A Cross Section of the Store (#280: 2024’10’30’W)

• In vivid, living color • [½ MIN READ] One theme of the weekly attendance picture is the different sections of the store. Although the section can vary, usually they’re more of a background than even a part of the picture, but every often the section takes front and center, at least relatively. Here’s one … More A Cross Section of the Store (#280: 2024’10’30’W)

Run Crew vs. Run Club (#279: 2024’10’23’W)

• For your consideration • [1 MIN READ] A Saturday SRC runner introduced me to Mario Fraioli, The Morning Shakeout podcaster. Rudder Bunny observed that one big thing of his is community in running. Well, hey, our Growlers Group Run thing is community in running! With one of his guests, he got into defining the … More Run Crew vs. Run Club (#279: 2024’10’23’W)

The Attendance Photo – Director’s Cut (#278: 2024’10’16’W)

• When the original doesn’t quite make it • [1½ MIN READ] While weekly attendance photos have become de rigueur, a photo theme isn’t necessarily as typical. This last week’s photo was exceptional. The panoramic shot felt in order, with the understanding that no one would move. Here’s what happened the last time, a few … More The Attendance Photo – Director’s Cut (#278: 2024’10’16’W)

Thinking About Group Ethnicity and Racial Make Up (#277: 2024’10’09’W)

• And talking about them • [2 MIN READ] As circumstances would have it, the make up of GGR has been shifting in the last months. I can claim no direct influence on that shift. I’m just an observer and commentator. In this case, I’m talking about a shift in the direction of Asian-ness that … More Thinking About Group Ethnicity and Racial Make Up (#277: 2024’10’09’W)

Marathon Training, Again? (#276: 2024’10’02’W)

• Why? Why not? • [1½ MIN READ] One of my standard questions to GGR club newbies is, “What’s your running like?” It’s just helpful to know where people are so that all of us club members can encourage each other. It helps to build the sense of community. Lately we’ve gotten a few newbies, … More Marathon Training, Again? (#276: 2024’10’02’W)

Whose Running Club Is This? (#275: 2024’09’25’W)

• Not mine • [2 MIN READ] The Growlers Group Run “belongs” to Jenkintown Running Company. The store opened in 1981 and hung out a shingle inviting runners to use it as a starting place for weekly workouts. I didn’t start running with the group until the year I started running, period, in 2011. Groups … More Whose Running Club Is This? (#275: 2024’09’25’W)

Jenkintown to Chinatown (#274: 2024’09’18’W)

• By running • [2 MIN READ] Long running has allowed me to do some serious exploration of various localities, including Philadelphia. Most of that running has been of the out-and-back and loop varieties. After all, you generally have to get back to where you started. However, point-to-point can also be an extremely practical type … More Jenkintown to Chinatown (#274: 2024’09’18’W)

Stereotypes Have Limitations (#273: 2024’09’11’W)

• How that works in one case as an Asian • [1½ MIN READ] A persistent stereotype about Asians is that they don’t make waves. As far as Philadelphia’s Chinatown community is concerned, the stereotype was correct. This means that the Gallery at Market East (now “Fashion District”) got built, curtailing growth to the south … More Stereotypes Have Limitations (#273: 2024’09’11’W)

A Drinking Group with an Exploring Problem (#272: 2024’09’04’W)

• Running at another level • [1 MIN READ] Among the Growlers, more than one has used the description of us as a drinking group with a running problem. Last week it was more like a drinking group with an exploring problem. A handful of us started from one of the Growler couples’ houses near … More A Drinking Group with an Exploring Problem (#272: 2024’09’04’W)