Beer, Running, and Becoming Local
Also featuring some Americana and Power Pop for your miles, as well as a bonus Running Buds!
By the summer of 2016, I had been living in Conshohocken, PA for a little less than two years. Conshohocken, a hilly blue-collar Philadelphia suburb located along a sharp crook of the Schuylkill River, is a great town that provides the best of both worlds – close to city but nestled among the suburbs. I had moved there because of a new job in 2014. I wasn’t alone, per se (I was lucky enough to have some family and friends in the area already), but I always seemed to have one foot in my old home with my old friends in NJ and one foot delicately placed in PA. I was still getting to know this town and its people, still figuring out my way around its steep hills and river trails. Just like it always is for me, it took me some time to find my niche.
In June of that year, I decided I wanted to be in a band again, something I hadn’t done seriously since 2011. Philadelphia is a vibrant music city, and I wanted in on some of the action. After scouring Craigslist for musically inclined comrades, I ended up connecting with another fellow transplant who arrived here from Long Island, and it didn’t take long for us to click. He was a killer drummer, hockey fan (albeit with a questionable Islanders loyalty), and we shared a similar taste in music… what more could you want? And while he was a cyclist and not a runner, we both bonded over conquering the roads and trails among us by foot and by wheel.
Despite having found myself a new musical distraction, I still felt like I needed to continue to establish more roots in this area. I longed to make more friends, but how the hell do you make friends as an adult? I didn’t work in an office, I wasn’t going to school, and joining one of those “find-a-friend” apps just seemed desperate and weird.
One night after band practice, I was starving and in need of a drink. I don’t know what made me do it, but I decided to head to the local brewery for a beer and some food: Conshohocken Brewing Company Tap Room on Elm St. I had never been there before. For two years after moving to Conshohocken, I must’ve run past this place a hundred times on the Schuylkill River Trail, but I was too timid to check it out for myself. The back deck always looked inviting, with its string lights and ivy climbing up the brick façade. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t go in at first. Maybe it was because the timing was always bad when I passed it: too early in my run to give up on the promise of exercise, and not near enough to the finish line to reward myself for my troubles. Maybe it was because I didn’t have anyone to go with. Either way, as a beer-drinker, the little deck and the garage doors always intrigued me. I had never seen a local brewery before. The town I grew up in only had one bar which was attached to a Mexican restaurant, and bars in the surrounding towns considered Yuengling to be craft beer.
So, on this particular night, I sat myself at the bar, and placed my order. The bartender, Scott, commented on the shirt I was wearing – a navy blue tee with “THE REPLACEMENTS” in gold lettering across the chest. “Great shirt,” he said. “Oh, you’re a fan?” I replied, skeptical that I may have bumped into a real life Replacement fan. They didn’t exactly run rampant where I came from. As it turns out, the dude was a musician himself who in a past life once went out on the town in Philly with Tommy Stinson, where they ate late-night cheesesteaks and I assume consumed a hefty amount of whiskey (if I had to guess, based on my own very brief encounter with Tommy a few years later, it was Makers). Scott then poured me a beer on the house, and we talked more about music, the local scene, and everything in between. I knew I would like this place.
At one point, I told him about my running endeavors on the trail behind the brewery and how I’d always been too intimidated to go in, and he told me about the “Conshy Run Club” that met there every Thursday night. The brewery was the group’s official headquarters, like Satriale’s for sweaty cyclists and runners.
I was intrigued. So, I did a little research, and sure enough, I found a Facebook page where a picture was posted every week of a group of smiling, beer swigging folks decked out in running gear fresh from a hot summer night’s run outside the brewery. Of course, my intimidation set in. Surely these guys must be elite runners or something, I thought. Do you need to run a certain time or pace to be in the group? I was curious, but nervous. So, one night I scoped it out and went to the brewery when I knew they’d be there to see what this group was all about from afar, like a little anthropologic study. I don’t really know what I was expecting, but I guess they passed the test because the next Thursday I thought I’d give it a try.
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“WELCOME TO CONSHY RUNNING!”
This is the announcement that greets you before every run, but on that first Thursday, I don’t remember hearing at thing.
I was nervous as hell. I didn’t know anybody, I wasn’t an “elite” runner, and I hadn’t run with a group of people since my week-long “career” as a high school cross country runner. And you’re telling me I was supposed to interact with these people? Even AFTER we’re all sweaty and disgusting from a late-summer run? It felt like I was just dropped off at summer camp, and I was beginning to question the whole endeavor. I should’ve stayed home and watched the Phillies instead.
As I ambled around outside behind the brewery among all the runners in various states of stretching and conversation, checking my phone as if I was waiting for an important email (and perhaps hoping for a phone call that would get me out of this thing), I noticed another runner looking just as apprehensive as me. Turns out, she was new too, and as we chatted and nervously laughed about what we were getting ourselves into, my anxiety about running with all these people sorta took a backseat. Like me, she wasn’t an elite runner. She wasn’t training for any sort of marathon. She was just new to the area, looking for something to do and people to meet.
It turns out, most of the runners there were in it for the comradery among the miles and not necessarily the pace time. They were just a bunch of beer enthusiasts with a running problem. The group’s motto was “all faces, all paces,” so even if you ran a 10-minute mile like me, you were always welcome. Even dogs were welcome to run with us! I was starting to believe in this thing after all. Who knew talking to people was a good way to find the information you’re looking for? Plus, the run itself along the trail was familiar, and you weren’t obligated to hold a conversation through every stride. You could run by yourself if you wanted to and save all that for later, which is pretty much what I did early on.
I don’t remember how long I ran that day, or what my pace was. I do remember feeling sort of accountable, as in there were people around me who weren’t running terribly fast so I could sorta keep up. Most of all, I remember feeling good, feeling happy. It kinda felt like I was part of a team, like I was getting a second chance after my week-long cross-country stint in high school.
So, I stuck with it. I kept going every Thursday. The runs were always good, and I noticed my pace was getting better. I was keeping up. Of course, the promise of beer at the finish line helped, but it was more than that. My fears were unfounded. These were good people willing to meet other good people who had nothing else in common other than the desire to move your feet a little faster for miles at a time. I made friends, who remain today some of the closest friends I have, including my fellow newbie from that first Thursday.
Finally, after a year and a half living in a new town, I belonged. I was a local! I felt more part of a community than I had in a long time. I was part of a team. I had never experienced something like this before. It felt good, and I even noticed myself becoming a better runner. Suddenly, I found myself running 5-plus miles per run for the first time, inspired by my fellow Conshy Runners and how easy they made it seem. If they could do it, why couldn’t I? We run in all weather – the next Thursday after my initiation was pouring rain, but I ran anyway (and discovered how much I love running in inclement weather). We run in snow, in the dark of winter, and the hottest of summers. It doesn’t matter. You do it because you love the feeling. Running will always be there for you, no matter the conditions, and the best part is, there will always be a beer and a friend waiting at the finish line.
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Running Buds Vol. 4: Shelby Foster
Musicians on running. Runners on Music.
In previous posts, we’ve been talking to musicians about running, which has been a lot of fun. It’s been enlightening to have conversations with these guys about something other than their music, which can admittedly be a bit jarring for both parties, but it’s been interesting to hear them talk in depth about running the same way they can parse the intricate details within their music. After all, running can be a very musical activity within itself.
But as the tagline goes, I also want to talk to runners (non-musicians) about music and running. So, in the spirit of this post, I want to highlight one of the runners I have met through the running club, Shelby Foster. Shelby is one of those people who every runner worth their salt should strive to be: a passionate runner who finds positivity in every mile, no matter what the conditions. She also happens to be one of Conshy Running Club’s greatest ambassadors. Shelby recently started a running Instagram, which you can follow here as she continues her journey to running yet another marathon in May. I asked her a little bit about running, why she runs, and her thoughts on the music she loves.
When did you start running?
SF: I'm 27, and I've been running since like junior high - sheesh like since I was maybe like 12 or 13? My mom is a runner, and I played soccer when I was young, but she was always trying to get me into running. I fell in a soccer game in 7th grade and broke my wrist, so then I couldn't play soccer any more that season, and I ran cross country with a cast on. After that, I never went back to soccer and just kept running cross country and track. I was a decent runner then but not good enough to run in college, and I didn't really have a big interest in running at that time anyway. Not like now anyway - some time in college I got much more into running because it felt good and stress relieving. Then I decided that I wanted to run a marathon, and then I was totally addicted. My mom and I ran our first marathon together in 2014, and now at 27 I've run 12 marathons.
Tell us a little bit about @shelbsfos_runs.
SF: My running Instagram, @shelbsfos_runs, is really just for fun. I like talking to other runners on there and seeing what other people have to say about running. And I wanted a place to just post whatever nonsense that I wanted about running without people on my personal page rolling their eyes about running content that they don't care about - I guess most people like pictures of dogs and vacations and selfies better!
What’s the furthest you’ve ever ran?
SF: I get that question a lot [laughs]. Last year during the pandemic I ran the virtual Boston Marathon on my 27th birthday just because the period that you were allowed to do the race included my birthday. I decided since I was turning 27, then I would run 27 miles instead of 26.2. But that's it for the birthday running of years of age! 27 miles is the furthest I've ran, and at the moment I don't have any desire to go further. I had some of my best friends run portions of the 27 miles with me, and it was a really special day.
What’s your favorite running memory?
SF: My favorite running memory is probably tied between that day and when I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2018 in some horrible cold and rainy weather. The race was epic bad conditions, but the comradery that day in Boston was so electric, and I'll never forget it.
Do you listen to music while you run?
SF: I don't usually listen to music while I run. I used to, but one summer I lived in an unfamiliar city for an internship, but I taught myself to run without music so that I could be more aware of my surroundings. These days, I like to pay attention to nature and stay in tune with my breathing and thoughts, so it's just easier without music. I also really enjoy running with friends, so I'll take a friendly chat over the headphones alone any day.
Occasionally, I'll put on a pump up playlist and use my Aftershokz headphones, which allow me to still hear a lot of what is going on around me, for a run if I'm needing some motivation.
What music have you been digging lately?
SF: My music taste is kind of all over the place, but I'd say it's pretty rooted in rock. Vampire Weekend is probably my favorite current band, but I'm also a huge John Mayer fan - I hear he is supposed to drop new music soon, so I am excited for that. During the pandemic I listened to a lot of older music that brought me comfort. I bought several Death Cab for Cutie albums on vinyl in 2020 because I was super into them again. I also love classic rock; I think that's another comfort thing to me to listen to things my parents like and that I heard growing up. I really like the Eagles, Queen, and the Beatles.
Any advice for new runners or people who might be interested in giving it a try?
SF: Advice for new runners would be to join a run club! I really think running is more fun with other people. A lot of people say, "how do you talk while running?" or "I just like running alone." I'd just encourage you to give it a shot - I bet you'll meet some cool people and change your mind. I'd also encourage people to start small with running and give it a chance before you decide you just don't like it. I think a lot of people try to bite off too much before they're ready with running - if you go out and run really fast and it hurts, of course you're going to think running sucks. You can run a little bit or a whole lot; there are no prescribed rules to being a runner.
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IT KEEPS YOU RUNNING: Music for Your Miles
Music and running go hand-in-hand. Here’s what you should be putting on your running playlist this week.
Since that first night I parked myself at the bar in Conshy Brewery, Scott and I have continued to bond over our love of music. Before the pandemic, we would spin records together at the brewery every Monday. I loved digging through his collection, which seemed to get more extensive every week. He’s one of the only people I can have extensive and nerdy chats about music, and over the years he’s turned me into an alt-country (Americana?) fan (i.e. Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson, The National Reserve), and I’ve been trying to get him to listen to The War on Drugs (still trying).
Scott’s also an avid songwriter. He might’ve been a Travelling Wilbury in another life. Before settling down at the Brewery, Scott was once a travelling musician, not only around the US but also as far as Europe. Not bad for a scrappy songwriter from NJ. While he doesn’t tour like that anymore, he continues to play locally from time to time, particularly at Dawson Street Pub in Manayunk. Indebted to heroes Jeff Tweedy, Tom Petty, and The Band, his music is catchy, a bit dusty, and warm. I don’t think he’s released much officially for a while, but you can find his stuff floating around Spotify and YouTube. I’ve been imploring him to release the demos he’s been working on over the past year or so. I’ve heard them, and even in their current skeletal state, they’re really good. I might need to implore a little harder.
One of the local musicians Scott turned me onto – and one of the first people we discussed while I was wearing my Replacements shirt – was Pete Donnelly. Pete has been playing music for about as long as I’ve been able to walk. His band The Figgs has built a strong cult following throughout the country over the years. I finally got to see them at Boot & Saddle (RIP) pre-pandemic, and it was eye-opening to see these guys who have been playing together for so long and still enjoy what they’re doing. It’s not easy to look comfortable on stage, but that night, Boot & Saddle might as well have been their living room.
Today, Pete lives in New York where he continues to produce music in his home studio as well as grow his already extensive solo discography. I had the pleasure of working with Pete for one of my band’s albums, and it was inspiring to work with him. He always found a way to bring out the best in us, urging us to try different things and play with different textures. I’m very proud of the record we made with him and I hope to do it again someday.
As a songwriter, Pete is an endless faucet of ideas. He has a knack for creating adventurous and witty power pop. Since his 2018 full-length Phases of the Moon (featuring the single “Dr. Richard,” a song that wouldn’t sound out of place on an Elvis Costello record), Pete has been steadily releasing one-off singles on his Bandcamp page. Most recent is the single “Played,” released this past February 5. Like a lot of his songs, “Played” feels both familiar and sophisticated. He just makes it sound so easy, and there’s even a bit of Hunky Dory era Bowie in there too. Because the guy practically lives in the studio (which, now that I think about it, is in his home so he really does live there), I’m sure this won’t be the last we hear from Pete Donnelly in 2021.
Nothing like a little Americana and Power Pop for your warm Springtime runs. Get these guys on your running playlists now!
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Be sure to follow the Running On Nothing Spotify Playlist here.