The holidays can be a frustrating time for runners. With shorter daylight hours and more commitments, fewer opportunities to get outside but plenty of food and drink, training suffers.

Rather than add more stress to the season, view Christmas running as a training pause, stress relief, an antidote to holiday hustle.

With your training schedule on pause, running can be more relaxed and casual, not just another thing to check off the list or a guilt-producing failure. You may find that, at least for this month, you can run less, but enjoy it more.

Rest and recovery. If you’ve run a major race (or races) this fall, you’ll benefit from a little downtime. Although you’ll lose a little speed within weeks of detraining, it takes considerably longer to lose base fitness, especially if you remain active.

Use this downtime to reconnect with family and friends, especially non-running ones. Choose a relaxing breakfast (with or without Santa) over an early morning meeting with training partners. Spend a Saturday decorating the Christmas tree without looking out the window at the dwindling daylight wistfully hoping for a way to top off your weekly mileage.

You don’t have to give up on running altogether for this season. There are ways to stay fit while having fun. And you can enter that favorite holiday 5k. Just remember to keep it casual and pressure free.

Tour the lights. Neighborhoods shimmer with Christmas light displays and a little snow adds to the magic. Invite friends for a nighttime fun run. Dress in holiday garb and don’t forget your own lights when running in the dark.

In town, add a little more merriment by including “aid stations” along the way at your favorite pubs. Be sure to include plenty of real water, food and a designated driver.

A photo scavenger hunt run can be fun for runners of all ages and abilities. Begin with a list of holiday symbols or locations. Those who complete their run with the most or best photos earn white elephant gifts contributed by participants.

Christmas is for kids. Kids seem to have an inexhaustible supply of energy, especially during the holiday season. Take a short run around the block or through the park to blow off a little steam and get the wiggles out before going to Aunt Jane’s for a sit-down dinner.

Be prepared — wear running shoes. Plan a running break into your shopping trip, even if means a loop around the mall parking lot. You’ll feel refreshed, more energetic and have more endurance for marathon shopping. Remember to lock valuables in the trunk of your car when you leave your vehicle unattended.

Don’t be discouraged if you can’t get in your weekend long run or daily five-miler. Even short jogs or walks are fitness boosters.

You won’t want to see The Christmas Story in June. Watch a holiday movie from the comfort of your treadmill or exercise bike.

If you can’t get out, get strong. Spread your exercise mat out among the wrapping paper for a few sets of lunges, squats and planks.

Don’t let only visions of sugar plums dance in your head. Sit by the fire and dream of a comeback for the New Year when you’re fresh and eager to run. Choose a spring fitness or race goal a few months away. Ease back into training, building both mileage and speed gradually.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Running Group Run, Cranberry Township. Run starts at store, all invited. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Jingle Dash 5k, Ellwood City. Starts at Riverside High School. Azmeanmom2@gmail.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Bigfoot 50k and 10 Miler, Lore City, OH. Ten mile event starts at 8:30 A.M. Runsignup/com

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Great Guernsey Trail 12 Days of Christmas, Lore City, OH. Christmas-themed run on Great Guernsey Trail with choice of 12k or 5k races and 5k Fun Run. 740-439-0200 or rgombeda@guernseycountycdc.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k Run/Walk, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club. Online registration at BigWhiteTrailer.com/register

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.: Frosty Frolic 5k, Canton, OH. Run through holiday light display from Garden Center. Finishers medals. www.runcanton.com/frosty-frolic

Sunday, 7 a.m.: Trot for Tots 5k & 10k, Oakdale. Out and back on Panhandle Trail. 412-490-0881 or events@lightspeed-racing.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Starts at Mercer Pike Trailhead of Ernst Trail. 724-992-9154 or michaelharry40@hotmail.com

Dec. 15, 9 a.m.: Green Beret Christmas Crawl, Morgantown, WV. Half marathon mostly on rail trail. 304-791-4040 or cleon372@gmail.com

Dec. 16, 9 a.m.: Reindeer 5k, Zelienople. Also kids 1 mile, ½ mile and ¼ mile starting at 10 A.M. bonnherb@yahoo.com

Dec. 16, 11 a.m.: Old Fashioned Christmas in Volant 5k and Kids Fun Run, Volant. Out and back course, finishers’ medals, gift wrapped presents to winners. Hollyford614@gmail.com

Dec. 31, 9 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k, Hermitage. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/ResolutionRun5Kwctc

Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester, Harmony. Also 1 Mile Fun Run at 4:15 p.m. Part of New Year celebration with post race music, fireworks. www.harmony-pa.us

Dec. 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through holiday lights at Lakemont Park, walk starts at 5 p.m. 814-695-4467 or www.hollidaysburgareaymca.org

Jan. 6, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Run through Prickett’s Fort State Park. 304-694-6042 or www.runtoread.org

Jan. 14, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Mile, North Park. Starts at North Park Lodge. 412-490-0881 or www.athlinks.com

Jan. 15, 10 a.m.: The Bushwhacker’s Nightmare Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 5k or 10k conducted by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

Race results

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Oct. 21 (additions to previous results): Jen Chomick, 1:56:33; Grace Mcswaney, 2:11:42; Lisa Morris, 2:15:13; Dara Eisler, 2:15:14; Marlee Manuel, 2:17:23; Kristin Charles, 2:32:55; Debra Kuminkoski, 2:39:09; Melanie Richter, 3:04:25; Mike Franusich, 3:10:11

Columbus Marathon, Oct. 15: Teklu Tefera Deneke, 1st Overall M, 2:20:52; Susan Jerotich, 1st Overall W, 2:37:57; Gary Bell, 2nd 70-74 M, 4:08:48; Leslie Kramer, 3:55:26; Christie Beaver, 4:10:31; Jeff Lynn, 4:15:16; Janine Marcoux, 4:32:42; Olivia Drohan, 4:37:34; Caroline Huber, 4:38:18; Eric Fencil, 4:41:26; Melinda McDonough, 4:54:01; Kevin Kandra, 4:57:34; Matt Drohan, 5:07:40; Michael Jacobs, 5:08:20;

Columbus Half Marathon, Oct. 15: Macdonald Ondara, 1st Overall M, 1:04:01; Sophy Jepchirchir, 1st Overall W, 1:14:00; Robin Springirth, 1:40:51; Philip Springirth, 1:47:13; Tanya Rings, 1:47:57; James Hardt, 1:52:57; Eliza Drohan, 1:53:26; Justin Stadelmyer, 1:53:56; Eliza Gordon, 1:55:43; Gabriel Gordon, 1:55:46; Kristen Petrina, 2:01:43; Evan Lowe, 2:02:28; Catherine Siegfried, 2:09:05; Dara Bailey, 2:10:48; Sherry Kleindl, 2:10:48; Erica Salizzoni, 2:10:54; Ashley Duespohl, 2:16:08; Tom Meling, 2:23:33; Laura Santoro, 2:26:16; Jenna Santoro, 2:26:17; Daniel Lorigan, 2:33:10; Andrea Judson, 2:40:18; Cassondra Charney, 2:41:36; Amanda Hardt, 2:43:47; Susan Hardt, 2:43:47; Janae Layhue, 2:44:40; Jennifer Phillips, 2:44:40; Emily Troyan, 2:55:09; Diane Glave, 3:50:20; Nancy Petshot, 3:56:06; Terry Rockwell, 3:56:07;

Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Run, Nov. 4: Dalton Kalbaugh, 1st Overall M, 31:55; Paul Stugart, 3rd Overall M, 38:24 Jenny Murtha, 1st Overall W, 41:45; Courtney Burgess, 2nd Overall W, 42:18; Kate Hrach, 2nd Masters W, 45:03; Rich Durbin, 1st 40-49 M, 40:15; Will Drexler, 2nd 40-49 M, 41:05; Mark Casteel, 3rd 40-49 M, 41:11; Janele Archibald, 1st 18-29 W, 45:50; Megan Nash, 3rd 30-39 W, 47:48; Dan Tack, 3rd 50-59 M, 48:37; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60+ W, 52:17; Mary Morgan, 1st 50-59 W, 57:32; Matthew Sudak, 39:00; John Evankovich, 41:17; Hugh McKeegan, 43:22; Chris Smith, 44:18; Patrick Dawe, 45:36; Jeff Smith, 45:58; Chrissy Hayes, 48:30; Larry Davids, 49:38; Jesse Steffl, 50:58; Donald Wallace, 53:28; Sarah Gross, 56:32; David Lockerman, 1:01:46; Jessica Drayer, 1:10:11; Frank Piedimonte, 1:40:03; John Edleman, 1:40:03

Operation Troop Appreciation 5k, Nov. 5: Dan Carlino, 1st Overall M, 17:35; Zach Case, 2nd Overall M, 17:50; Matt Gust, 3rd Overall M, 17:51; Katherine Fedko, 1st Overall W, 20:23; Stacey Sahr-Herman, 2nd Overall W, 21:28; Martin Herman, 1st Masters M, 19:36; Connor Weiss, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:08; Herb Cratty, 1st 50-54 M, 20:49; Kyle Hoehler, 3rd 15-19 M, 21:13; Brent Collins, 1st 55-59 M, 22:29; Aidan Herman, 2nd 11-14 M, 22:33; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 23:05; Jeremy Pott, 2nd 40-44 M, 23:12; Michael Korch, 3rd 40-44 M, 23:30; Eion Mckernan, 3rd 11-14 M, 24:14; David Hughes, 1st 60-64 M, 25:37; Scott Berger, 2nd 55-59 M, 25:46; Tori Kochick, 1st 25-29 W, 26:53; Corinne Petrus, 1st 35-39 W, 27:02; Christi Szalanski, 1st 45-49 W, 27:03; Shawna Rau, 1st 40-44 W, 27:21; Mike Boyd, 2nd 30-34 M, 27:22; Mike Bauer, 3rd 30-34 M, 27:49; Kevin Cass, 1st 35-39 M, 27:54; Laura Rau, 1st 50-54 W, 28:17; Bill Matthews, 2nd 65+ M, 28:59; Peter Johnson, 1st 45-49 M, 29:15; Stephen Shadle, 2nd 45-49 M, 30:42; Heather Bonner, 3rd 35-39 W, 31:07; Rita Baranwal, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:13; Stephanie Moran, 2nd 30-34 W, 31:35; Eddie Marinzel, 3rd 65+ M, 32:34; Molly Molingowski, 1st 15-19 W, 32:59; Owen Mckernan, 2nd 10 & Under M, 34:37; Judy Fritsch, 1st 65+ W, 45:10; Paul Shadle, 25:02; Jacob Bonnar, 25:05; Sanjay Johnson, 28:30; Sam Shadle, 30:43; Karl Meer, 31:05; Sandra Ung, 32:01; Owen Anderson, 32:19; Carter Anderson, 32:27; Megan Korch, 33:27; Debra Kuminkoski, 34:04; Carolyn Molingowski, 34:49; Justin Pott, 36:18; Cindy Shadle, 36:39; Kim Dawson, 41:13; Susan Gillette-Meer, 47:19; Margaret Everly, 47:20; Amanda Burns, 56:44; Noreen Marusic, 57:40; Jessica Sheldon, 57:40

Buffalo Township 5k, Nov. 11: John Sofko, 1st Overall M, 21:40; Amy Sieczkowski, 1st Overall W, 21:49; Travis Domhoff, 3rd Overall M, 24:31; Carolyn Sofko, 2nd Overall W, 25:39; Amanda Morris, 3rd Overall W, 26:03; Bode Fair, 1st 14 & Under M, 24:32; Rachel Faas, 1st 20-29 W, 27:34; Laney Pastoria, 1st 30-39 W, 27:40; Kelly Pastoria, 1st 50-59 W, 29:48; Criselda Dean, 1st 40-49 W, 29:54; Rachel Kelley, 3rd 20-29 W, 31:50; Heidi Fleming, 2nd 40-49 W, 31:59; Jennifer Kapp, 3rd 40-49 W, 34:45; Debra Kuminkowski, 3rd 50-59 W, 35:59; Renee Lubik, 2nd 30-39 W, Donna Breckbichler, 1st 60-69 W, 49:13; Betty Pletcher, 1st 70+ W, 49:51; Sally Pletcher, 2nd 70+ W, 54:09; Ben Pletcher, 1st 70+ M, 54:12; Allysa Walker, 35:49

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle