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