

It appears no-one is driving down to the Hot Metal Bridge - I think vacation season has hit. So rather than running down to Hot Metal and back we will just start at Coffee Tree and take pot luck.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We were having such a fun time at Paula's that we forgot to choose a run for this coming week so Wendy and I had a confab and chose a run on the trail beside the Mon going toward Sandcastle. Meet at the parking lot just beside the Hot Metal Bridge which you can reach by just going straight at the light at Bates and making a left.

Are people interested in a run to the run? It is light enough that we could run through Schenley, if someone knew the way. Meet at 6:30 at the Coffee Tree.

It gets tiresome describing every run as absolutely stupendous but this Sunday's REALLY was. Paula TB navigated us through the Grand Prix barriers to the Wendy Bennett trail where not too far in we took a steep path, marked handily by Paula, down, down, down to Panther Hollow. Just before we emerged from the forest we found a patch of ripe wine berries which we gobbled greedily. Then it was into "the Run", as one of the residents called this area of lower Greenfield, past quaint houses and churches. There was even a mailbox in the shape of a trout. We stopped to admire that big church with the onion domes you can see from the Parkway then tackled the steps just next to it. This is a very long flight of Pittsburgh steps with several missing risers - quite tricky. About mid-way a drenching rainstorm moved in. Pam, Sharon and I stayed under cover but Paula and Roye enjoyed the cooling wet at the top. We continued on through some quaint streets in Greenfield (I am often feel I have landed in some other city on these runs), up Beechwood, to Pocusset where we found yet another secret trail which brought us out right at the loop in Schenley where many of the Vintage cars were parked. We spent quite a few minutes ogling the cars and watching them take off for their time trials. If this was not enough, we ended our run with scrumptious cakes and coffee at Paula's lovely new house. The walkers joined us for a memorable Sunday - the Coffee Tree just won't be the same! Thanks Paula!

Jul 19 Run: Hobart and Leath for a Vintage Grand Prix Run

Paula TB has carefully plotted a route through Schenley park that ends at the car loop plus she is offering "coffee and cake" at her new house to all runners - what a deal! Meet at the corner of Hobart and Leath.

Pam Murray has been busily thinking up runs to spice up our repetoire and this past Sunday's was a great example of that work. We started at TRRA and ran the river front trail toward Millvale, catching glimpses single sculls on the serene river as we ran. After a sharp but short uphill we arrived at St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church where we stopped for an all too short look at the murals: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08196/896877-51.stm We continued through Millvale proper where we took in some of the local sites (Mr Smalls http://www.mrsmalls.com/, Jean Marc Chatellier's Baker http://www.jeanmarcchatellier.com/ and the new Pamela's Diner). Although many of us were "knackered" due to the heat and humidity we agreed it was a special run and made plans for a run that would start (and end at) the diner!

Jul 13 Run: TRRA on Washington's Landing

See below from Pam Murray - this should be a cool run - plus I can give you a primer on rowing as we will pass both boat houses :-):

We discussed the option of a run for next Sunday beginning at Washington's Landing (rowing club parking lot) and running to Millvale. It is 1.7 mi each way according to google maps - sounds like a perfect distance - I am willing to lead. Pjm

Jul 6 Run Mellon Playground, Jul 4 Holiday Run Coffee Tree

Hi All
Virginia will lead a run through Shadyside next Sunday. Meet at the playground on 5th and Beechwood (the one with the swings etc - not Mellon Park up on the hill). I will not be there so can someone please send me the location of the July 13 run?

Friday being a holiday there will be an informal run starting at the Coffee Tree at 7 AM.

Due to latecomers (me being one of them) there were two group runs this Sunday. Tom lead one of his signature themed runs through Oakland - this one focused on fun Sports related facts (like where the Hornets/Penguins first played in Pittsburgh). I was not on this one but I am sure it was full of interesting and surprising facts and will have to be repeated for those of us who missed it.

I lead Wendy astray and we arrived just as Roye drove up to Phipps. The regular group had left already (although I don't think we were THAT late) so we devised our own run. We started with a stop at the best open bathroom in Oakland and then at Roye's suggestion began a climb up through Schenley Heights. Our goal was Robert E. Williams park which coincidentally is mentioned in a PG article this morning about alternate firework viewing places. I do not have enough fresh adjectives to describe this view from the top of Pittsburgh - it is absolutely spectacular. While taking in the 360 views of our city we devised a plan to raise money to endow a perpetual table at the Coffee Tree, followed by an art project to put up maps at the park to help identify landmarks similar to those found at the Samaritaine Department Store in Paris (thanks to Ann the walker for the name). In fact we were so giddy from the heights (or perhaps lack of coffee) that we dubbed this the Almost Paris in Pittsburgh run and will certainly put this on the roster of future runs.

We did arrive at the Coffee Tree to meet the tail end of the regular running group and then were joined by the walkers so got our Sunday conversation fix.

Jun 29 Run: Tom's House

After several Sundays of running Tomless, he not only re-appeared but volunteered to lead the run next week. Meet at his house on Ayelsboro for what I am sure will be an entertaining and planned run (no choices will need to be made).

We celebrated the second day of Summer by running through picturesque Chatham University, down the secret steps to Shadyside and the back upppppppp Beechwood, with the big hooties - which Wendy told us was an all purpose word for things whose name your forget. This prompted a story from Tom which ended with "a hoochie Mama, your Honor." Paula and Johnathon reported on what sounded like the idyllic week at the beach where enough runners/walkers were present to meet every day for exercise and coffee - a running group intensive! We had our own leisurely coffee gathering with conversation topics ranging from the trials of raising young adults, new babies (one time runner, Sarah stopped by asking if anyone had used maternity clothes - congratulations!), bread making classes at Enrico's, Block Island as the best place to go for a vacation, and the inspirational story of a young woman quadriplegic sailing around the UK: http://www.hilarylister.com/

Jun 22 Run: Coffee Tree in Squill

Choosing to alternate "exotic" runs with more prosaic ones, we decided to meet at the Coffee Tree this coming Sunday for a run through the cemetery or Chatham - the group can decide.

It seemed cool and misty starting out on Sunday but was deceptively hot and humid as we ran. Still we easily found the Shrine perched overlooking the parkway. It looks like it is still maintained amazingly enough. It is a uniquely Pittsburgh site, tucked back beyond the houses. We joined Teri, Laura and Chip for a post-run coffee chat

Jun 15 Run: Coffee Tree for a run to the Parkway Shrine

It was decided it was time for a run to the "Parkway Shrine": http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/9433 , so meet at the Coffee Tree and enjoy visiting a unique Pittsburgh site. The run will be about 5 miles long (for people who like to know these things).


Six of us braved the heat and followed Karen on a run through Frick Park - a cool choice in all ways. I saw parts of Frick park that were unfamiliar to me although not to other more seasoned park runners. We also had a chance to visit with several new canine members of runners' households. In lower Frick we met Carl and Hannah Mormer with their sweet new puppy and Janet Katov's dogs (one who is also a very cute puppy) greeted us at the end of the run. Despite several people heading straight home, we managed to monopolize the outside of the Coffee Tree joined by long-distance runners (Chip and Terri) and walkers (Elaine, Ann and PTB). We gave into the summer vacation ambiance and had a long, leisurely visit.

Jun 8 Run: Frick Park - corner of Reynolds and Homewood

All
Next week Karen will lead a run starting at the entrance to Frick Park at the corner of Reynolds and Homewood Ave.

It was yet another glorious morning for a run - sunny and clear, the weather perched on the boarder between Spring and Summer. We rediscovered what an interesting route the Strip loop was and vowed to revisit it again at least once this summer. We tacked on a bit to and went all the way to the 9th street bridge (once again undermining the discipline of the run but at least establishing the route for the future). This also provided the unexpected opportunity to run down and back the little path underneath the Convention Center. The run was made all the sweeter by coffee and rich pastries enjoyed at one of La Prima's sidewalk tables.
It was a small group and we all felt bad that we had not responded to the requests for rides - next time we will not assume others responded.

Jun 1 Run: Parking lot at 21rst and Liberty in the Strip

All
Next week we are going to try a loop that Roye Werner suggested. Meet at the Liberty Commons parking lot at 21rst and Liberty in the strip (if you are going toward town it is on your left). From the parking lot we will run away from town to the 31rst st bridge then cross the bridge to Washington's landing and pick up the running/biking trail along the river to the 16th st bridge. We will cross that bridge and return to 21rst St where hopefully La Prima Expresso will be open. According to mapmyrun.com this is a 3.2 mile run so we have some cushion for exploring.

We had two gorgeous mornings for runs this weekend and we took advantage of them by running through Frick Park and Homewood Cemetery. Despite Tom's dire warnings Sunday was sort of a make your own run (an anarchist run) but discipline was reinstated by a planned run through the cemetery today ;-) On Sunday a group of us spent an unusually long time chatting at the Coffee Tree in celebration of the luxurious three-day weekend.

May 25 and Memorial Day Runs: Coffee Tree

The group that ran this past Sunday (see Paula's fine report below) are not going to be in town this weekend so they chose the default start location, the Coffee Tree. If someone has another suggestion, please let me know. I will here this weekend so at least one person will be happy to show up.

Monday, being a holiday, means there will also be a run starting at the Coffee Tree at 7AM.

From Paula:
Rain for the run again this am--Jonathan thinks that all of the rain during scheduled rain-free runs is because of him... Only 5 of us, all run-to-the-runners. We came back through Schenley park. It did not rain all that hard, nor all the time, so it was still nice. At one point, Wendy commented that 'it feels like we are are only people out in Pittsburgh.' We did see a couple of intrepid Pedal Pittsburghers around hot metal bridge, though.
After coming home from a week in the desert, my word for the week is: verdant (although I never knew the last meaning!)

ver·dant –adjective
1. green with vegetation; covered with growing plants or grass: a verdant oasis.
2. of the color green: a verdant lawn.
3. inexperienced; unsophisticated: verdant college freshmen.

May 18 Run: Hot Metal Bridge

This coming Sunday, meet in the parking lot next to the Second Avenue end of the Hot Metal Bridge to do another South Side run. It's also the day of Pedal Pittsburgh, so there's sure to be a lot of activity there in the morning. It will be very festive.
I think that I will be missing this one as well so please send me a report.

Below is Paula's great description of yesterday's run:Four of us had a very nice run in Homewood Cemetary as the Race for the Cure alternate. We had some discussion of alternate ideas for next week's run, but did not know whether the running group bylaws would allow a planned run location to be amended. Anyway, even if allowed, we decided that it would be too confusing for sieve-like brains! We will save our ideas for another week.

One of our discussions this morning was about how many interesting community events are scheduled at this time of year. Here are a couple that we talked about this morming, all taking place next Saturday!
1. May Market put on by the Phipps Garden Center on Shady Ave. This is a fair in which area garden clubs put on displays. Good chance to see interesting plants. Also, don't miss the mushroom sandwiches! 5/17 10am-7pm (I think; also has times on Friday and Sunday).
2. Church of the Ascension Big Sale: A Spring Market Festival held at Church of the Ascension in Oakland at corner of Ellsworth and Neville on 5/17 9am-2pm. This will include a large rummage sale, plant sale, beverages, cotton candy, popcorn and baked goods. All proceeds will be contributed toward a mission project to rehab homes in Pittsburgh's East End to provide housing for those who need it. At the festival, there will also be free balloons for the kids, a bouncy gym, face painting, a three legged race, sidewalk chalk and a water balloon toss. There will be live bands throughout the day.
3. Shakespeare Open Monologue Night, a fundraiser for Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Park: will be a series of monologue performances 5/17 4-6pm at Make Your Mark Cafe in Point Breeze (next door to Pino's restaurant).
4. Oakland Girls Choir Spring Concert: Voices of Peace featuring three trilogies: Srul Irving Glick's Psalm Trilogy, Eleanor Daley's Rose Trilogy and Paul Halley's Freedom Trilogy. There will also be selections from the French film 'Les Choristes', Stabat Mater by Pergolesi and more. It should be a fabulous concert. It takes place Saturday 5/17 at 7:30pm at Church of the Ascension, Ellsworth and Neville, and again Sunday 5/18 at 4pm at Trinity Cathedral downtown. Tickets (available at the door) are $10 for adults, $5 for students, $25 family cap. The girls choir will culminate the 2007/08 season with a twelve-day concert tour in The Netherlands, Germany and Austria.

5. And I am adding one: The Pittsburgh Folk Festival is this coming weekend - a break from its usual Memorial Day slot. http://www.pghfolkfest.org/

May 11 Run; Coffee Tree if not doing Race for the Cure

Next week, there will be a run at 7 at the Coffee Tree for anyone not running the Race for the Cure.

The running group had a nice run in chilly temperatures through Frick Park this morning. Thanks to all the extensions to the lower Frick trails by Nine Mile Run we were able to stay almost exclusively on flat trails in the park for most of the run.

Next week, there will be a run at 7 at the Coffee Tree for anyone not running the Race for the Cure.
Then on May 18, we're meeting in the parking lot next to the Second Avenue end of the Hot Metal Bridge to do another South Side run. It's also the day of Pedal Pittsburgh, so there's sure to be a lot of activity there in the morning. It will be very festive. (I will send out email next week again)

Thanks to Virginia for reporting in my absence!

May 4 Run: Tennis Courts on Braddock Ave

Virginia will lead the run through lovely Edgewood the first Sunday in May. Meet at the Tennis Courts on Braddock Ave.

It was truly a beautiful Spring morning for our run through Schenley Park - just a little cool but sunny and so green. We disobeyed one of Elaine's rules of the run (Respect the run) by diverting the regular WBTH route to examine the George Westinghouse memorial and returned to Squirrel Hill via Forbes Ave so we could quickly get to the Coffee Tree. That memorial is full of surprises such as turtles and some detail on the backside. It was well worth the stop. Superwoman Roye, left mid-run to return to the WBTH to change a flat tire on her car that had developed on the drive over, drove home and then rode her bike back to join us for an interesting discussion on Yoga!

I will be out of town for at least the next two Sundays and possibly three :-( so someone can either post in my absence or send me the information.

Apr 27 Run: WB Trailhead

Wendy Bennett is truly back and we will celebrate by starting next Sunday's (4/27) at the Wendy Bennett trailhead ( the junction of Barlett and the Blvd of the Allies).

Here is Wendy's report of Sunday's run:
Tom, Karen, Sharon and I braved a steady downpour yesterday as we toured CMU and Schenley park.We were soaked but in need of caffeine, so Kar and I headed to the Coffee Tree, where we were joined by superwomen power walkers Laney M. and Ann. Tom still claims that it never rains on the runs--the M/W ones, that is.

I feel like I have been gone for ages and am looking forward to joining the group this Sunday.

April 20 Run: Tom's House

Thanks to Paula for taking over while I was out of town (it was snowing up in the Laurel Highlands!):

We had a very nice run through Frick Park this morning. The run started out with a very light misting rain that cleared. It is so nice to see the park greening up for spring.

Next week's run will start at Tom's house: 5343 Aylesboro. A run taking in the CMU carnival in promised.

I am sorry I will be missing this one too!

Apr 13 Run: Entrance to Frick Park, Corner of Homewood and Reynolds

Karen Engro will lead the run this coming Sunday. It will start at the entrance to Frick Park at the corner of Homewood and Reynolds.

A bumper crop of runners turned up for a run that was truly a harbinger of spring - it was light before 7, the daffodils were blooming and not everyone had on their winter jackets. We ran past many notable east end houses, from Annie Dillard to Freddie Fu and those of some of the group members. It was meant to be a run with only a few hills but somehow we ended running up and up and up as we tacked on just a few more tourist sites. Still everyone weathered the change with good humor - even Tom ;-)

Apr 6 Run: Linden School

Everyone took off this morning before we decided on next week's run since I will be gone for quite a few of the upcoming weeks I volunteer to lead another East End Run. Meet at Linden School at the usual time, 7 AM.

The warming weather brought out a few more runners this week and we are ever hopeful for even greater numbers as the mornings get lighter. Today Chip lead us on what turned out to be the Wendy Bennett Trail (he called it the upper Schenley loop). It looks a little dowdy this time of year but without the summer canopy of leaves you can see the bones of the surrounding hills and a few glimpses of spring greenery emerging. People had things to do but a few of us enjoyed "the best part of the run" chatting at the Coffee Tree.

I got some good recommendations for Tree Trimmers which I will include in the "The EE Runners Recommendation List" which can be found on the right-hand list on the Blog or at http://eastendrunners.blogspot.com/2007/05/ee-runners-recommendation-list.html

Mar 23 Run: Coffee Tree Redux

Only two people turned up for last Sunday's run and since neither of them will be here this coming Sunday, they chose the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill again. Hopefully the weather will be more spring-like and people will feel like getting out for a run.

Mar 23 Run: Coffee Tree

Because some of our group will be celebrating Easter or taking advantage of the holiday and traveling, we thought a run from the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill would be the easiest. Meet there at 7:00 - those who turn up can determine the route.

Today was one from the Tom's Classic Run Series. Even though Tom was making the route up as we traversed Oakland, he still managed to fit in quite a few informational gems such as: where the Luna Bar got it's name (there used to be an amusement park on that site from which a tiger once escaped); a short discourse on Schenley Farms with contributions from the group; that extra palms from the Catholic celebration of Palm Sunday are burned to make ashes for Ash Wednesday (my husband also knew this tidbit of Catholic lore); the is the first year since 1940something that St.Patrick's day fell in Easter week; and where to find the home plate from Forbes Field (ask Tom). Although it was dark when we started, Oakland sparkled as we crossed the Panther Hollow Bridge and at the end we all were glad we spent 50 minutes learning a little bit more about our lovely city.

One question asked on the run but not answered was how is the date for Easter calculated. My husband,Dave, provided the answer: it falls on the first Sunday, after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox is this Thursday and the full moon falls on Friday.

Here is an article that relates to the very topical Coffee Tree discussion: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/nyregion/16towns.html

For those interested in summer rowing possibilities check out the TRRA webpage: http://www.threeriversrowing.org/

Mar 16 Run: Anderson Playground

I got this email about next weeks run written in Tom's inimitable style:

Anne Jane, When I arrived at the coffee tree at 7a.m. I was the only one there for the run. I have been unable to agree with myself about next week's run. However, I would be willing to lead one. Meet at Anderson playground in Schenley Park. I would have said Phipps but I think CMU will be having practice runs of their little cars. Let Me know. Tom

We would be foolish not to take Tom up on his offer :-)

Mar 9 Run: Coffee Tree, Squirrel Hill - TURN CLOCKS FORWARD

Next week the run will start at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill so that people do not have to think too hard after missing that extra hour of sleep the night before. Daylight Savings begins at 2 AM on Sunday, March 9 - remember to turn your clocks forward before going to bed.

Joanne did indeed turn up to lead us on the beautiful but hilly run through Highland Park. We seem to be hitting this run each season (the last time it was Fall) and each time it reveals another set of charms. Today it was a huddle of ducks sleeping in the half frozen pond and a long stretch of snow covered path. And of course there is the enhanced views over the river due to the leafless trees. At the end there was coffee, warm cinnamon rolls and good company at Tazza D'oro.

Mar 2 Run: Tazza D'Oro, Highland Park

This coming Sunday's run will begin at Tazza D'Oro (http://www.tazzadoro.net/) on Highland Ave. Once again, I am hoping Joanne is reading this and will graciously appear as she usually does, or else we may be seeing parts of Highland Park that we did not anticipate. This will be the first run of March and coincidentally was the first run of October 2007 so perhaps it marks the changing of seasons.

Meet at Shady and Wilkins at 6:30 - 6:35 AM for a run to the run (it is about 2.5 miles).

Those of us who ran down to the run this morning were reminded that "bridge surfaces freeze before road" as we skated over the Panther Hollow Bridge. But we made it across it ,as well as the Hot Metal Bridge which at least had some snow cover - but we did have to stop in the middle to take in that magical panorama of the city rising out of the river mist. We turned away from the South Side and were rewarded by a view of the pale winter sunrise over the glassy river. The trail was peaceful although we were noisy as we crunched through the crusty snow - Pam likened it to popping bubble wrap. It was one of those gorgeous blue-sky, white, crisp wintry mornings that remind you what a beautiful city Pittsburgh is.

Feb 24 Run: Hot Metal Bridge - legally

Hoping for no ice next week, we will cross the Hot Metal Bridge in broad daylight, with no fear of reprisal and run the trails on the South Side. We did not explicitly discuss which direction we will go, but both have their charms.
Meet in the parking lot closest to the bridge in the Pittsburgh Technology Center. If you are approaching the bridge from downtown, make a right before the bridge into the parking lots and head to your left. The bridge is at the corner of Second Ave and Hot Metal Street.

There will be a run to the run starting at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 6:30 AM.

Perhaps it was the comparatively warmish weather, easier schedules or even cabin fever but we had a few more people show up this morning for the as promised, flat Shady-side run. It was sort of a flat February morning as well, overcast and dreary - just the kind of day you welcome time spent with friends. We tried to get into Heinz Chapel, unfortunately it was locked but we did get a tempting peek into the candle-lit interior of St Paul's Cathedral as we ran by.

A few good tips from the run and from the always interesting Coffee Tree Klatch:

• Yaktrax are worth trying for running on ice (http://yaktrax.com/)
• Half a Yellow Sun by by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sounds like a worthwhile and entertaining book
• Walkers are now meeting regularly on Sundays at 7:00 AM at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill
  

Feb 17 Run: Center for the Arts upper parking lot

Virginia will lead a very flat run through Shadyside on Sunday, Feb. 17. We'll meet in the upper parking lot at the Center for the Arts,
because the construction on Fifth Ave. blocks the entrance to the Mellon Park parking lot (the usual meeting place for this run) as well as Beechwood Blvd.
Signs in the Center for the Arts lot say the metered spaces are monitored 24 hours, so you could either take your chances there or just
park on Shady Ave. The Center for the Arts is the big Yellow Building at the corner of Shady and Fifth Aves.

Thanks to Virginia for this report:
Only 3 people showed up for the run that started in front of Tom's house (Roye, Tom and me), but it was a splendid morning as Tom led us through CMU campus and up through Schenley Park. We were very happy to get our run in before the temps dropped throughout the day to a bitter and windy 8 degrees by nightfall.

