March 30 Run: Back to the Strip - start at parking lot at Liberty and 21st St.

Anticipating the views downtown, the yummy pastries, and maybe a relief from hills, we'll head back to the Strip on Sunday, parking in the usual lot at Liberty and 21st.  Runners-to-the-run: write in to make arrangements.

Last week we returned to our familiar Schenley Park run - still monochromatic which was comforting in a way; next time we're there green things will be starting up all over the place, urging us to get moving already.  Nothing against springtime - but there's something to be said for being allowed to curl up in a blanket a while longer.  Hmmm - that was not really in the runner's spirit - I take it back.

The usual lively chat followed of course with numerous observations/endorsements:

• Joined at the hip - or the hand - or the brain - with our smartphones - reminding me of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and its daemons - an awesome read
• The Smithsonian Channel - free and excellent
• All Things Disney, then and now - how did it get to be so powerful for 50+ years?  Do underground tunnels have anything to do with it?
• Standing desks from Varidesk
• Final episode of Downton - esp. the romance downstairs

March 23 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead at Schenley Park (see below for map)

With hopes of spring, an earlier sunrise, and not too much mud, we return to the Wendy Bennett Trailhead and Schenley Park for our next run.

We had a refreshing and comfortable run last week through Regent Square and Frick Park, and will give 2 more thumbs up for the 61B Cafe and its provisions.  Which may have had an intoxicating effect since they inspired napkin scribblings so incoherent that I can only transcribe them:

• cellphone addiction
• prayer rooms
• new jobs
• nightmares
• classics
• immigrants
• Las Vegas, Ventriloquist Terry Fator, the Hoover Dam and Pinball Hall of Fame (this I know comes from Lainy)
• Mini M&M boxes that hold quarters perfectly (Teri figured this out)
• The famous day of the RG Ice Storm and Aimee's heroism
• Woman Caves with nail polish, yoga, cappuccinos, and flowered dishes
• radioactive Fiestaware "not safe but cool" according to Jan
• The idea that we should get continuing ed credits for this

March 16 Run: Dunning's Bar and Grill on Braddock Ave., Regent Square

March 9 Run: Strip run from 21st and Liberty parking lot

The almond meles at Colangelo's are calling us again to the Strip, so we'll start at the 21st and Liberty parking lot and head downtown, cross a few bridges, and return to La Prima and inhale those delightful smells - at least I think that was the plan.  (Someone might want to call ahead to avoid the heartbreak of no pastry.)

We skirted the edge of the snowstorm by getting out early and followed a pretty clear path over the Hot Metal and along the river to where the Eagle Has Landed in Hays - and actually saw him or her take off over our heads.  We were pretty sure we made out the nest, though a hazy reality was trumped by the much clearer photo on Pam's phone.  By the time we reached our cars, everyone's hair was frosted.  Back at Commonplace Coffee we settled into the warm interior as the snow swirled outside - talked books, arts, wildlife, travel - how civilized is that?
Endorsed:

• Alice Hoffman's book Museum of Extraordinary Things - which inspired Pam to call our attention to (I think) the Center for PostNatural History in Garfield, featuring things like "atomic age rodents."
• Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's Ketubah
• Jet lag treatments:  Ambien, melatonin, sour cherries (will report on the latter next week.)

March 2 Run: start at parking lot at Bates St./2nd Ave. near Hot Metal Bridge

We'll start at the parking lot at the foot of Bates St. and go over the Hot Metal Bridge and check out the state of the trails on the other side - that will determine which way we go - though I admit to wanting to visit the eagles nest again (towards Sandcastle) now that they have produced another egg - come on, in this weather - those birds are heroic!  Not sure of coffee location.

Last week with the surfaces finally clear we had a nice run based on the standard weekday route - Squirrel Hill, golf course, CMU, Oakland, back to Commonplace, proving there is no place like home.  Except maybe - Tahiti is sounding good right now.  Conversation turned towards career and job changes - leading to perhaps a super endorsement of the revelatory Women don't ask - read it and don't weep - ask!

Feb. 16 Run: Coffee Tree on Walnut Street in Shadyside

Sent in by Elaine yesterday:

We had a delightful, albeit icy, run this morning. From Biddle’s Escape we took the back roads through Wilkinsburg into Homewood and past some grand homes throughout Point Breeze. Let’s just say that we were not nearly as graceful on the ice as the Olympic Skaters seem to be. Let’s hope for a bit of a melt before we head out next Sunday….when we meet in Shadyside at the Coffee Tree. We’ll do a loop taking in some of the new construction/development projects in East Liberty/Friendship/Bloomfield.

Feb. 9 Run: starts at Biddle's Escape at 401 Biddle Ave. (off of Braddock)

Next Sunday we go back to the adorable Biddle's Escape cafe (map), and will undoubtedly run around the Wilkinsburg-Swissvale-Regent Square area, though exactly how has yet to be determined.  Any ideas will be gratefully entertained.

As I am on the DL for a bit, I can't report on last week's run except to say, there were an amazing number of brave runners willing to endure the miserable freezing drizzle outside, even more than were cozily and chattily gathered in the 61C (pictured) by the time I got there.  Talk of trains, taxis, pets, and the Steel City Road Runners.  A few endorsements:

• Books: In the Shadow of the Banyan; Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Story-Ravaged Hospital
• Our own Roberto Clemente Museum
• Uber taxis
• The concept of the "single-serving friendship" - when you meet someone on a train or plane, and... that's it.
• Late addition (discovered by Reid) - Webcam on the eagle's nest in Hays that we've visited at least twice now. Talk about enduring the freezing drizzle!)

Feb. 2 Run: 61C cafe, corner of Murray and Bartlett, Squirrel Hill

We're fans of the franchise - after two weeks at the 61B, we're heading back to the 61C cafe on Murray and Bartlett (around the corner from Commonplace) and will probably do a variation of the Bird Run, named for some birds who are no longer there.  In this way we are continuing the cherished Pittsburgh tradition of following "things that are not there anymore."

Bravely, last Sunday Virginia and Michele led the same surprise-filled Regent Square run, but due to the cold and snow, there was another small turnout.  So we'll rerun this run in the spring when there will be less weather discouragement.  The cafe is definitely cozy spot and conducive to long juicy chats.  And this time we noticed the luscious-looking range of baked goods.  Wendy offered us  captivating tales of their son's off-the-charts NY/NJ wedding - which we realized was the last in a series for us, to be followed by a baby series - knitters, start your needles!

Endorsements!
Wild Swans - memoir of 3 generations of Chinese women during the Cultural Revolution
The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto
An alternative to Spanx (which are dangerous!) - Costco's Tummy-Toning Tanks, which are currently out of stock but Michele will see to it they return soon, along with more hand warmers
AND - send this out to all your friends - the Kosher Love Song from the Bennett/Coulson wedding, lyrics by David, sung by the extremely handsome groom.

Jan. 26 Run: repeat of last week: corner of S. Braddock and Hutchinson in Regent Square

The icy streets, barbarous cold, special events, and who knows what else kept almost everyone away from the run last week, which was so new and clever that we just have to do it again next week so more people can experience it.  So we're meeting in Regent Square at S. Braddock and Hutchinson, and will gather at the new 61B cafe afterwards.

It was just a hardy threesome that made the trek, leaders Virginia and Michele and the intrepid Sarah.  I wimped out myself and made a "run to the coffee" (which has its charms.)  Mum's the word on the run, so it will be a surprise next time.  Ensconced in the cozy new 61B, such is the effervescence of the RG that even the four of us could easily come up with some great endorsements:

• Superior Motors - new community restaurant in Braddock, brainchild of chef Kevin Sousa, to open in 2015, having raised 1/3 million $$ from Kickstarter in 33 days.
• Episode on This American Life about a very special "hold" music, called Opus #1.
• Do NOT miss, if you are not one of the 20+ million people who have listened/watched so far, Pharell Williams' 24 Hours of Happy - so mesmerizing and contagious, you will also dance in the street.

Jan. 19 Run: Regent Square - corner of Braddock Ave. and Hutchinson

Next up:  a Regent Square run,  possibly Edgewood, Swissvale, Frick Park?  Virginia said she would show us something, but I can't remember what so it will be a surprise.  We start at the corner of Braddock and Hutchinson.  New coffee place - 61B in Regent Square!

It's always a little iffy starting off on a run when we don't know where we are going, especially on a day as dreary as this one, but the one on Sunday (with help from Virginia) turned out to be quite perfect - ranging over architecturally captivating territory full of discoveries.  We began with a small gathering on the sidewalk on W. North - right next to another hardy group in front of the Light of Life Mission - then up and down many Mexican War Streets, with their fetching old attached houses looking like a movie set - probably have been several - over to the quainter and grander Allegheny West neighborhood - through the park to quirky Deutschtown - up past Allegheny General to the Fineview Fitness Trail, with another steptrek taking us way above the city, past a hidden mini-labyrinth, and finally to the heartbreakingly named corner of Compromise and Hemlock Sts. and of course the eponymous fine view.

In addition to endorsing the comfy Crazy Mocha cafe where we started out, we liked:
- Optic White toothpaste - really works!
- a tip for drying wet sneakers - stuff them with newspaper
- sneakers? tennies? trainers? running shoes? Keds? Cons?
- more tips from the venerable Hints from Heloise - illustrated by our own David C.
- Sarah's Twitter Tutorial:  we need more but it was a great start
- Breadworks - where we convened after coffee and got an amazing 2-for-1 deal on thrillingly crisp and toothsome fresh-baked walnut raisin loaves
- the fact that we added 2 more neighborhoods to our list: Fineview and California-Kirkbride (am counting the Breadworks side trip.)
- I have to add one more thing - found on the Hints for Heloise website - speaks for itself -

Jan. 12 Run: Mexican War Streets on Northside, starting at Federal and E. North Ave.

Sunday's run starts and ends at the Crazy Mocha coffeehouse on the Northside - a block down from Allegheny General Hospital on the corner of Federal St. and E. North Ave.  There should be parking on the street.  We'll tour the Mexican War Streets, but in our quest to cover all neighborhoods, perhaps we can also sneak into Fineview and California/Kirkbride which may be still untouched.  No plan yet, so if anyone wants to devise one, let us know.  And might I suggest that post-coffee, anyone with a car might want to stop at Breadworks Bakery close by on Brighton Ave. - it opens at 8, and has a giant selection of their famous fabulous breads cheaper than anywhere else.

Two runs to cover last week, New Year's day had a good turnout (perhaps this is an indictment of our partying skills) and the only thing I recall is that we had a surprisingly homey time at Dunkin' Donuts (right.)

Sunday, Karen stepped up and led a delightful Highland Park tour, involving a hidden street with the Hobbit house (left), frozen swimming pools, a stairmaster sequence, a footbridge, and warm scones at Tazza D'oro.  So we have at least double the endorsements:

• Films:
• Run for your life - New York Marathon story
• Veep - Julia Louis Dreyfus one step away from the nuclear button
• Lilyhammer - The Sopranos meet Kristin Lavransdatter
• The Killing - crime drama also related to a Nordic land
• Blackfish - "mesmerizing psychological thriller with a killer whale at its centre" 
• I Sodi restaurant in NYC - found years ago by Teri
• a party card game:  cards against humanity - weirdness with laughing
• the word "bollard" - advancing further in our vocabulary development thanks to PtB
• life in Montana where it's so cold that your ear can snap off (maybe the opposite of endorsed)
• Yiddish - we need more of it in our lives - try the magnetic poetry
• Bear Paw boots - forget those leaky Uggs, these keep you warm

We need those today!  Stay warm everyone -

Jan. 5 Run: Tazza D'oro on Highland Ave., whither we don't know---and don't forget: New Year's Day run, from Starbucks on Forbes, 7:30 a.m.

First runs of 2014!  Jan. 1, a holiday run from Starbucks on Forbes & Shady at 7:30, then Jan. 5,  starting in Highland Park at Tazza D'oro at 7 of course - any inspirational routes or themes will be entertained.

Last week is all a blur - I don't know about you, but my brain is not computing these on-again, off-again holidays - what day is it again?  But we did have a perfectly wintry Christmas run all through Smithfield and Homewood cemeteries where Wendy and David (through the group mind-meld) somehow knew where to find us.  Then on Sunday, dripping and dreary as it was, a trio of us (Lainy ran up in time for coffee) splashed through Oakland's dark ramshackle streets, making our detour into the soaring bright holiday-festooned Cathedral of Learning almost a religious experience.

The whole thing felt quite deliciously Dickensian (PtB may have something to say about that) bringing us to our endorsements:

• (This is mine.) The Royal Shakespeare Company's 8-hour theater production of Dickens' Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby - truly one of the great stage experiences of all time - filmed at the Old Vic to be telecast here in 1983 - is on YouTube.  Broken up in to 8 episodes, but all the same, completely divine.  And you can see it on your TV screen using Roku or AppleTV.  What a world we live in.
• (This is Lainy's.) The Paradise - Victorian TV drama - sounds like the perfect chaser.

Dec. 29 Run: Peet's Coffee on 3619 Forbes Ave. in Oakland and don't forget Xmas holiday run: 7:30 a.m. Commonplace

Next up:  First, Xmas run tomorrow 7:30 a.m. at our default spot, Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill.  And on Sunday:  Oakland area run starting at Peet's Coffee, 3619 Forbes in Oakland, off of Atwood.

Glad tidings!  As a very special treat for the season, the report on last week comes courtesy of Lainy, our bard in residence: 

T’was the run before Christmas and all through the town

The runners were waking to rain coming down

With temperatures rising alongside the sun

The rainfall was heavy and dampened the fun

The plan was a flat one, on Walnut to meet

Outside of the Coffee Tree… patter of feet

First Sarah and Lainy, then Sandy and Yi 

But soon it was clear they were all there would be.

No Wendy or Paulas, no Karen nor Roye,

Just FOUR East End Runners, all ready for joy.

They loitered, they waited, for hopes there’d be more

By 10 after seven, they wondered “what for?”

On Walnut they headed toward mansions on Fifth,

To gaze at a manor all wrapped like a gift!

Then down Panther Hollow, more modest abodes

And up a steep staircase to Oakland’s back roads.

Now Tom should not read this, of this I must WARN

For then…a spontaneous route change was born

See, Sandy, it turns out, had yet to discover

The most beloved Shrine of the Sweet Blessed Mother.

So onward the foursome did head in a line

To take in the Queen of the Parkway Shrine

As always, a treat full of awe and some wonder

The sky remained grey with some rain, but no thunder.

Now back into Oakland and towards the Cathedral

(And now comes the trespass that wasn’t quite legal)

Though fire alarms flashed and speakers spewed warnings,

We’re used to the Cathedral being open most mornings

Now, back at the Coffee Tree others arrived

And into the ritual chatter we dived

We spoke of good movies, and holiday treats

And next week the run starts in Oakland at PEET’s!

In keeping with Christmas Day rituals and rites

We’ll meet at the Starbucks, in jackets and tights

Not ‘til 7:30 (you get to sleep in)

Then promptly the Christmas Day Run will begin.

But meanwhile we hope that the week will bring fun,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good RUN!

Dec. 22 Run: Shadyside run starting at Coffee Tree on Walnut St.

Next run by popular demand will stay away from hills (not easy) by running through Shadyside - starting at the Coffee Tree on Walnut St. - visiting shop windows and upscale holiday decorations, especially the Giant Bow on the Mansion on Fifth.  

Our last run was quite a story - in fact many of them - told to us with panache by Bellman and Jazzman Par Excellence, Darryl Cann, who not only knows everything that's happened in the Omni William Penn Hotel during its long, celebrity-filled history, but has riveting tales to tell about them, and in fact is a local celeb himself.  Of course Lainy recruited him for The Moth - where he would undoubtedly carry the day.  Highlight:  fabulous outdoor jazz serenade - pictured.  

That all took place inside and out of the glorious hotel lobby - all gold and glitter for the holidays - which was the start and end of our run (well, with a number of stops) visiting many Christmas trees - giant (City-County Building), historical (corner of the old Horne's, now Highmark), and really weird (The Fairmont)  - and of course the magnificent life-size creche, where we briefly considered posing on the steps, but thought that we'd better not add sacrilege to trespass - and many cute shop windows - and, miracle of miracles, the Sound Sculpture on Strawberry Way, which is making sounds again!  For a while we melded with the Fleet Feet Runners, who once again showed up in our route - are they reading our blog?

Coffee of course in that sumptuous lobby - with the knowledge (learned earlier) that on one of the upper floors, the entire Steelers team was probably still asleep:  Troy was in the house!  What a morning.  Maybe next Sunday we will actually do some running.

Endorsements:

• Darryl Cann, of course, who also hosts and plays jazz at events: canndarryl@yahoo.com
• New running shoe store:  Up 'N Running, out by Rte. 8
• The Speakeasy - reopened after decades hiding out in the Wm. Penn basement
• Etsy and Ravelry - who knew there were so many creative people out there?
• AND - one more chance!  Max is having another jewelry and craft sale by local artisans (and herself) at her home at 1411 Severn St., Squirrel Hill this FRIDAY DECEMBER 20TH 4-8pm.

Dec. 15 Run: Omni William Penn entrance on Wm. Penn Place for annual Dahntahn holiday run

Ho ho ho! Time for the annual downtown holiday run to visit the festive decorations, and since I just had an inspiration for the most elegant coffee venue ever - the Starbucks adjoining the Omni William Penn lobby - not to mention the most opulent public bathroom - let's meet at the entrance on Wm. Penn Place.  There should be plenty of on street parking thereabouts.  Unfortunately after yesterday the celebratory black & gold will be minimal :-( but as always there will be much to gaze at: at least 8 trees, and maybe since Hanukah is over we will be spared those truly tacky menorahs (get it together, Chabad!)

On Sunday, after peering into an icy Frick Park and thinking better of it, our cohort of 17 (!) headed out to the streets - first stop: the adorable lighted star decorations around the house at Hastings and Selwyn, where they soon went dark probably as a result of our raucousness. We promise not to do it again, nice artistic people!  Later: the dawn view of more twinkling city lights from the heights of the Chatham campus - luckily nobody there to wake up.

Back at Commonplace, we endorsed:

• Wendy's hair
• Jan's dog
• The Moth - this Tuesday night at 8!
• JFGI (this acronym contains explicit language)
• A trip to Chicago
• A trip to Marblehead
• Mysteries later to be revealed by group members
• The West Wing
• Apple TV
• adorable baby Greta - now on her feet!  Soon to be running!
• return of the Buffs - do you know of any other headgear referred to as "endless fun"? Our very own version coming soon...

How do I remember all this?

Dec. 8 Run: Frick Park entrance at Reynolds and S. Homewood

On Sunday, Karen has offered to lead through the late fall scenery of Frick Park at dawn - grey, melancholy, quiet - until we get there in our dayglo shoes and start talking.  Meet at the stone entrance next to the rotary at Reynolds and S. Homewood.

Our last run took us through the concrete jungle of Waterfront parking lots and railroad tracks, until we finally reached the bike trail site of Pittsburgh famous eagles' nest.  No eagles spotted, but Lainy did scope out an exit from the Glenwood Bridge which we can use another day.  We are here (photo by Pam) taking note of our quick sojourn in the neighborhood of Hays, and have at least a hopeful intention to record all of them, like the artist Virginia told us about.  Ummm, looking at that list, this may require several generations.  But it's good to have a goal.

Enjoyed a cozy coffee hour tucked into a corner of the Waterfront Starbucks, where we pondered how everything old is new again (i.e cloth diapers, yoga) and endorsed:

• The Barnes Foundation in Phila.
• Women taking a break from family on a solo vacation (like they reportedly do regularly in Norway?)
• Norway
• Free online Harvard course on Science & Cooking (who wants to do this together?)

Dec. 1 Run: Starbucks at the Waterfront. Also don't forget: Thanksgiving Run at 7:30 from Commonplace

On Thursday, for the non-trotters, Thanksgiving holiday run starting at 7:30 at Commonplace.

On Sunday we'll meet at the Waterfront Starbucks - in the middle of what some cynical marketer named "Waterfront Town Square" - you know, the center of every village where can be found ye olde Gap and Victoria's Secret.  I think that the plan is to head over on the new path past Sandcastle, beyond the eagle's nest, wherever that will take us.   And a run-to-the-run starts at 6:30 from the entrance to Blue Slide Park on Beechwood.

Last week was frigid and windy, but no problem for our intrepid group.  Have hotties will travel!  (Being hotties is another story.)  Heading through the strip on Penn Ave., down the Convention Center winding water walkway (sadly not flowing), over the choppy grey river twice, to the Point and past all the cutesy Xmas huts in Market Square, all through dahntahn and back to La Prima where our hearts were broken by the emptiness of the mele trays.  But we filled up with Q and A:

• Guess who has a tattoo? 
• Babies - better than running for meeting friends?  How did the ones raised in the 80's survive their life-threatening cribs and hazardous tiny Fisher-Price people?  
• Are nuts the fountain of life?  Does Jane Brody know all the answers?
• Can we all get standing desks?
• How did we ever find buses before Tiramisu and Google Maps?  
• Is Homeland turning a corner?  Is NipTuck getting too weird?
• Should we all learn Bhangra?  Huge fun but likely hell on the knees.  Is fun worth it?
• Did you watch the Bhangra video?  It's fabulous!  Is this one better: the Russian Police Choir doing a cover for Daft Punk's Get Lucky?  Let's vote next week -

Nov. 24 Run: Strip Run, starting at 21st & Liberty parking lot

It's the time of year when we are thinking a lot about food, so it makes sense that on Sunday we'll be reconnoitering that mecca of Pittsburgh eatables - the Strip, starting at the 21st and Liberty Ave. parking lot.  It's also newly interesting because a chunk of it is being proposed for the National Register of Historic Places - so we should definitely circle that area (15th-22nd sts. between Railroad St. and Liberty Ave), while saluting Parma Sausage, Lotus Foods, Wholey's, Penzey's, PennMac, Enrico's, Reyna Foods, Stamoolis, the Banh Mi lady - ah, I love you all.

The first word of my notes for last Sunday is "water", which could mean a lot of things, but probably refers to the unheard-of occurrence of rain falling on the run, which it did. (The chutzpah!) We circled Squirrel Hill, visiting the infamous "smoking stairs" of Wendy's teen years and the recently liberated-from-vehicles stretch of Pocusset.  Only slightly dripping as we trooped in for coffee, we started talking about food again.
Endorsements:

• Hypnosis
• Audiology and Speech Pathology conferences - party time!
• Return of the Duck (evidently likely)
• Weddings, past, present, and future
• The Squirrel Hill poetry writing workshop
• The word locavore
• Moro - the Cookbook
• New York Restaurants!  La Vara, Blue Hill, the Green Table, and finally from PtB: The Fig & Olive. Meatpacking.  That is SO the place. 

Nov. 17 Run: Commonplace Coffee on Forbes

Hi ya'll

A large-ish group of us convened at Commonplace this past Sunday for a brisk run to the run, which commenced at the base of the Hot Metal Bridge. As usual I was so immersed in conversations that I did not pay attention to where we were. Next week's run will begin at Commonplace.

Some highlights: 

• Sufficiently healed hamstrings, allowing for the r2r
• Cheryl appearing excitedly at the last minute, telling us, that she had a great plan for our route (hey, maybe she should be writing this...)
• Spectacular views afforded by never-before-mounted-by-RG steps leading up to bridge by Duquesne University, enlivened by stories of Cheryl's undergraduate career there

(thanks to Virginia for photo)

Coffee klatching:

• Benefits of rest stopping at Bedford Springs hotel en route East
• Has Homeland jumped the shark and do we like Masters of Sex? (WB: yes to both, especially Lizzy Caplan in MoS)
• Preparing for doomsday at the Greenbriar
• Do people tend to drink more decaf coffee as they age? (take note, Evan from Commonplace)
• 60 minutes podcast per Lainy

See you soon!

Wendy

Nov. 10 Run: Hot Metal Bridge for a South Side run

Next week we'll meet next to the Hot Metal Bridge in the Thermo Fisher parking lot, off of 2nd Ave. near Bates St.  There may be a plan to cover the South Side and Jail Trails - or was it in the other direction?  At any rate, we know where to start.

Just a bulletin this week, since I was in DC and missed all the talk.  I did see some inspiring ancient statues of yoginis, though, at the Sackler Gallery, and found a marvelous cheap lunch with the best pumpkin dumpling ever at the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe in the National Museum of the American Indian.  (The museum is pretty awesome too.)  OK this is getting longer than a bulletin - just couldn't resist my own endorsement.  See you Sunday!