visuals for Aug. 23 run

Aug 30 Run: Reynolds St Entrance to Frick Park

We thought it was time to return to the East End after all these designer runs so Karen will take us through Frick Park and 9 mile run. Meet at the entrance to Frick Park across from the Frick Art Museum and on the traffic circle (or round-about) at Reynolds and S. Homewood. This will be the last run in August!

I admit that today's run is one of my favorites - I love the variety: the strip, the bridges, the rivers, wooded/wild areas, the city, the trails - it really has it all. Plus what better way to end it than sitting outside at La Prima eating melt-in-your mouth warm pastries and drinking superior coffee. We even took a jaunt around Herr's Island to see the Quantum Theater set up and while there found a lovely frog - I believe frogs bring good luck. I think we should take the G-20 leaders on this route since it shows off the city so well ;-).

To view 08/23/2009 The Strip - Washingtons Landing - 9th Street, follow the link below:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=666125103840531872

Aug 23 Run: Parking lot at 21rst and Liberty for Strip/Washington's Landing/Downtown Run

Meet at the Parking Lot at the corner of 21rst and Liberty Ave in the Strip. The lot is on the bus way side of the street. We will make a big loop - crossing the Allegheny to run on the River Trail and across again to pass by the Convention Center. Coffee and melt-in-your mouth pastries after at La Prima so bring some $$$.

The group broke in a new route today and explored a truly hidden part of Pittsburgh. We ran from the Waterfront, across the Gray's Bridge then down to Duck Hollow where we picked up the Steel Valley Heritage trail going toward town. This shaded trail took us to the Glenwood Bridge where we crossed and thanks to Yale, picked our way through some pokey streets (OK there was a sign.. but it seemed mysterious) to Sand Castle and back to the stacks. It was definitely a keeper - plus there are other runs waiting for us - connecting to the South Side Trial, going toward the Rankin Bridge and checking out the new Labyrinth at the end of the Waterfront Trail.

We had a classic coffee chat today demonstrating the depth and breadth of the group's knowledge. Topics covered included: suggestions on where take the visiting Japanese Ambassador to dinner, description of bialys (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bialy), suggestions on how to make and freeze your own pizza shells, Chicago or NY - which is your favorite city?, H&H bagels (there was definitely a food theme) and much more.

To view Stacks-Duck Hollow-Glenwood Br (from Crazy M), follow the link below:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=406125043157742941

Aug 16 Run: Waterfront for a still developing route

Meet at the big smoke stacks in the Long Horn Steakhouse parking lot at the Waterfront for a route that will include the Waterfront trail and perhaps a visit to Duck Hollow - if we can figure that out.

Today was Elaine's famous and fabulous Three Bridges, Three Rivers run. The air was heavy and hot but we slogged on buoyed by downtown vistas and interesting sights not to mention the 8th floor flasher in the Hilton Hotel! It was good to see that the riverfront trail is finally open in front of the Casino - which was fairly quiet even though today was its opening. Perhaps it was the sultry weather but we lingered for quite a while at the Coffee Tree or perhaps we were, as Paula the Brit might say, knackered! Still there is no cause for complaining since our summer has been so mild up until now.

To view 3 B&R Duquesne Bridge, follow the link below:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=140124982670929916

Aug 9 Run: PPG Place for a Three Rivers Casino Run

Next Sunday the new casino opens on the North Shore. We will use this event to revisit the Three Rivers Downtown Run, Meet at PPG Place (glass buildings, fountain, Tomb of the Unknown Bowler) at 7:00. There is free metered parking around there on Sunday.

For those wanting to run to the run, meet at Phipps Conservatory ready to take off at 6:15 AM (as I recall it takes all of the 45 min to get downtown).

Paula the Brit summed up today's run for which I was not present (I only showed up for the coffee):

This is the route:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/pa/pittsburgh/229124921920824075

I'm sure someone more eloquent than I will comment on the route but I think we had 9 people, cool with a little rain but more humidity. Quiet, nice run. Saw a deer at Schenley Park bridge who didn't know quite what to make of us but clearly no threat. Talk of training for the 1/2M in November. Ran along Darlington to view rarely seen beautiful houses.

You and David Coulson joined us at Goat Coffee after. Over to you...

Reviews of the new coffee shop were mixed:

Plus: Lots of seating space with doors to the outside

Minus: Decaf coffee had lots of grounds at the bottom of the cup

Plus: Across from Allegro Hearth Bakery

Minus: A good walk from the usual bagel places - although Elaine was off to see if Kazantsky's had bagels

Aug 2 Run: New Coffee Shop - corner of Hobart and Murray

I am fairly sure it is a Crazy Mocha coffee shop at the corner of Hobart and Murray but their website does not list it yet. It will be obvious when you get there - it is on the same side of the street as the Allegro Hearth bakery - just across Hobart.

I was not on the run last Sunday but I heard that Pam Murray took everyone on some little know paths through Frick Park. While it was longish every one enjoyed it - particularly the little path by the stream.

July 26 Run: Colfax School for Frick Park/9 Mile Run run

Hi All

Meet at Colfax School where hopefully someone will lead a run through Frick Park and 9 Mile Run (it was unclear if there was an owner as everyone hurried out of the Coffee Tree).

A large crowd (well, more than 10 people, including several new members) showed up for a run that touched on the Vintage Grand Prix course and then took us on the traditional Wendy Bennett Trail. We only got a few stern warnings about being on the race course and spent most of our time on the much quieter trails in Schenley Park. Today was just another in a long string of cool and sunny mornings, leading us to wonder if perhaps we had actually transported to another city and did not know it. Chris, Pam's husband, astutely recognized that the purpose of the run was not really exercise but the coffee chat afterwards.

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

Meet at Hobart and Leath way (near Schenley Park) for a tour of the Vintage Grand Prix course.

As I was running the Austin Lake trail last week, I do not have a description of last Sunday's run but I am sure it was enjoyable, as always.

July 3rd and 5th Runs: Coffee Tree

Next week being a holiday weekend many of us (myself included) will be running in other venues. We did not choose a place this morning after the run so I am going with the old faithful Coffee Tree meeting place and let whoever shows up choose the run. 7 AM as always.

I am guessing Tom may still be out there at 5:45 AM on Friday but for others who have the day off, how about meeting at 7:30 AM (a little sleep in) on July 3rd at the Coffee Tree?

Even though Joanne is taking a break from running to rest some nagging injuries, the rest of us finally managed to find our way to her run, enjoying the colorful gardens and houses of Highland Park along the way. The Park itself is a different place with all the summer overgrowth crowding the trails. The group split up at the end some going back to Squirrel Hill and Pam and I staying at Tazza D'Oro. We were joined by Joanne for one of their tasty Cinnamon rolls and some very good coffee.

June 28 Run: Highland Park, Tazza D'Oro Coffee Shop

Meet at Tazza D'Oro Coffee Shop near the corner of Highland Ave and Bryant St. for a Highland Park run. Either we will run Joanne's Highland Park run or Pam Murray will help us find an Urban farm near-by.

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

I was still recovering from a hard day of rowing so did not go on the run this morning. I did however join the group for coffee and heard that they had a great tour of the grand houses in Friendship. Among other things they saw a very large marble front yard Buddha, new wave gardens and some of intriguing art shops that are popping up on Penn Ave.

June 21 Run: Rite Aid at the corner of Roup/Negley and Baum Blvd

Cheryl will take us on a run through the picturesque homes of Friendship next Sunday. Meet at the Rite Aid on the corner of Roup, Negley and Baum Blvd.

There will be a run to the run starting at the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 6:35 AM (according to Google maps it is 1.7 miles).

Is it my imagination, but has this been a particularly lovely spring in Pittsburgh? Sure we have had some gray and rainy days during the week but it seems every Sunday morning has been cool, clear, and sunny - perfect running weather. Today Teri led us through the ups and downs of our own Frick Park, which was looking particularly nice in all its summer greenery. As an extra bonus we stopped to browse through a yard/house sale on our way back to her house (we missed you Wendy!).

As often is the case it was the after run activity that was the highlight of the run (for me at least). Today Teri hosted a book exchange/ breakfast at her house. As you might expect, our group members are eclectic readers with fine taste in books. We all left with big stacks of interesting books and agreed that we will have to do this regular intervals so we can reshuffle the books among ourselves. After book browsing we sat on Teri's pleasant back deck, sipping coffee, eating treats and sharing vacation plans - some of which are very ambitious.

June 14 Run: Teri's house for a book exchange

Teri Malmstrom is hosting a combined run and book exchange (we exchange books after the run :-) this coming Sunday which also happens to be Flag day. Bring books you are ready to retire and find others to read. Teri kindly offered her porch, if people want to drop books off the night before and not carry them while running to the run.

Teri lives on the Severn Street in the 1400 block of Severn St - the end closer to Wilkins on the right hand side as you face away from Wilkins. The house is trimmed in pink and has a lot of flowers on the porch. I confess she gave me her house number earlier today but I am uncertain I am remembering the final two digits correctly - I am sure she will send out the correct address sometime this week.

Many people ran from the Coffee Tree to the Hot Metal bridge this morning for I admit, one of my favorite runs along the Monongahela River past UPMC Sports Medicine toward Sand Castle. It is a flat out and back course and right now a screen of trees obscures the river, but the sound of the birds, the glimpses of the River and the forested hills on the other side give it a little bit of a rural feel - a pleasant break from our city streets.

We saw a tow boat and its barges on the river and there was some discussion about if it was a big tow or not: it was 3 barges wide and two long. My husband, former barge hand, says that this is the maximum size for the Mon where the lock chambers are 600ft. On the Ohio, where lock chambers are 1200 fit, the tow can be 5 barges long. On the Mississippi, were there are no locks the tow can be 10 - 12 barges long - but never more than 3 across.

Practically everyone came back to the Coffee Tree and consequently took over the front part. The new windows were open making for a very pleasant indoor/outdoor experience.

June 7 Run: Hot Metal Bridge for a south side trail run

We will meet at the usual parking lot to the right of the Hot Metal Bridge on the 2nd Avenue side and then run on the lovely bike path toward Sand Castle. Hopefully the string of beautiful weather will continue.

Note that there will be a run to the run starting from the Coffee Tree at 6:30 AM.

Please respond to this note if you are going to drive to the run and would be willing to leave from the Coffee Tree at 6:45AM or conversely if you want a ride to the run.

The slight cooling trend made it just the right temperature to run through Frick Park on this sunny morning. Even though Julie was not there there were enough people who knew how to get us in and out of the park without getting lost. We agreed that this is a wonderful time of year in Pittsburgh with all the green and none of the dustiness that comes later in the summer.

Talk over coffee was all about the coming G-20 conference. We thought perhaps we might invite Michelle Obama to run with us - or at least join us for coffee :-) 

May 31st Run: Colfax School

There is no leader for this coming Sunday's run but either a) Julie will turn up or b) we will run through Frick Park and hopefully end up back at Colfax School.

It was one of those hot/humid/hazy Pittsburgh mornings but Tom lead a lively (well talkative) group on a mixed up version of a regular run through CMU and Schenley Park. At least the park was shady and green so it gave the illusion of being cool. An added bonus was the re-appearance of Sharon Riddler. 

While the run was certainly picturesque the best part of the morning, for me at least, was the leisurely visit over coffee at the end. Sitting outside in the sun on a holiday weekend, talking about everything and more, is a true harbinger of summer vacations (of which I know some of you are on). So while we may not be at the beach or in Paris, we made our own little place or rest and renewal.

May 24 Run: Tom's House - Memorial Day @ Coffee Tree

Next up:  Tom will lead next Sunday from his house, 5434 Aylesboro, to who knows where?  Also, there will be the usual pick-up holiday run on Memorial Day, at 7 at the Coffee Tree.

Unexpectedly cool but perfect running weather took us on the new Squirrel Hill run fashioned by Paula the Brit last week, a Run with a View certain to be repeated, although this time, no giant cow!
http://icecreamjournal.turkeyhill.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/giant-cow-driving.jpg

CTR (evidently the moniker for Coffee Tree Roasters, seen on a poster for their pet biking group - what about us?!) conversation centered on runs, past, present and future, our new expertise on washing machines, and the Great Julia Child.  We speculated on a run in the near future that incorporates some form of public transportation.

May 17 Run: Coffee Tree - Yes Again!

Since the last two weeks have been out of the ordinary, we will meet at the Coffee Tree in Squill one more time to get back on track.

Some accident of time and space prevented me from meeting up with the few runners that showed up for the run this morning. We all were at the Coffee Tree at what we thought was 7AM but we somehow missed each other, although we found each other at the end of our runs. Despite the separate runs we, and I am sure all of you running the Race for the Cure, enjoyed this picture post card morning: it was cool, clear and sunny, the trees were bright green, the flowering bushes vibrant - we could not have asked for a prettier day.

I ran through the cemetery and reflected on motherhood, mothers here and those who have died (not surprisingly as I was running in a cemetery). I thought about how we all mother through being mentors, managers, teachers, gardeners, pet owners, doctors, coaches - all those activities involving nurturing. So Happy Mothers Day to all of you!

Spirit of Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon

Thanks to Teri and Yale for the info!

This isn't until October but it might be worth putting on the calendar - it looks great! 

http://www.spiritofpittsburgh.com/ 

I have a postcard for it with a promo code (PM09) for $10 off the registration fee which you can use to register on-line. 

You can save another $10 by using the promo code SOPACT09 also. They are still charging the $40 fee (which was to expire 4/1), as well. Hence you can into the race for 23.25 (there is a 3.25 processing fee).

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May 10 Run: Coffee Tree in Squill again

Next Sunday is Mother's Day and the Race for the cure (http://www.pittsburghraceforthecure.org/). If you are not running in the race, going out for brunch or having breakfast in bed, there will be a "pick-up" run from the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill at 7 AM as usual.

A big shout out to all EE Runners and friends who participated in the Pittsburgh Marathon and 1/2 Marathon - as well to everyone who recently completed 1/2 marathons in other places.

Plus a big hug to Chaton who is recovering from a rough round of illness!!

Three of us showed up this morning, ensuring the tradition of Sunday runs was not broken. Although there only a few of us, we managed to cash in on some of the marathon good-will by running a small portion of the course here in the East End. The streets were already closed providing us the rare opportunity of running down the very middle of 5th avenue. People setting up aid stations and getting ready for registered runners were quite happy to give us a round of applause as we blazed by (well - at least we were running). As we ran we relived our marathons of years past and imagined having to run another 10 miles from where we were (not so easy any more).

May 3 Run: Coffee Tree Squirrel Hill

In order to avoid getting entangled in potential Marathon related traffic/road blocks etc. we will do an impromptu 'hood run starting from the Coffee Tree. We will also send a blast of psychic support to those in the group running the 1/2 and full marathon - Go EE Runners!!!

Janet Catov and her cute as a button dog, Willie, joined us this morning as our celebrity alumni runner; plus injured but getting better regular,  Sharon Riddler, joined us for coffee - these visits along with the almost summer weather lent a holiday-like atmosphere to today's run. Karen led us through Frick Park, a great choice because I don't think you can get enough of the parks during this bright green season. As Jonathan aptly commented we are coming to the end of the "see-through" season  and right now we are at the magical in-between point as the trees form a lacy backdrop to the surrounding hillsides.

Even coffee was special today, as we were able to sit outside for the first time in a long while.

Apr 26 Run: Reynolds Ave. Entrance to Frick Park

Hi All
Karen will lead us on a run through Frick Park and Nine-mile run this coming Sunday. It will be a good chance to see this lovely area dressed for Spring. Meet at the Reynolds Ave, Entrance to Frick (at the traffic circle).

Tom named today's run: Palumbo to Palumbo and it was a doozy. We ran from Oakland to the Palumbo Center at Duquesne then back to the Palumbo building at Carlow. In between we saw all sorts of interesting, provocative and amazing building/street art. Someone has been painting vibrant murals in uptown, which along with the seeding of some vacant lots is making that area seem less seedy ;-) One theme was definitely animals - we saw a chicken on a mural; parrots, dogs and a turtle(!) in a scupltural mural on the side DU Palumbo center, rabbit sculptures peaking from a backyard, a large monkey face on the side of a house and eagles on the new bridge over Forbes. We also got a ground level view of the new and imposing hockey arena. Again, we were all surprised by what we saw as we ran through the uptown neighborhood - Pittsburgh has so many of these hidden gems.

Our coffee meetings are getting so popular we are now attracting non-runners!