It's late November. Major races are over. Goals have been met or shelved for next season. It's time to relax and have fun with running before we're locked in the annual deep freeze of winter.

After a hard training season it's good to take a break both mentally and physically. Put away the watch and your dignity and join in the festivity and silliness of a seasonal costume race. This Saturday at 5:50 P.M., you'll have thousands cheering for your Christmas elf or Santa suit at Kraynak's Merry Christmas Mile in Hermitage. Don't be late, as the Light Up Night Parade follows in your steps.

Training and racing can be a selfish endeavor. Thank your family for their support by running or walking with them in one of the many Thanksgiving Day events. Some, such as Seneca Valley Cross Country Turkey Chase 5k or Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5k also host 1 mile fun runs. It's best to check with race organizers if you plan to bring a jogging stroller or your dog.

Create your own family fun run or walk. Share your favorite short and easy loop around your neighborhood or visit a nearby park. Finish with a stop at the playground — and don't forget the post-run hot chocolate and cookies.

One of my favorite holiday runs was the Run through the Lights in Hartwood Acres. The event is no longer held, but you can enjoy a tour of the season at Fleet Feet Holiday Lights Run in Pittsburgh on December 19 or the annual Twilight 5k and 2 Mile run/walk through Lakemont Amusement Park in Altoona on New Year's Eve. Or avoid the crowds. Run around town with friends to check out the holiday displays. Remember to deck yourself in lights anytime you run at night.

I love the sights, sounds and smells of running (or hiking) in the woods this time of year. It's been proven that nature is good for the body and the soul and a great antidote to the regimen of training and racing. If you are new to trail running, start with a paved route such as the loop trail in Adams Township Community Park. Crushed limestone rail trails like our own Butler-Freeport Trail are scenic, gentle and safe.

More rugged trails such as the mountain bike routes in Alameda Park or hiking trails at Moraine State Park offer recovery from the pounding and monotony of road running along with strength and agility exercise. Enjoy the scenery and don't worry about your pace.

Fallen leaves can hide ankle-twisting rocks or roots and wet leaves can be slick, especially on hilly trails. Step lightly, arms up for balance. Try to scan the trail ahead for approaching obstacles.

There are no rules. Walk if you need to on technical trail or extreme ups or downhills. And rather than take your eyes off the trail, stop to investigate that unusual rustling sound in the tree overhead or to inhale the earthy scent of geosmin wafting from a nearby stream.

It's tick season — almost year round. Ticks are most active in the spring and fall through November. Ticks are dormant in winter but anytime the temperature rises above 32 degrees, they will be active.

After your run, be sure to do a total body tick scan. Look closely since young ticks can be smaller than a poppy seed. Send all clothing to the dryer on medium/high heat for 30 minutes to kill any clinging ticks before tossing them in the clothes hamper.

Dress in bright colors, not just for the festive season. Check to see if your favorite running park or trail allows hunting. And remember, the first day of deer hunting with rifles starts on the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year.

