Labor Day Weekend Recap

You GUYS.

How was your holiday weekend?  Mine was awesome!

On Saturday I managed to do absolutely nothing since Yoga In The Square was cancelled because of the rain.  I got caught up in a Lord of the Rings marathon (with commercials, that’s a pretty big investment) and drunkenly live tweeted all the gay moments.  You’re welcome.

Sunday was a bit more productive, once I slept through the worst part of my hangover I mean.  My friend had an extra Pirates ticket for that day and luckily the rain held out for the entire game!  The Reds ended up getting an unanswered home run in the last inning and winning the game.  Boooooo!  It was a pretty good game and the weather was sort of perfect end-of-summer baseball watching weather.

On Sunday evening, I finally had dog jog orientation at the Animal Rescue League!!  We learned about the program and went through some behavioral lessons about dog body language, etc.  When we did a walk through of the kennels, my heart was basically exploding the entire time.  The first few times you run with the dogs, you are paired up with someone just to make sure you are okay handling them and are comfortable with procedures.  I wanted to sign up for my first session like ASAP but of course Monday was Labor Day.

The woman who ran the orientation was available Tuesday (today) morning, so I jumped at the chance!  I hardly slept at all last night and arrived like 20 minutes early because I’m insane and now I’m obsessed with dog jog.

How could you not want to take that face for a run?!

I actually didn’t run with her because she wasn’t cleared for dog jog today but, I had snapped this picture during orientation.  I ran with Panda and Bonnie this morning, both of whom where just angels.  More on this to come – ready or not!

PS – I did absolutely nothing on Labor Day because I pinched a nerve or something at the Pirates game and it was acting wonky all day.  I tried to rest and hydrate all day!

Friday Five: 5 Things To Do In Pittsburgh This Month!

This week’s Friday Five linkup (an awesome weekly event hosted by Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC, Mar @ Mar On The Run, and Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What!) is themed:  Free Friday, which means we are all writing about whatever we want!  Open-ended topics are so difficult for me because I usually have about a thousand things on my mind minute to minute.  How am I supposed to narrow things down into 5 coherent tidbits?!!  After a lot of thought, I’ve decided to share 5 things I’m looking forward to throughout the rest of August.  This link-up is about to get link-heavy so get ready!!  🙂

1.  Yoga In The Square – Yoga has been extended through August!  Hooray!!!  This is seriously one of the coolest programs I’ve been involved in – free yoga offered in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh at Market Square.  I hope they find other interesting ways to offer free yoga (I know of another program in Highland Park on Sundays, but I’ve never been!) because I will support it every single week!  I love that there is a different instructor each week, because as a new practitioner it’s nice to see the different teaching styles.  I’ve all ready got a favorite and I will be searching her out at her home studio.

2.  Little Italy Days – August 21-23, 2014 – I don’t know if it’s the inner fat kid in me or the New Castle native, but I look forward to Little Italy Days all summer.  Give me all of the meatballs, all of the Italian flags, all of the cannolis, and bring your bocci balls while you’re at it!

3.  Savor Pittsburgh – August 21, 2014 – This elegant, end-of-summer fundraiser is worth the hefty price tag!  This exciting food competition and showcase, which will be held at Stage AE for the first time, includes an evening of bites, brews, and dancing shoes catered by Pittsburgh’s top chefs!  The event itself raises money for Magee Women’s’ Hospital, but it also gives prominent chefs the opportunity to bring their culinary A-game as they compete for “Dish Of The Year.”  You don’t want to miss it!

4.  DOG JOG!!!!  – Orientation August 31st, 2014 – I heard about this program through one of the current Animal Rescue League volunteers (my friend Cassie), and knew I had to get involved!  I’ve talked about the dog jog program before over here, but orientation is right around the corner.  I hope you are all looking forward to lots of pictures and stories because I am seriously bouncing up and down excited to spend time with those pups!

5.  Bikefest – August 8-24th, 2014 – The entire month of August is dedicated to biking events, thanks to Bike Pittsburgh.  I highly suggest checking out the schedule – there are so many cool free things coming up like group rides, educational tours, and speaker series on things like the future of downtown’s bike infrastructure.  Also, don’t forget to sign up for Pedal Pittsburgh on August 24th!

BONUS:  Sept. 1st – Doggy Dip @ The Dormont Pool!  I’m including this in August because the early-bird tickets end August 29th.  This is one of my favorite things about the end of summer!  Before they close the Dormont Pool, they host a giant dog pool party!  Tickets are $25 (early-bird) or $35 at the door. Make sure you check the schedule because there are different sessions depending on what you want (small dogs only, large dogs only, or open to all).  All proceeds benefit the Western PA Humane Society.

 

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I hope you enjoyed this Friday Five linkup, I had fun writing it and I can’t wait to participate in more of them!!