Feb 10 Run: Tom's house

Once again, Tom graciously agreed to lead next Sunday's run. Meet at his house: 5434 Aylesboro - near Forbes Ave, at the usual time (7 AM).

The ice had mostly melted, no snow was falling, the sun was out, the sky blue and it was relatively warm - what more could one wish for on a Sunday in February? We ran through Chatham, down one set of 'secret steps" to Fifth Ave, through Mellon Park and then up, up, up Beechwood Blvd. A pleasant route for a pleasant morning. Walkers added to our numbers at the Coffee Tree and we had what I am sure will be the first of many discussions on the upcoming elections - come join us for this educational and entertaining series. And of course there was that flock of fit men in biking tights who stopped by for a break....

Weather over the mountains permitting, I will be in Washington DC next week so would someone please send me the location of the following Sunday's run?

Feb 3 Run: Coffee Tree, Squirrel Hill

The first run in February will be a mystery run (who knows who will lead or where it will go) from the Coffee Tree.

Although it was warmer than last Sunday, only four of us turned up for what Sarah Allan would call a "snow-globe" run. I had misgivings as we headed into Frick park, thinking that the trails would be to slippery, but it turned out to be a wonderful morning to be in the woods. I know one of these days we will have less than a stellar run but this was not it. Snow was falling as we wound our way down to the meadow and its wintry landscape. We discovered the final extension to that magical 9 mile run trail that brings it out almost to Commercial Ave. I admit we did walk the steeper parts up to the nature center due to the footing which made every step a little bit like 2 but it was well worth the effort. Once again we met up with the cheerful walkers at the Coffee Tree.

NY Times: Too Cold to Exercise? Try Another Excuse

---

January 17, 2008

Personal Best

Too Cold to Exercise? Try Another Excuse

By GINA KOLATA

JULIA HENSLEY, a 41-year-old artist, got a taste of bitter cold a decade ago when she spent a winter living on a glacier near Seward, Alaska. Typical winter temperatures were 10 to 15 degrees below.

“The first time it got really cold, I was scared of it,” Ms. Hensley said. “My instinct was to get a stack of books and curl up beside the wood stove.”

But a boyfriend persuaded her to go out anyway, to cross-country ski or snowshoe for hours in deep snow. He taught her, she said, that as long as she kept moving, she would be fine.

It was a conclusion — that extreme cold can be safe for exercisers — that runs contrary to conventional wisdom. But in fact, said John W. Castellani, an exercise physiologist at the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, it turns out that even though cold can be frightening, more people are injured exercising in the heat than exercising in the cold.

Dr. Castellani was lead author of a 2006 position paper from the American College of Sports Medicine on exercising in the cold.

“The big question was, ‘Is it ever too cold?’” Dr. Castellani said. “The answer is no. People go to the poles, people are out there when it’s minus-50 degrees, people do incredible things, and safely. There really isn’t a point where you can tell people it is not safe anymore.”

Dr. Timothy Noakes, an exercise physiologist at the University of Cape Town in South Africa who was a reviewer of that position paper, even supervised a swimmer, Lewis Gordon Pugh, who swam 1 km or (.62 miles) in 19 minutes at the North Pole last July, in water that was between 29 and 32 degrees.

The problem with exercising in the cold, exercise physiologists say, is that people may be hobbled by myths that lead them to overdress or to stop moving, risky things to do.

Some worry that cold air will injure their lungs or elicit asthma symptoms. Or they are convinced that they are more susceptible to injury when it is cold and that they have to move more slowly — forget about sprinting or running at a fast clip.

But lungs are not damaged by cold, said Kenneth W. Rundell, the director of respiratory research and the human physiology laboratory at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. No matter how cold the air is, by the time it reaches your lungs, it is body temperature, he explained.

Some people complain that they get exercise-induced asthma from the cold. But that sort of irritation of the respiratory tract is caused by dryness, not cold, Dr. Rundell said. “Cold air just happens not to hold much water and is quite dry,” he said. You’d have the same effect exercising in air that was equally dry but warm.

Dr. Rundell and Tina Evans, a Ph.D. candidate, showed this a few years ago in a study designed to dispel what Dr. Rundell called the myth that cold air can induce asthma. Volunteers with exercise-induced asthma, whose airways tended to narrow after exercise in the cold, breathed cold air or room temperature air that was equally dry. Their airways narrowed in response to the dryness of the air, not its temperature, Dr. Rundell said.

People with this problem should see a respiratory specialist and take medication when they exercise in dry air, Dr. Rundell said. And, he added, “you might want to use a balaclava,” so your exhaled breath can moisten the air you breathe.

Another myth is that you have to acclimatize to cold, just as you do to heat. It’s true that peoples’ bodies adapt to hot weather and that adaptation makes people feel better when they exercise in the heat. It also improves performance. With heat adaptation, you sweat more profusely, your sweat is less salty and your blood volume increases.

But exercise physiologists find only modest adaptation to cold. The body’s main responses to cold — constricting blood vessels near the skin, shunting blood to the body’s core and shivering — do not improve if you spend more time in the cold. Nor are the physically fit any better at adaptation than the sedentary.

“Right now, we’re not sure if there is any degree of habituation,” said Robert Kenefick, a research physiologist at the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.

Of course there are hazards like frostbite and hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s core temperature drops too low.

Dr. Noakes said that during Mr. Pugh’s North Pole swim, hypothermia was a real concern. Hypothermia can happen suddenly in icy water, with the swimmer’s core temperature plummeting, and the fear was that Mr. Pugh might pass out and sink before he could be rescued. Mr. Pugh, an experienced cold-water swimmer, was wearing a device to monitor his temperature, but nonetheless, Dr. Noakes was “petrified,” he said.

The biggest risk of hypothermia comes with a combination of wet and cold. That is because water transfers heat from the body 70 times more efficiently than air.

Hypothermia begins to set in when the body’s core temperature falls to 95 degrees. That elicits shivering and a rise in blood pressure. But if your temperature drops to 85, you lose consciousness, and if it goes much lower, you can die. The trick to avoiding hypothermia is to keep moving, Dr. Noakes said. “As long as you keep moving you are not going to die because you generate so much heat.”

One mistake winter exercisers make is wearing too much clothing. You don’t want to sweat profusely because you overdressed.

“You should feel cool before you start exercising,” Dr. Castellani said. “You should not feel comfortable.”

That means, Dr. Noakes said, that even in temperatures as low as 10 to minus-20 degrees, a runner probably needs to wear no more than a track suit, mittens or gloves and a hat.

The other major concern, frostbite, can come on fast, as my running partner Jennifer Davis, 37, discovered about a decade ago. It starts when the skin’s temperature drops to 82 degrees and you feel an area of skin is becoming really cold. At a skin temperature of 68 degrees, the skin starts to hurt. It may tingle or burn or ache or you may feel a sharp pain. When the skin’s temperature falls to 50 degrees, it feels numb. And when the skin’s temperature reaches 27 degrees, the skin freezes. The result is frostbite.

Ms. Davis got frostbite when she went out for a run early in the morning on a cold, windy day with temperatures in the teens. She ran for about an hour wearing a baseball cap. Her ears hurt for a while, then the pain went away.

She took off a glove to touch her ears so she could find out just how cold they were. To her shock, one of her ears cracked. “It was sort of like semi-frozen meat,” she recalled.

When she got home, she was horrified by her red and swollen ear. An ear, nose and throat specialist diagnosed frostbite and told her that her ear would be sensitive to the cold for the rest of her life.

He was wrong, though. The ear was red and stuck out for weeks, but it healed. Now, Ms. Davis said, she can’t even remember whether it was her right or left ear. But ever since, she has worn a hat that covers her ears when she runs in the cold.

As for Ms. Hensley, the woman who lived in Alaska one winter, she now lives in Seattle and rides her bike in the winter rain, charging up hills.

“I just remember the lesson I learned that winter,” she said. “You don’t have to stand inside and say, ‘Oh, it’s a yucky day.’ You can go out in anything. You just have to do it.”

Jan 27 Run: Colfax School

Pam Murray will lead the run next week. Meet at Colfax School at 7 AM.

5 runners and 5 walkers braved the cold and were rewarded with a crisp, clear morning and a fiery sunrise. Roye led the runners on an entertaining tour through Frick Park, Regent Square, the community gardens, and finishing in Homewood Cemetery just in time for that spectacular sunrise. We all read the NY Times article so were dressed appropriately and actually warmed up during the run so that those first sharp moments outside receded quickly. And for those inquiring minds: Yes, Tom wore tights, with shorts on top, of course.
Paula, the Brit, led the walkers also timing their route to see that sunrise from a breezy hill in the cemetery. Runners and walkers met at the Coffee Tree and promptly took it over with raucous and racy conversation. I think this was one for the memory books!

Jan 20 Run: Entrance to Frick Park at Reynolds and S. Homewood Ave

Roye, kindly volunteered to lead the run this coming Sunday. Meet at the entrance to Frick Park, at the corner of Reynolds and S. Homewood Ave - across the street from the Frick Art Museum.

Only 4 of us showed up for Elaine's new run this morning. Although she bravely tried to run, Elaine's back was not cooperating, so the rest of were left to figure out the route. Elaine's instructions were simple but we still managed to creatively modifying them, leaving the original run still available for another Sunday. The highlight of both runs (Elaine's and the modified one) were Wendy's cigarette steps - a typical set of Pittsburgh cement stairs linking Beechwood Blvd and Murray Ave. where, at least according to those on the run, Wendy used to go during High School to smoke. The gray morning was brightened by a lush rose sky as we passed Frick Park. Elaine did re-appear for the anticipated coffee visit which was as delightful as always.

Jan 13 Run: Coffee Tree, Squ'ill

Sorry for the delay in sending this - I hope I did not add to any post-holiday stress worrying about the location of the run but I was out of town;-) Elaine Mormer has volunteered to lead the run this coming Sunday. Meet at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 7AM. This means there will likely be a nice visit over coffee at the end, always a good remedy for winter blues.

While I was tramping about London (business trip but with some much appreciated time to explore), I understand a good group of people turned out for Tom's run last Sunday. Tom and Paula told me that Elane crafted a set of rules during the run which I suspect sprung out of the group's penchant for offering up creative route alternatives. Here they are:

Rules of the Run
1. Respect the Run
2. Re-read rule number 1
:-)

Jan 6 Run: Tom's House

Tom kindly agreed to lead the first Sunday run of 2008. Meet at his house: 5434 Aylesboro - near Forbes Ave, at the usual time (7 AM).

Yesterday morning was surprisingly pleasant - calm, not too cold - perfect for a winter morning run. Susan Hunt's route was a nice mix of city and park. It was a good day to see our neighborhood in its muted winter colors - a restful anodyne to holiday extravagance.

Happy New Year to all of the group. A toast to many runs filled with friendship and the beauty of our city in 2008!

Dec 29 Run: Susan Hunt's House/ Dec 25 Run: Coffee Tree

There will be a Dec 25 holiday run starting at 7:00 AM from the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill for those who don't have family/church commitments. Note that the Coffee Tree will not be open.

Poor Tom tried valiantly to lead the run this morning but his plans kept being disrupted by various requests from the small but demanding group (We have to run by the wind tunnel!, What about Macy's windows? But we can't see the Duquesne Light Display from this side of the street! etc). Of course, Tom bore this yoke lightly and soldiered on to show us the city lit up for Christmas including a dinosaur dressed like an elf. The running group magic returned and we missed the rain but the silver gray sky created a dramatic setting for the city as we ran across the 9th street bridge. Church bells chimed just as we returned to PPG place adding to the festive feeling.

Ally provided a good tip for future downtown runs - you can get to the restrooms in the Hilton from the doors on the backside of the hotel. These are far nicer than those at McDonald's, where Wendy and I had to resort to civil disobedience to use them.

Dec 23 Run: Downtown Holiday Run: Tree/Ice Skating Rink at PPG Place

Next week, weather permitting, will be the annual downtown holiday run. Meet at the ice skating rink in PPG Place. In the center is the big Christmas tree disguising the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler. Past highlights have included the Pittsburgh creche and the windows at Macy's.
If anyone is interested in a run to the run, let me know. We can meet at Phipps Conservatory in time for a 6:15 AM departure.
Since we really do seem to be getting a winter this year let's have a backup plan: if the weather is horrible enough to make driving uncomfortable lets meet at the Coffee Tree at 7:00 AM.

Tired of Nordic Traking and lulled by stories from previous runs that the rain had not really been that bad, I joined Terri, Karen and Tom for what turned out to be a pretty soggy Sunday run. But, as always, Tom put thought into this holiday run, showing us examples of other religions (home of Art Rooney Jr.) and the promise of re-birth (Paula's new family room and kitchen). We were also cheered by those nice folks who left their holiday lights on lighting up the dreary morning. As an added bonus, the coffee and camaraderie at the Coffee Tree seem especially fine after being out in wind and rain. Finally Happy Birthday to Karen whose special day is today!

Dec 16 Run: Tom's House for the Panther Hat Run

Meet at Tom's house (5434 Aylesboro - near Forbes Ave) this coming Sunday to see panthers in Holiday attire. I must have missed this run in the past because others were not as mystified by the theme as me. Turn up to satisfy your curiosity.

Today was the Run of the Seven H's: Happy Holiday Huffy Hilly Hanukkah Run - OK only 5, but I could not resist the reference to the feast of the seven fishes. Julie led us on a roller coaster run (hills are good, hills are good....) through Squirrel Hill where we saw at least seven Menorahs and found out that there was a Hanukkah Parade being held today. Although it was overcast it was a pleasant day to see our neighborhood wearing the trappings of various holidays surrounded by the last patches of our first big snow.

A few of us extended the camaraderie over coffee at Julie's beautiful house. Topics of conversations ranged from teen-age daughters ( those of us with boys can only wonder how different that experience is) to recommendations for carpet installers. I am continually grateful for the knowledge and depth of friendship freely shared by this group with so little demanded in return.

Dec 9 Run: Intersection of Willard, Dallas, Wilkins in Point Breeze

Julie Meder will lead the run on Sunday from the intersection of Willard, Dallas and Wilkins - right near St Bede Church.

I confess I opted out of Sunday's run - even a possibility of ice is enough to send me to the Nordic Trak. But a hardy group did show up and I hear that the rain stopped just for the period of time that they were running! Elaine Mormer had this to say: "The run was fantastic- the views from the bridge were suitably spectacular and the trail along the river gave us great views of all those recently rehabbed downtown condos and apartments." I am sure this run will be repeated sometime in the near future.

Don't forget the jewelry party on Friday night December 7th. It is a great opportunity to pick up holiday gifts for family, friends and for yourself plus you get to see your running friends wearing their "real" clothes. Virgina provided these details:
Party starts at 7 til whenever.
My house is at 1200 Lancaster Ave., 15218 (corner of Lancaster and Sanders) in Regent Square.
412-371-8946.

East End Runners FAQs

Updated 2 January 2011
When does the group run?
There is a run that begins every Sunday at 7 AM from various places, usually around the East End of Pittsburgh.

How long are the runs?
The Sunday runs are usually 40 - 50 minutes long. Often there are also "runs to the run" for those who want to go a little farther.

Where do the runs start?
The runs start at different places every week.

Who creates the routes?
There is usually a leader who knows where they are going, although there are runs that are creatively devised by the group if the leader does not show up.

How do I find out where to meet for the Sunday run?
The current "secretary" sends out a note the week before the run saying where to meet.
You can also find the location of the Sunday run in our Blog: http://eastendrunners.blogspot.com/ Check out the links section on the bottom right hand corner of the page for other helpful information.
Are there any weekday runs?
Every Wednesday and Friday there is a 3 mile run that starts at the corner of Forbes and Murray at 5:45 AM (yes that is in the morning).

Do you run in the winter? in the snow? in the rain?
Yes, but the group might be smaller - there has been at least one run where only the leader showed up - so feel free to sleep in if you don't like nasty weather or if it looks like the footing will be uncertain.

Any other runs?
There is usually a default holiday run that starts somewhere in Squirrel Hill at 7:30 AM (you get to sleep in!) on July 4th, Easter, Labor Day... you get the idea. Watch your email for confirmation or just turn up and take your chances.

Does the group run fast?
The group runs somewhere between a 10.5 - 12 min/mile pace. There are various levels of runners in the group but we don't leave people behind.

Does the group do anything else but run?
People frequently meet for coffee after the Sunday run. Lately we have been meeting at the Common Grounds Coffee House on Forbes Ave in Squirrel Hill but we also try out places near where we run - such as the Big Dog Coffee Shop on the South Side or Tazza D'Oro in Highland Park

How many people are in the group?
As of January 2011 the email list has 95 people on it (up from 65 in November 2007!) but there are usually only 5 - 15 people on the Sunday runs and 4 - 10 on the weekday runs. We are not sure why all those other people are on the list but unless you ask we won't delete you.

How do I remove myself from the list?
Send a note to the person who sends out the information about the Sunday runs.

Are there membership dues?
Are you kidding? We often don't know the last names of the people we are running with.

Who can join?
Anyone who likes to run and is referred to the group by another member.

Do I have to run every Sunday/Monday/Friday?
This is a very free-form group. Show-up whenever you like, we will be happy to see you.

Does the group have a motto?
Yes, it has two: "So many decisions could have been bad" and "Start slow and taper off."

How and when did the group start?
It was started 15+ years ago by a few mothers of small children who wanted to get some exercise. Ask Elaine Mormer and Susan Hunt for more details they are members of the original group.

Dec 2 Run: PBT Parking Lot (31rst St Bridge run)

All
In a continuing celebration of bridge openings, next Sunday we will run across the 31rst bridge to Herr's Island and the running trail along the Allegheny River, perhaps adding a loop around the Island for fun. Meet at 7AM in the parking lot across from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre/School which is on the right side of Liberty Ave. going into town, at 29th street. If you have time, bring along some extra cash just in case we decide to eat breakfast in the strip, perhaps at DeLuca's or Pamela's (both Pittsburgh legends).

It is difficult to find enough appropriately enthusiastic adjectives for this morning's run. 6 of us ran down to the South Side enjoying the clear, cold weather and sightings of the full-moon in that early morning sky. Luckily Tom showed up when we reached our destination or I would have been writing about our run back up to Squirrel Hill. Instead, the 6 of us (Tom opted for the bridge but joined us on the way back) overcame a few obstacles to run across the pedestrian portion of the Hot Metal Bridge and it was well worth it! The bridge is very wide and offered us a stunning view of the sliver-bright moon glimmering over the city sky line and Monongahela River. We headed toward the city on the wooded path that skirts the river and under several of Pittsburgh's many bridges. Tom reeled in Elaine, who I think might have taken us all the way down to Station Square, just as we passed under the 10th Street bridge. She led us into the South Side for the Urban part of the run. We once again visited the Victorian Tea Garden and Duke's Tire Service which does not have a web page but Tom tells us you can get while-you-wait service and reasonably priced tires. We also passed the The Double Wide Grill where several of our members have enjoyed meals as well as many other South Side bars and restaurants. We saw a clutch of police cars at the Birmingham Bridge and thought perhaps we were in trouble for earlier transgressions but they were surrounding a gushing water main break that was icing up the road. We quickly passed, trying not to attract attention and finished with another bridge crossing this time with the rising sun on our right and the fading image of the full moon on our left - spectacular.

Nov 25 Run: Hot Metal Bridge/ South Side

To celebrate the opening of the pedestrian section of the Hot Metal Bridge, Elaine will lead us across this new path (no more risking our lives as we sprint across the car part of the bridge) and then on a discovery run around the South Side. Meet in the parking lot of the business closest to the bridge in the Pittsburgh Technology Center. If you are approaching the bridge from downtown, take the right just before the light at the bridge. It is the corner of Second Ave and Hot Metal Street.

There will be a run to the run starting at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 6:20 AM.
Just a reminder that there will also be a run from the Coffee Tree starting at 7:00 AM on Thanksgiving (the Coffee Tree opens at 6AM).

I led the run today which included traversing Meade Street from Linden Ave to Braddock Ave. I wanted to show the group the wide variety of houses (including one that looks like an Italian Villa) and businesses (Construction Junction, East End Coop, Shady Lane School) that can be found in this little corner of the East End. Despite the cloudy/damp morning, more typical Fall weather than we have seen lately, a good number of people showed up including Chloe the dog, one of the running group's mascots. We followed the run with a particularly boisterous gathering at the Coffee Tree.Nov 25 Run: Hot Metal Bridge/ South Side

Nov 18 Run: Linden School

Next week, another South Point Breeze run - this time across Meade St. Meet at Linden School.
We discussed doing a Greenfield run and one to visit the shrine over the Parkway but since no one who was at the run this morning remembered exactly how do to either of them, I thought I would give us another week to figure them out (any ideas Tom?).

Today was certainly one of those runs to remember! Pam lead us on a discovery tour of Hidden Pittsburgh - or at least South Point Breeze. We visited Westinghouse Park, ran by the place where Pam's husband has his business and the East End Brewing Company which we would never have found without help! We saw a boarded up house with a satellite dish and some little patches of country right in the city. And if that was not enough, Pam managed to get the owner of the Oh Yeah Ice Cream and Coffee Shop to open up early so that we could feast on home-made waffles and ice cream with great mix-ins. Definitely a run to repeat!

Someone requested the link to the Three Rivers Rowing Winter Rowing League: http://www.threeriversrowing.org/r-winterrowing.html
There is a new round of (indoor) lessons starting up in January which I would highly recommend.

Glad to be back for our Sunday Runs!
Anne Jane

Nov 11 Run: Highland Ave and Alder (Arhaus' Parking Lot)

From Pam Murray, a new starting place is always fun:

Next weeks' run...we will meet at Highland & Alder (Arhaus' parking lot) for a run, and coffee and ice cream at "oh Yeah" afterward. pjm

I am sure today's run and coffee afterwards was wonderful given Wendy Bennett was visiting from California. I will be back on the job next week (yay!).

Nov 4 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

From Paula Clemens who is doing a great job in my absence:
Next week's run on 11/4/07 will start at the Wendy Bennett trailhead (at the junction of Barlett and the Blvd of the Allies), and Wendy Bennett's appearance is expected (however, she may decide to be historically correct, and…well…not show up!).
Our run yesterday took us through the streets of Squirrel Hill enjoying Halloween yard displays. Since all but one of the inflatables was deflated, we had to settle for less airy displays. We were somewhat puzzled by also seeing an Independence Day display and a lighted wreath, but whatever…!! We also enjoyed a near full moon as the darkness of night transitioned to daylight during the run.
Paula

Oct 28: Run: Paula's House

From Paula Clemens who did a nice job "sub'ing" for me this week as I was enjoying the fall colors in the hills of West Virginia.

Anne Jane,

Next Sunday's run will start at Paula's house at 1319 Murdoch Road in Squirrel Hill.

This past Sunday we had a delightful fall morning run through Oakland, Squirrel Hill and Schenley park. It included tidbits of the history of water main breaks in Pittsburgh. We inhaled the beauty of a magnificent, fiery red tree on the CMU campus. Curiously for such a lovely morning, the run was very lightly attended.

Paula

Oct 21 Run: Tom's House

Next Sunday's run will start at Tom's House at 5434 Aylesboro (near Forbes Ave) - who knows what creative run he has in mind...

It was too dark to run in the park this morning so Virginia took us on the Edgewood 5K route. Many of us were impressed by how pretty this neighborhood was. With its big mansions, cozy brick cottages, and big trees gave it a slightly European feel. There were definitely times when I did not know where I was. It was a delightful run for a fall morning.

I will not be here for the next three Sundays but if someone sends me the location for the run I will be happy to send it to the group.

Oct 14 Run: Tennis Courts on Braddock Ave

This coming Sunday Virginia will lead a Regent Square Run. We will meet at the Frick Park Tennis Courts on Braddock Ave at 7AM.

Run to the run will start at Beechwood and Wilkins at 6:35 AM.

Once again Joanne turned up to lead us on a devilishly hilly but satisfying run through Highland Park. It was very warm and humid for a Sunday in October but the leaves are starting to change and a few of us cooled off in style while riding back to Squirrel Hill in Karen's convertible with the top down. On the run Karen told us about her visit with Sandra Day O'Connor and solved the question of what she wore (it did involve that long black jacket). Congratulations to Pam Murray who was the third woman to cross the finish line at the Hazelwood 5K - sure there were not a lot of runners but the group celebrates all accomplishments!

The walking group seems to really have taken off this time thanks to the support of several people who are serious about walking and view it as a long term endeavor. If you are interested in joining please send mail to Paula Leslie, pleslie@pitt.edu.

Oct 7 Run: Tazza D'Oro, Highland Park

The first run of October will begin at Tazza D'Oro (http://www.tazzadoro.net/) on Highland Ave. I am really hoping Joanne is reading this and will magically appear as she did last May, or else we may be seeing parts of Highland Park that we did not anticipate.

Meet at Shady and Wilkins at 6:30 AM for a run to the run.

A few of who either could not or did not want to run the Great Race had a pre-fall run in Homewood Cemetery this beautiful morning. Adding to the bucolic feel were 5 adolescent deer browsing peacefully among the graves. This was a perfect day for the Great Race and I am sure those runners who participated, relished it.

Sep 30 Run: Great Race/Coffee Tree

Next Sunday is the Great Race which begins at 9:30 AM this year. For those of you who would like to join up with the group to run, Pam Murray welcomes all those running to convene at her house around 9AM (earlier if you want coffee). She lives at 2200 Beechwood - about 1/2 between the start line and Colfax school on the big bend.

For those not running, meet at the Coffee Tree at the usual time, 7:00 AM. Those who turn up can choose their own run.

Yet another lovely sunny morning run up and down the hills in Schenley Park - the weather has been quite amazing these past few months - perfect for park running. We started a conversation about the upcoming Jewish Holiday, Sukkot, on the run for which Pam provided "just-in-time" information from her Blackberry once we were at the Coffee Tree. Although all of us were certainly aware of this kind of ubiquitous connectivity it was still a bit wondrous.

Sep 23 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

Continuing our effort to get all those park runs in before it is too dark to negotiate the tree roots and rocks, we will meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead at the corner of the Boulevard of the Allies and Bartlett this coming Sunday.

Al and Julie brought along their lovely dog Chloe for a romp through a misty Frick Park this morning (she romped the rest of us just tried to get up the hills with dignity). It was the first really cool morning - a precursor of that most lovely season, Fall. Several of us were glad we found our gloves.
At coffee we missed Wendy - Karen needed fashion advice and very few of us at the table were qualified to give an informed opinion about whether her suit was appropriate for an upcoming meeting with Sandra Day O'Connor. Lest you thought we only talked about surface concerns we did discuss the role of the judiciary branch in Pennsylvania and at the federal level.

Sep16 Run: Colfax School

In order to get in some of those park runs before it gets too dark (boo), let's meet at Colfax school this coming Sunday and hope someone turns up who knows their way around Frick Park!

The run to the runners enjoyed surveying the wooded valley and speculating about Duck Hollow as we ran across the Somerset development on our way to the Waterfront. We joined up with a small but enthusiastic group and ran along the lovely river front trail. Tom read the plaques - that area is full of interesting history and worth a return visit. All of us delighted in a train passing overhead, the red sun breaking through the clouds behind the hulking mass of the old Carrie Furnace steel works and the sighting of two crew boats slicing through the serene waters of the Mon. But, it sure was hot and muggy!

September 9 Run: Waterfront - meet in the parking lot near the 3 tall chimneys

All
Next week will enjoy a flat run on the river front trail by the Waterfront development. Meet in the parking lot near the three tall chimney stacks and the Longhorn Steakhouse.

There will be a run to the run, through the Somerset development, starting from Wilkins and Beechwood at 6:15 AM sharp. Those of us planning to do this sincerely hope some of you will drive to the Waterfront!

Perhaps because we started and ended at a different Coffee Tree or because it is a holiday weekend or because the weather was just so darn beautiful, the run had a slightly alternative feel even though we ran through the familiar streets of Shadyside and around the Cathedral of Learning. A group of us extended our enjoyment of the exquisite morning by walking back to Squirrel Hill, permitting us to take a closer look at those mansions on Woodland Lane. We figured that the Mormer Bat Mitzvah Party must have been a big success since neither Elaine or her brother joined us :-)

Sep 2nd Run: Shadyside Coffee Tree, Labor Day Run: Squirrel Hill Coffee Tree

Next Sunday we will meet at the Shadyside Coffee Tree, on Walnut Street across from Prantls and Max and Erma's, for an improvised Shadyside Run or if you have a plan for Shadyside run, you are welcome to lead us.

Monday is Labor Day and tradition says those in town meet at the Squirrel Hill Coffee Tree at 7PM for a run.

Tom broke out his Case Western shirt (which still fits!) for the back to college run this morning. He took us by CMU, Pitt and Carlow, seeing the buildings where a few of the group work as a side benefit. The very hot, humid weather finally passed and although still not quite cool, running was definitely more pleasant as we thought about returning students and the end of summer.
Paula the Brit brought along her husband, Ian and yet another new colleague of her and Elaine's to coffee after their walk in the park. This is good reminder that we usually end up at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill around 7:45 - please feel free to join us even of you haven't run. Of course this coming Sunday we will be meeting in Shadyside but you can meet us there too.

August 26 Run: Tom's House at 5434 Aylesboro

Tom has offered to lead a "back to college" run from his house at 5434 Aylesboro (near Forbes Ave) this coming Sunday. Wear your school colors :-)

This morning we saw the storm damage in Schenley Park first-hand as we climbed over and under trees that had fallen on the Steve Faloon Trail and, although the skies were cloudy it never rained. It was dogs all around at coffee! Julie brought her dog Chloe on the run so of course she accompanied us to the Coffee Tree. Murray occupied his usual place under our table. Elena came along to get coffee for her house and had Blue with her. But, the piece de resistance was a visit from an 8 week old puppy who was passed around baby-like to get pets and snuggles.

August 19 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

This coming Sunday's run is an "old favorite" through Schenley Park. Meet at the entrance to the park at the corner of the Boulevard of the Allies and Bartlett aka The Wendy Bennett Trailhead.

It was one magical view of the city rising out of the mist after another on yesterday's Three Rivers Run. Although there were only a few of us running, including Chaton (welcome back!) who now is one of the Urban cool living on the North side, we all agreed it was definitely a Premier event. We discovered an interesting sculpture near PNC Park that thanks to Roye's observant eye, made some dubious social statements (why were those women crouching?). We watched workers pull a tree to standing that had been toppled by last week's storm. And we ended the run listening to the spiritual tones coming from the sound sculpture. Perhaps it is the lovely weather but it seems like all the runs this summer have been special.

August 12 Run: Three Rivers Run - meet at the Benedum

Next week Elaine is providing a break from interminable Coffee Tree runs by leading one downtown that crosses over all three three rivers and on which the only up-hills are the slopes up to the bridges. This is one of the running group's "premium" runs so join us, if you can. Meet in front of the Benedum Theater on Seventh street between Penn and Liberty.

A run to the run will start from Phipps Conservatory at 6:15 AM. Those of us choosing this option will be sure to bring bus fare just in case.

Today we had a make-it-up-as-you-go run through the atmospheric Chatham College campus which as usual, did not dissapoint us. Although there was a lot of hill climbing we were charmed by the New England-like architecture as we pondered questions such as: Is it graffiti or is it art?, Are those sculptures or inventive ball dispensers for summer camp?, Was there really a set of steps to Shady Ave? Back at the Coffee Tree we entertained the morning crowd by doing a few Yoga poses, lead by Roye.

August 5 Run: Coffee Tree Yet Again

We have not exhausted the possible runs from the Coffee Tree and since this easy choice matches the vacation-like atmosphere we will meet there again this coming Sunday.

What could be better than a run through Frick Park with friends new and old on a mid-summer's morning (assuming you forget about those up-hill bits)? Not much! The meadows are in full-bloom and the trails shady.
Tom, a.k.a. HWRWW*, had the company of two other men this week: Paula the Brit's husband, Ian and Elaine's new recruit, Alvin. I brought along a visiting ballet Mom. Plus we ran into Elaine's husband Carl in lower Frick. All contributed to lively run with many of the usual elements: discussions about real-estate, a recipe shared and a leisurely visit over coffee afterwards. Murray has now been officially adopted as the group coffee dog.

*He Who Runs With Women

July 29: Coffee Tree Redux

A request to run in Frick Park, leads us back to the Coffee Tree this coming Sunday which has the added attraction of making coffee easy on these balmy summer mornings. Can you believe July is almost over?


We were on our way to a traditional Homewood Cemetery Run, complete with a stop to read Robert Wood's self-effacing gravestone note, when there was a suggestion to investigate the community garden plots. So we dropped down from the cemetery and thoughts on mortality to view the gardens teaming with flowers, vegetables and life. We followed this with a pleasant visit over coffee where Murray the dog once again charmed his way under our table.

July 22 Run: Coffee Tree Again

Because this past Sunday's run was certainly not a regular run (see below) plus the summer is such a delightful time to sit outside and drink coffee, let's meet at the Coffee Tree again.

Our run got off to an auspicious start when a police cruiser trumpeted "Have a nice run ladies" as we ran down Murray Ave. We then made our genteel way around Prospect Drive looking at the fancy race cars that were being prepared for the Vintage Grand Prix. Those two events alone would have made for a memorable run, but we continued on the Wendy Bennet Trailhead trail and Elaine led us up steps by the Vietnam Vets Pavilion, which were new to some, to the Schenley Oval. There we discovered that the new soft track had been completed which of course we had to run around as we admired the very fine soccer field. Heading back to the Coffee Tree we were stopped from crossing to Bartlett Street by a race official (Emergency Vehicles on the Grand Prix course?) and had to make our long run even longer by skirting around various barriers. By that time we got back to the Coffee Tree we were more than ready for coffee and visit from Murray, a calming kind of dog.

July 15 Run: The Coffee Tree

It was beginning to look like there would only be a small crowd for this coming Sunday's run so we decided on something simple - we will meet at the Coffee Tree on Forbes, Ave. and go where we feel like. Homewood Cemetery is always an option but if someone has other creative ideas please bring them.

Today we re-affirmed our love for Frick Park as Julie led us down-hill and up-dale on those cool leafy paths. Afterwards we enjoyed Julie's hospitality as we drank coffee and traded stories on her gracious front porch.

July 8: Corner of Dallas and Willard

Next Sunday's run will be led by Julie from the corner at Dallas and Willard (St. Bede school; triangle flower bed where Wilkins meets Dallas).

Yours truly is running on the flat plains and under the open sky of Illinois so I have no report from this past Sunday's run.

July 1 Run: Colfax School

This coming Sunday meet at Colfax School for a run in Frick Park.

Today was yet another in the amazing (for Pittsburgh) series of clear, cool, and sunny Sunday morning runs. We followed a herd of deer and flock of turkeys as we wound our way through the historic graves of Allegheny Cemetery. I can not adequately convey how the beauty of the early morning sun on the trees coupled with the echos of past combined to create a kind of other-worldly feel. Of course there was also lighter talk of ballet and tutus as we pondered an alternative to Swan Lake: Deer Park.

Note for the record book: It took us about 35 minutes to run from Wilkins and Shady to the gates of the Cemetery. We ran through Chatham , over to Negley to Friendship Ave then headed up to Penn Ave right by West Penn Hospital.
Once in the cemetery we followed the Green Line almost to the Butler Street Entrance where we picked up the double Green Line which took us back to Penn Ave. From there we took the lavender line to the "Garden of Peace" and then returned.
We last ran in the Cemetery on August 13, 2006

June 22 Run: Allegheny Cemetery

All
This coming Sunday run will start at the Penn Avenue gates of Allegheny Cemetery: http://www.alleghenycemetery.com/
The entrance is close to the intersection of Pearl and Penn Avenues. If you are driving toward town on Penn, the entrance is on the right several blocks before you see St Francis/Children's Hospital.
The map on the website says that the green line through the cemetery is a historical run so perhaps we can try that.

A run to the run will start at 6:30 AM from the corner of Shady and Wilkins.

We had another glorious morning run through Schenley Park as we sent Wendy on her way with discussions about moving, graduation (the running group has 3 children graduating from Schenley High School today), conferences and more. Unfortunately Wendy had no time for coffee but we are already anticipating a running group outing to Designer Days when she returns in November.

June 17 Run: Wendy Benett Trailhead

Run with Wendy on her last Sunday as a resident Pittsburger: meet at the Wendy Benett Trailhead at 7:00 AM. We will take a little detour, weather permitting, to peek at the Chihuly Exhibit at Phipps. Of course there will be coffee afterwards.

Frick Park took on a slightly foreign air this morning, which had to be one of the 10 most glorious mornings of 2007. The clear blue sky, golden light and sparkling air coupled with the new wooden walkways and bridges once again transformed Frick (on an earlier run it was the mist). The feeling continued as we sat outside for coffee and conversation - this time we were at the beach.

June 10 Run: Colfax School

All
Meet at Colfax School on Beechwood blvd for a run through Frick Park and if you feel like leading (as opposed to us blindly following our whims) please come with a plan. There will definitely be time for coffee afterwards so come with money and a little time to spend.

I unfortunately could not make what I am sure was a great downtown run this past Sunday so I can not provide any highlights.

Anne Jane