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Oil City. Start and finish on Samuel Justus Trail. 814-677-3000 or ocywellness@oilcityymca.netSaturday, 5:50 p.m.: Kraynaks Merry Christmas Mile, Hermitage. Dress as your favorite Christmas characters, run prior to light up parade. Barrymclaughlin51@gmail.com or online registration at www.runsignup.comSunday, 8:45 a.m.: Greenway Trail Grin & Bear It Half Marathon/10k/5k, Leetonia, OH. runsignup.com/Race/Events/OH/Leetonia/GREENWAYTRAILGRINBEARITHALFMARATHON10K5KNovember 28, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Cross Country Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run in Graham Park, also 1 Mile Kids Fun Run at 10 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrotNovember 28, 9 a.m.: Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Ebensburg. No day of event registration. 814-472-2200 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ebensburg/EbensburgTurkeyTrotNovember 28, 9 a.m.: 20th Annual Gobbler's Gallop 10k, Ellwood City. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.comNovember 28, 9 a.m.: Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Support Grove City Community Food Bank. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5kNovember 28, 9 a.m.: Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5k, Apollo. Also 1 mile fun walk at 9:05 A.M. prusia@comcast.net or kvturkeytrot.wordpress.comNovember 28, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble, Hermitage. gobblewobble.wordpress.comNovember 28, 10:15 a.m.: 20th Annual Gobbler's Gallop 5k, Ellwood City. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.comNovember 29, 1 p.m.: OptOutside Kids Trail Run, Hampton Township. Free family-friendly fun run/hike on Rachel Carson Trail in Hampton Community Park. 412-298-8037November 30, 10 a.m.: WALKer Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. Starts at Fireman's Beach, awards for walkers and runners. 814-573-8724 or lauriekurt@gmail.comDecember 7, 9 a.m.: Oil City's Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. 814-564-9102 or rebekah@morrisonhome.comDecember 7, 10 a.m.: It's A Wonderful 5k, Indiana. Run around lake at Blue Spruce State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/ItsAWonderful5KDecember 8, 11 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. 724-992-9154 or michaelharry40@hotmail.comDecember 14, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run, Pittsburgh. Choice of 5k or 1 Mile race, 5k, untimed 5k or kids 100 yard dash at 9:30 A.M. 412-219-7988 or lglace@arthritis.orgDecember 14, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Benefit for Northwest PA ALS Association starts at Rotary Pavilion on Presque Isle. Commemorative glassware to preregistered participants. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/Snowflake5kDecember 19, 5 p.m.: Fleet Feet Holiday Lights Run & Charity Raffle, Pittsburgh. New location starting at Nova Place on North Shore. 412-851-9100 or www.fleetfeet.com/s/pittsburgh/events-2/fleet-feet-holiday-lights-runDecember 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Also 1 Mile Fun Run at 4:15 P.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/Silvester or saltemus@zoominternet.netDecember 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through holiday light display at Lakemont Park. www.blairregionalymca.org

