Feb 5 Run: PPG Place for a triple threat run

Meet at PPG Place, home of the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler and the Ice Skating Rink for a 3 bridges, 3 rivers, 3 stadium run in honor of Superbowl Sunday (the third stadium is in the planning phase:  http://www.riverhounds.com/home/589776.html)

Another crisp and sunny Sunday run, this time along the Mon Valley Heritage Trail. Being winter we could see clearly the post-modern rust-belt scenery across the river as well as panoramic views of the upstream bridges framed in steam and sunlight. I was told by at least two runners to be sure to mention the bouncing bridge over the rail-road tracks that nicely echoed the entrance to the Noah's Ark ride at Kennywood - it did provide the same sense of surprised disorientation, enough to elicit a few yelps of delight. The turn-around point was at the backside of the park where the Thunderbolt and whatever the Steel Phantom is these days overlap. It was a tiny tease of summer to come.

We had quite a few people who joined us for coffee - a nice trend - we can become a running AND Sunday coffee group. Some of the conversations turned to election year matters and Roye kindly explained Stephen Colbert to those of us without cable. There were also discussions about Kindles, ebooks and the library - this was just at my part of the table!

We send healing vibes out to PtB who turned her ankle on the run to the run.

Jan 29 Run: Lowes at the Waterfront

If weather cooperates (no big snows to block the trails), we will meet at Lowes in the Waterfront Shopping Center for a run to Kennywood and back.

You know it is cold when Tom wears his tights as he did this past Sunday. That did not stop a sizable crew of runners from following Roye on a trip to see small East End gems. There were Moravian stars on Hastings, mosaics on Penn Ave and Currier and Ives street scenes to entertain and distract us. A lovely run for another crisp winter morning. 

We visited the CoffeeTree at Bakery Square. Nice big windows but not quite as homey are our regular hang-out.

Jan 22 Run: Coffee Tree Bakery Square, MLK Run: Commonplace

If you have tomorrow off and would like to run with company, meet at the Commonplace in Squirrel Hill at 7:30AM (note the holiday time).
Next Sunday meet at the Coffee Tree in Bakery Square for a trip through East Liberty and beyond.

While it was chilly, this was a perfect morning to take our first tour of Troy Hill. The bright white air was a clear lens from which to view the panoramic views of the Allegheny river and the city. I almost decided to skip this run, and I am so glad I did not - as Elaine said, Joanne may have already won the award for best run of 2012 (who knew there was one?).  Once again I felt like a tourist in my own city. With its narrow streets and shoulder to shoulder brick houses, Troy Hill has a slightly European feel. Joanne was our tour guide, not only leading us to landmarks but providing historical commentary. Consider St. Anthony's Chapel, Pittsburgh's home of 5,000 Catholic related relics, North Catholic High School  from where a few influential Pittsburghers graduated or the last remaining piece of the reservoir that once served the city - we saw all of these and more. But of course the highlight was the magnificent vistas, not only on the city-side but even of the surrounding neighboring hillsides - they were more than worth the climb!

We toyed with the idea of stopping at LaPrima for coffee but with no indoor seating we decided to invade the Commonplace. However Roye, stopped by La Prima and surprised us all with warm meles. It just added to the feeling of an unexpected holiday.

And finally from Paula the Brit:

Need to check this with Joanne but here is the run:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/64457270

Run that Lisa (welcome!) and new Joanne are doing:
http://www.smileymiles.com/2011/APP%2011%20021911%20Runnin%20Outta%20Our%20Mine%205K.pdf

And a plea for Pittsburgh Trees, I got the last form in The Common Place but there is an online VERY SHORT survey:
 http://www.treepittsburgh.org/urban-forest-master-plan

Jan 15 Run: Washington's Landing for a Troy Hill Run

Meet at the parking lot right under the 31st St Bridge on Washington's Landing, just off the ramp from the bridge. Both Joanne's (a second Joanne shed her lurking status and joined us) kindly agreed (well, they got dragged) to lead us on a run through Troy Hill, a neighborhood most of us have not explored before. Although it was not discussed we could have coffee at Expresso a mano  in Lawrenceville or even go out for breakfast a MauraMori on Butler at 52nd St.

Joanne from Highland Park outdid herself with a new run through Highland Park, the neighborhood and the park. It included wooded trail that paralleled the river and looked over the Highland Park dam - a unique view of both and a trail that I think was unknown to all of us.  Then just when I thought we would run by the zoo, back into familiar territory, we headed across the little bridge, up a hill and turned onto Jancey Street in Morningside. It was a neat little circuit.

We truly took over Tazza d'Oro, jamming many tables together and loudly holding multiple conversations at once. Jan had to raise her hand and voice to quiet us down enough to ask a question of the group (are we interested in a group trip to DC - of course!). I could just hear the collective sigh when we left the paper readers and coffee drinkers.

Jan. 8 run - Tazza D'Oro for a Highland Park Run

[Don't be confused - I just wanted to be sure it was recorded in the blog for future reference - next week's run will be coming soon]


Next up:  Highland Park run starting at Tazza D’Oro on Highland Ave.  As always we are hoping Joanne will appear and take us around.  (No pressure, Joanne!)

We had the usual holiday double whammy this New Year’s weekend – Schenley Park and Homewood cemetery runs that gave just the right amount of heat to fuel some excellent coffee conversation topics. (Perhaps these exercise priorities are not the best.) These turned up the following endorsements which we sort of New-Year's-edly resolved to follow up on. 

• Oli’s Beadwork – she gives classes in how to do it
• Vitamin D: way beyond calcium boosting properties
• Upcoming Van Gogh exhibit in Philly: Megabus trip, anyone?
• Unclaimed property: you can REALLY get big chunks of cash that is legally yours - affirmed by our RG lawyers
• “Gap year”:  hate the term but like the idea – should be available for the middle-aged
• Bow and arrow:  good protection if you are in Ghana
• Brandy-soaked Montmorency cherries:  in cookies (PtB, was this it?) really in anything
• Podcasts:  A Way with words; the Moth; The Guardian Books Podcast; Prairie Home Companion
• Mindfulness: requiring limiting exposure to the above podcasts
• Mindlessness: dog diving at Cabela's (Costco pales in comparison.)

Jan 1& 2 Runs: Starbucks/Commonplace

Since Sundays take precedence over holidays, meet at 7:00AM on Sunday, Jan 1 to run in the New Year. Gather at Starbucks as Commonplace will be opening later that day.
On Monday, Jan 2 you get to sleep in for a 1/2 hour: meet at 7:30AM in front of Commonplace.

A good number of people showed up for the Christmas morning run, including a few guests. The weather was mild and the streets quiet - perfect holiday conditions. We wandered through Squirrel Hill in search of outlandish decorations and inflatables and were fairly successful although next year we might have to send out notes ahead of time to remind people to turn on those lights.

We squeezed into Starbucks which was full of people looking for coffee and as usual we loudly discussed any number of things. It was a great way to start the day!

Dec. 25 run: Starbucks at Forbes and Shady

Next week, Christmas Day, we will start at 7 a.m. at the Squirrel Hill Starbucks (Shady and Forbes) since that is the only cafe that is open, and have an Noel-inspired run that will include lights, inflatables, pine trees, and possibly Santa on his way out.

Hopefully we will not have to deal with slipping and sliding over icy terrain as we did yesterday - though it was all a great lead-up to our visit to Penguins' Pond, the new ice rink on the South Side - which was filled with baby Sidney Crosby's zooming around at 8 a.m. Elaine also took us through the super new path in back of the Hofbrau Haus, with only a short incident of illegal trespass, and up a mysterious staircase that led to a remarkable view and the historic, newly refurbished Terminal Building, about which Elaine and Jonathan know a surprising number of things. Coffee was a draw, as usual, and the discussion turned Talmudic as regards the timing of runs on holidays, the proper frying of latkes, and the scheduling of visits to Costco.

Dec 18 Run: Hot Metal Bridge for a SSide Tour

Meet at the parking lot by the Hot Metal Bridge (enter the lot at the foot of Bates St and make a left) for a run down the trail then back on Carson Street where we will look for displays of the holiday kind.

Run to the Runners meet at the Commonplace - be ready to leave at 6:20AM.  We will return there for coffee,

It was seasonably cold this morning for our traditional downtown holiday run. While the decorations were bright as always, they were almost outshone by the spectacular full moon which hung snow white in the dark blue sky as we began then faded to a misty gray in the dawn sky. This did not deter us from visiting all our regular places: the windows at the former Kaufman's, the creche in the Steel Plaza, the City Christmas trees. We added a few new sites, some of which sadly are temporary: Occupy Pittsburgh, the Civic Arena, Pittsburgh Freedom Corner which offered an expansive view of downtown and the Juvenile Court where Tom works.

Today's coffee banter covered beer for nausea, the history of Quinine, Gin and Tonics (you can see the connection there) and more I am sure.

Dec 11Run: PPG Place for the Holiday Run

Next Sunday meet at the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler a.k.a. the skating rink at PPG Place, for our traditional trip around the downtown holiday sites.

There will be a run to the run from Phipps conservatory starting at 6:15AM.

What started out as a tour of Homestead ended up being much more than that - as someone commented, only Pam Murray could lead us on a back-country run in the middle of Pittsburgh. Right from the outset things were interesting as first one then many decided to take advantage of the bathrooms at the Courtyard Marriott. After gathering stray and late participants we ran on the always lovely riverside path taking in the maze and pump house along the way. Then, what looked to be a shorter path into Homestead, turned out to be an overland trek through one of those unexpected urban wild places ending in a trot by the rail-road tracks complete with speeding trains. We did eventually find our way into Homestead, the land of a 1,000 churches - no kidding, it seemed there were churches on every corner, one more ornate than the rest and several for sale (are you in the market?). It was a run that included something for everyone.

Virginia and Jan joined us for the ever lengthening coffee hour.

Dec 4 Run: By the tall smoke stacks in the Waterfront Parking Lot

Pam Murray is going to lead another Homestead Church run to start off our month of holiday runs. Meet at the tall smoke stacks in the Waterfront parking lot between Costco and the movie theater (near the Longhorn Steakhouse).

We caught the sunrise in Homestead Cemetery this morning but it was the red/blue/violet sky leading up to it that was the real show. And as often happens in this Cemetery we saw a few deer to add to the bucolic atmosphere. The temperatures were mild making for a pleasant post-Thanksgiving run which seemed to include a few extra hills.

Many stayed for coffee and a few joined, filling up Commonplace with convivial chatter. I noticed that there were no treats bought or brought - perhaps a residual effect from Thanksgiving overindulgence. Despite the lack of carbohydrates we hung out until 9AM, discussing politics, iPhone apps, Thanksgiving adventures, and more.

One of those who stopped by was Max Plotkin. Don't forget that she is hosting an expanded jewelry party this -there will be 6 other displaying their ways artists including herself. All runners, lurkers, friends and family are invited:

Sunday, December 4th, 12:00 - 8:00 PM

1411 Severn Street, 15217 (Max's home)

Alternate parking on Wilkins and Beechwood 

Refreshments will be served

Thanksgiving Runs: Commonplace Coffee

We were having such a good time this morning we forgot to choose a meeting place for next  Sunday's run but given the holiday, I am arbitrarily selecting Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill - the usual holiday default location.
I know most people are either out of town or running the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day but you can take your chances and show up at Commonplace on Thursday at 7:30AM (note the slightly later holiday time) and see if any like-minded runners appear.

Only a small group began this morning's run but slowly picked up members, first Michael running down Liberty, then Sharon arriving in her car and finally the run to the runners - in the end it was a fair size group augmented by Jan who seemed to turn up magically everywhere we went even though she was walking (how DID she do that?). On this twist to our usual downtown/ river trail route we started at 21st and Liberty, ran down Penn Ave to the Point - unfortunately we could not quite get there as the fountain is fenced off, although in true EE Runners spirit, we tried - and returned on the trail by the Allegheny all the way to its almost end at the Cork Factory (as Cheryl commented: it's all about beginnings and endings). Along the way we took in the many sites on Penn including the "Horne's" Tree and the Violin Shop. The plantings on the river trail were still attractive in their autumn colors and the river, as always, remains such a strong element of our city's landscape. We ran up and back on the pathway at the Convention Center, although it was slightly disappointing that the water feature and lights were not on. We admired the finials on the 16th Street Bridge while expanding our vocabulary and finally remarked on the currency of the historical marker ("Desperation and Decadence") describing one of the union stand-offs. It was a rich run!

Despite overwhelming the server at La Prima and getting apple instead of almond meles we experienced the usual coffee chat rejuvenation that included a quote about being responsible for the energy you bring to places and a unique display of useless but interesting talents.

Nov 20 Run: 21st & Liberty for a Downtown Run

Meet in the parking lot at 21st and Liberty (on the left as you look downtown) for a run down to the Point then back on the trail by the river - it should be flat and fabulous. Oh and of course there is La Prima and pastries waiting at the end....

Today's run combined a set of misadventures into one nice adventure. A few of us (ahem) did not carefully read the run directions and were waiting at the wrong entrance to Allegheny Cemetery. Thanks to smart phones we discovered the mistake.The run to the runners just fit into my Fit and we zoomed to the start on Butler Street where we found the pack musing about how to get around some dogs wrestling with their owner at the only opening to the cemetery. It was decided to head uphill, and it was very much uphill, away from the dogs in hopes of finding another entrance. That entrance was to St. Mary's Cemetery where we had never been before - always a treat to admire another Pittsburgh landmark. We did find our way to Allegheny Cemetery where we explored the perimeter and despite traveling some unknown trails today there are still more waiting for us in this beautiful park-like cemetery.

Coffee conversation was raucous and delightfully long. Topics covered were delicious chickens from the East Liberty Saturday Farmer's Market  as well as from the Crested Duck at the Pittsburgh Public Market , Mark Bittman's lecture and eating habits, upcoming trips to CA by a trio of runners, possible future runs, taking charge of your own health and more....

Nov. 13 run - Butler St. entrance to Allegheny Cemetery

Next up: a run through Allegheny Cemetery and environs, starting at the Butler Street entrance (around 47th, there should be on street parking around there) – we may return to the Espresso a Mano café afterwards, or else the usual Commonplace – group will decide.

Taking advantage of the added hour and more daylight, our Schenley Park autumn run was a classic: cool, colorful, and bright with a sizeable crowd. Two new runners joined us, and we had a visit from Ian! Après-run discussions were lively as usual: we seem to be getting louder and louder, and hopefully they won’t throw us out any time soon. Apps, movies, biking, books (GoT of course, and I promised I would mention Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, a marvel for young teens and everyone else.) Also endorsed: Terra Cafe around Morgantown WV near a great bike trail. I can’t recall much else mainly because I have been distracted by this article in yesterday’s NYTimes that will have us talking for months – suffice it to say that we have some running pioneers among us.

Nov 6 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead/ Turn your clock back

Reminder: Turn your clocks BACK (Fall back) an hour before you go to sleep on Saturday Nov 5th.

Next week meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead - the start of trail below the Schenley Oval at Bartlett and The Boulevard)- for a run through Schenley Park while there is a bit of morning light, thanks to the time change (See above).

Tom took us on a very traditional Halloween run through Squirrel Hill this morning, somehow conjuring up fog to complement the theme. We not only saw tombstones, ghosts, cob webs and Halloween Inflatables (that were inflated) but there were also Halloween snowmen - which has to be a first for us. It was a good run for a chilly morning.
Coffee lasted delightfully longer than usual and included three walk-ons: Paula the Brit, Jan and Judy. I don't think there was one mention of Game of Thrones so perhaps that spell is broken.

Oct 29 Run: Tom's House for a Halloween Run

Perhaps by next Sunday Tom will have found a hidden cache of Halloween Inflatables. But what ever run Tom thinks up is bound to be interesting. Meet at his house (5434 Ayelsboro, close to Forbes) at 7AM.

I was grateful that despite my repeated absences, those that showed up for the run humored my wish to run in Homewood Cemetery. It was a perfect autumn run: slightly misty, sun rising, trees blazing and deer posing - we could not have asked for a lovelier fall morning. With a small group we took over the cozier seats at Commonplace. We were joined by the new physics teacher at Alderdice, a friend of Jan. Without thinking about it I contributed to the continuing "Game of Thrones" references but as usual there were many other topics of conversation.

Oct. 23 Run: Commonplace for an on-the-fly run

Next up: on the fly, since numerous runners will be in West Virginia and possibly elsewhere, and will begin at Commonplace Coffee.

Yesterday’s Sukkah run was an attempt to correct the impression we got from last year’s, namely that all sukkahs (or sukkot, or sukkos, whatever – temporary huts built to celebrate the Jewish holiday of the same name) are made with PVC pipe and plastic sheeting. (Brings to mind the Hanukkah menorah run, but never mind.) They were: understated yet elegant at Temple Sinai, Martha Stewart-ish at Rodef, struggling to survive the wind and rain at Pitt, and non-Jewish and quirky at CMU, where we also had to dodge insanely speeding buggies. Aligning with our practice of ignoring “Do Not Enter” signs, we ran by a few gigantic mansions in the somewhat hidden Diocese-Bishop/Hillman Family neighborhood – not sure whose was whose. Excellent planning resulted in crossing paths with a Hasid carrying Lulav and Etrog (too complicated - look it up).

At coffee we actually tried and failed to get up and leave several times, and went over the complexities of title insurance, disease or lack thereof in Africa, plumbers we have known, what you can sell at synagogue gift shops, etc. Endorsements: for unputdownable books – Ken Follett, Geraldine Page, Elizabeth George, Philippa Gregory, Ann Patchett (and of course George R.R. Martin who at this point seems like a member of the group). Also: Defending the Caveman, at a theater near you - http://pittsburghclo.culturaldistrict.org/production/30207/defending-the-caveman – which we hope will soon be followed by: Menopause, the Musical - http://www.menopausethemusical.com/.
Shout-out to PtB, who is traveling and receiving honors in her native land.

Oct 16 Run: Commonplace for a Sukkah Run

Autumn = Sukkot = Sukkah
Join Elaine and Roye as they make a tour of the entries in Pitt's Sukkah contest. Meet at the Commonplace. For those who are not Jewish read about Sukkahs here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkah and http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm

Someone may still send out a description of this past Sunday's run.

Oct 9 Run: Frick Park: Blue Slide

Since this past Sunday's run was rained out there will be a re-try of that run. Meet at the Blue Slide Park on Beechwood Boulevard for a run to Duck Hollow and back. Note that it was not clear who is leading so it might end up being a jaunt around Frick Park and its environs.

Oct 2 Run: Blue Slide Park on Beechwood Blvd

This is getting to be too easy for me! I opted to take advantage of the decreasing number of warm mornings and take a single out on the river but the trusty reporters came through with the information you need.


From Virginal Linn (who has a very nice article in the Post Gazette this morning):
We are meeting at Blue Slide Park to do a loop through Frick Park that will take us to Duck Hollow and back through Somerset to Blue Slide Park.

Also, could you send out an alert that sign-ups open on Tuesday for the 2012 Pittsburgh Marathon/Half Marathon (will be held first Sunday in May 2010) and that for Tuesday only the registration fee will be the cheapest ($65) for the half marathon. On Wednesday, those fees jump to $75. Thanks

And from Paula the Brit:

A grand turnout of Great Racers (Racers of Greatness or Racers of the Great Race??)

 

Cheryl and her brother Paul, Keri, Karen, Richard (of yoga), and Wendy gathered at the pre-race sanctuary of Pam and Chris' beautiful, Beechwood Blvd home. Sarah and her husband Jason and Tom were met out on the starting line.

 

A little warm for me but almost perfect conditions reminded us (I hope) that Pittsburgh is a Great city to live in or near, and Squirrel Hill (sorry but I am unashamedly biased) is a Great neighborhood to launch almost 8,000 runners towards their goal of the downtown. Of course if the PAT cuts hadn't been so severe we might simply have been able to take the 61s to the downtown instead of having to run.

 

Results are already up:

 

http://results.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventLinkageID=2949

 

Thanks must go firstly to Pam and Chris for making welcome the random ealry birds who need the loo.

 

Then to all those souls who line the route and cheer, the police and crossing guards who offer enthusiasm not just thinking of the overtime, the college bands, the water stop teams, and those runners who allow slower beings to tag along, dragging them across the finish line - they know who they are.

 

I read an interview once with an Olympic athlete. He was asked what made an athlete as opposed to just a recreational sports person..... those that keep going despite feeling sick, tired, cold etc. he replied. I was delighted to point out to Iain that I am.... ergo.... an athlete, as I feel sick right from the get go but keep going. Iain kindly pointed out that perhaps the Olympian was referring to more than the nausea of unfitness and hitting the 0.01mile wall. Oh no I don't think so....

 

So here's to all those athletes in the EERs (lurkers included)!

Sep 25 Run: Great Race or Common Place

Thank-you to Paula the Brit who is doing a cracking job of documenting the runs while I am off rowing. 

Sunday 25th is the 32nd Great Race - please do cheer on EERs in the race and for those not running TGR there will be the usual meet at The Common Place 7am. In fact you really could do both.....

http://www.rungreatrace.com/10k_run.htm

Weather was perfect (for me at least) cool, a little cloudy. A game troupe assembled at the Hot Metal offices' car park for one of my favourite (today is a British spelling day) runs. Judy Vernick joined us finally. Judy is a long time, not quite "lurker" as she replies to emails about advice but has NEVER run with The Pack. Point of (useful) info - her husband is a notary. And unlike UPMC who wanted to charge $50 PLUS a per page charge PLUS a mileage charge to visit someone in UPMC where this thing (blue badges) must be wickedly common - Lloyd charged the PA legal costs (interestingly nowhere near the UPMC costs) and came to our house. So you now have a notary contact.

Guided deftly by Jonathan we found this week's entrance to the still-under-construction Bates Street intersection with the Jail Trail and The Pack set off at a cracking pace. Judy, Sharon and I followed at triathlon training pace. Pittsburghers are so very lucky with these riverside trails - support them!

http://www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/

We tried to make it a bit illegal as we hopped over the barriers and ran across the far side of Smithfield bridge. But the traffic stopped and honked in support - "NO you don't get it - we are trying to be naughty!" Ah well....

So back up the Monongahela with lovely sun across the river.  Steady pace, breeze for the virtuous, til we landed home to roost in the car park again. Given that some of us were triathlon training we missed the conversation - erudite as it will have been but off to coffee.

Elaine with new improved arm joined us, and Jan and another Judy (Shimm) which is why I get confused. Conversationturned often to books. The Game of Thrones (again - just give in and read the bloody thing) echoes of the Thomas Covenant which I highly recommend. As our TV package seems to cover just Steelers games and 5 channels of the City Chambers I will not get to see the HBO version until it's Netflix-ed.

http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/