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, October 19: Kenny Goodfellow, 1st Overall M, 1:09:25; Erika Suhy, 1st Overall W, 1:22:21; Hayley Davis, 3rd Overall W, 1:25:11; Tammy Slusser, 1st Masters W, 1:28:45; Turner Johnson, 1st 30-34 M, 1:18:49; Josh Flanhofer, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:23:17; Jack Kelley, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:24:56; Jason Sittler, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:25:06; Noah Bowser, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:25:26; Matthew Sudak, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:25:46; Gage Eckley, 2nd 19 & Under M, 1:27:04; Olivia Murphy, 2nd 25-29 W, 1:29:05; Megan Miller, 1st 35-39 W, 1:30:32; Melissa Conjack, 3rd 30-34 W, 1:30:42; Michael Brown, 1st 65-69 M, 1:33:24; Dianne Zalenski, 1st 45-49 W, 1:36:29; Christopher Mager, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:37:55; Cathy McManus, 1st 50-54 W, 1:38:29; Micci Hutterer, 1st 60-64 W, 1:39:01; Ginny Sackett, 1st 55-59 W, 1:40:15; Karl Johnson, 1st 60-64 M, 1:45:47; Lori Piedimonte, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:49:17; LuAnn Holt, 3rd 55-59 W, 1:49:19; Lauren Hoffman, 2nd 19 & Under W, 2:08:57; Patricia Wyant, 2nd 70+ W, 2:18:42; Kaitlyn Crawford, 3rd 19 & Under W, 2:34:37; Patricia Neubert, 3rd 65-69 W, 3:06:32; Mike Fagan, 1:26:56; Timothy Wyant, 1:30:12; Jarrett Orzechowski, 1:31:32; Ryan Syes, 1:32:00; Brandon Bodily, 1:32:06; Mike Shaffer, 1:32:37; Talan Conjack, 1:33:38; Calum Munro, 1:33:44; Nathan Mischler, 1:35:40; Meredith Heusey, 1:35:56; Julianna Watenpool, 1:36:06; Dustin Kalkbrenner, 1:36:43; Adam Lehman, 1:36:47; Brian Lasko, 1:37:06; Steve Vargo, 1:37:53; Austin Carter, 1:38:32; Brian Welsh, 1:38:37; Stephen Hepler, 1:39:00; Jonathan Wiley, 1:40:23; Richard Gold, 1:40:29; Jon Haverstick, 1:40:42; Doug Donatelli, 1:41:03; Lars Kuehn, 1:41:16; Kevin Coondon, 1:41:48; Katie Helbling, 1:41:55; Robyn McGowan, 1:42:41; Karastin Henley, 1:42:50; Amy Gallagher, 1:42:58; Nathan Kostelnik, 1:43:00; Greg Huth, 1:43:02; Collen Cassidy, 1:43:14; Jim Csonka, 1:43:21; Amanda Temple, 1:43:22; Edward Johnson, 1:43:27; Catherine Hrach, 1:43:59; John Crum, 1:44:14; Luke Eckley, 1:44:14; Wenwu Shi, 1:44:30; Connie Hoffer, 1:44:32; Thomas Karenbauer, 1:45:01; Sarah Rehm, 1:45:21; Erik Bodily, 1:45:46; Brian Kalmar, 1:45:56; Amanda Fleming, 1:46:06; Timothy Miller, 1:46:30; Justin Burke, 1:46:55; Nino Albanese, 1:46:59; Rick McKain, 1:47:05; Nick Barker, 1:47:29; Lori Malazich, 1:47:37; Daniel Nolan, 1:48:15; Ashley Yaklich, 1:48:18; Heidi Webb, 1:48:23; Jinny Hertweck, 1:48:42; Rachel Kress, 1:48:44; Meredith Gustafsson, 1:49:07; Michael Zucatti, 1:49:08; David Fugate, 1:49:23; Deb Fugate, 1:49:23; Lauren Wilson, 1:49:25; Kevin Hixon, 1:49:26; Susan DiCello, 1:49:27; Susan McKelvey, 1:49:37; Patrick Reitz, 1:49:57; Lauren Corl, 1:50:29; Steven Corl, 1:50:31; Rebecca Gellner, 1:50:36; Cliff Wilcox, 1:50:37; Coleen Whalen, 1:50:48; Gregory Reed, 1:50:55; John McKivigan, 1:51:24; Joe Farrell, 1:51:33; Marty Reed, 1:51:43; Andra Titus, 1:51:48; Scott Meiser, 1:51:52; Bradley Regis, 1:52:05; Nicole Prioletti, 1:52:14; Beth Bereksazi, 1:52:53; Emily Wittlinger, 1:53:15; Aimee Miller, 1:53:21; Conor Horgan, 1:53:23; John Carpenzano, 1:53:41; Amy Brown, 1:53:43; Caroline Stone, 1:53:56; Ben Craven, 1:54:15; Samson Wyant, 1:54:17; Caleb Rauscher, 1:54:49; Eric Hughes, 1:54:50; James Beck, 1:54:57; Andrew Dulak, 1:55:35; Tim Sharek, 1:55:36; Robyn VanDyke, 1:55:44; Alex Yergiyev, 1:56:03; Tony DiCello, 1:56:04; Andrew DiNardo, 1:56:06; Carrie Greenlaw, 1:56:45; Kimberly Bonnett, 1:57:04; Julie Petrush, 1:57:06; Julie Thornton, 1:57:14; Andrew Menchyk, 1:57:26; Lori Griffith, 1:58:02; Laney Pastoria, 1:58:40; Angela Lesinski, 1:57:57; Jim Slowane, 1:58:04; Karyn Senita, 1:58:22; Harold Dunn, 1:58:33; Bill Swanik, 1:59:22; Wendy DeHainaut, 1:59:33; Andrew Karns, 1:59:55Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle