It's a strange new world. My calendar listing for this week is a litany of cancellations and postponements. And race results have dwindled to a few.

I understand. My job in explaining, informing and encouraging a recreational pursuit is superfluous in these serious times. And I in no way wish to minimize the sacrifice and stress of those who face life threatening conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Still, as a dedicated runner, I understand the emotional pain of missing out on a goal, maybe a lifelong one, when a race is canceled. A loss is a loss, even when it's only yours. Processing that loss entails a period of grieving as detailed by David Kessler, co-author of On Grief and Grieving.

Denial. It was an innocent enough conversation, or so I thought. In mid-February (a lifetime ago), I was sharing post-run pasta with a friend who's run the Boston Marathon for the past dozen or so years and peaks annually for that race. “Do you think they'll have to postpone the marathon?” I asked.

Color drained from his face and his jaw dropped. Clearly he hadn't considered the possibility. Then, apparently unable to process the prospect of having trained and sacrificed for months toward an unreachable goal, he forced a smile and said, “I don't think so. This will be over by then.”

As explained by David Kessler, denial and shock help us survive a major life loss, whether a death, job loss, end of a relationship or loss of an important part of our lives. We go numb as all seems meaningless and overwhelming.

After a time, the reality of the loss sets in and we can begin to face our life situation. That's what happened with my marathon friend. A few weeks later, following the official announcement of Boston Marathon's cancellation, he had accepted the fact that this Patriot's Day would be different for him and many others.

Anger. Once you've passed the stage of numbing denial, emotions flood in. That can include intense anger. When my daughter was about seven years old, anytime she suffered an injury, she wailed, “Why did this happen to me? Why didn't it happen to Zack?”

Thankfully, she's outgrown that selfishness. Her little brother became her best friend. But I recognize those selfish thoughts in myself during this crisis --- “It's not fair! Why is this happening to me?!”

It's OK to express anger, even to an impersonal virus or an unfair universe. As expressed on Grief.com, “The anger is just another indication of the intensity of your love.”

Bargaining. Loss is painful. Bargaining is an attempt to avoid facing the pain of loss. As spring race cancellations mounted, my running groups' conversations increasingly began with if only, what if or can we. “If only I had signed up for that fall race instead of waiting for spring,” or “What if we mark a trail and people can run together or alone?” or “Can we keep doing our speed work at the track while it's closed?”

Depression. Once we admit that no amount of bargaining will change the fact of our loss, we're left to face the emptiness. For those who rely on the support of social running for emotional support, this is especially difficult.

And non-runners may not appreciate the depth of feelings. Even though many people are suffering stresses, hardships and harms much greater than the loss of a selfish running goal, it's a loss nonetheless. No apology necessary.

Acceptance. There's no timetable for grieving a loss. But ultimately, we'll come to accept that something we valued is gone, never to return. At that point, we can assess our situation based on the new reality and create a plan to move forward.

Some of us will choose to close this chapter by running a virtual event. Others will take a step off the training track to pursue other interests. And most of my running friends will anticipate a brighter future than that which we face in the near term and confidently sign up for another event.

Now until April 30: Social Distance Virtual 5k, Anywhere. Sign up, run a 5k distance anywhere, email results to info@wolfcreektrackclub.com by April 30, receive medal. runsignup.com/Race/XX/AllofHumanity/SocialDistanceVirtual5KMarch 28, 8 a.m.: Blair Candy Company Race of Champions 5 Mile Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Altoona. Cancelled.March 28, 8:30 a.m.: 20th Annual Sean T. Smith Memorial - Just a Short Run 30k, 8.1 miles, half marathon and 5k, Allison Park. All distances now virtual events. www.athlinks.com/event/20th-annual-sean-t-smith-memorial-just-a-short-run-22464March 28, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Run 13.1 or 5k. Cancelled.March 28, 11 a.m.: Share the Love 5k and 10k, Brookville. Postponed. Future date to be determined.April 4, 10 a.m.: Easter Egg Dash 5k and Bunny Hop 1 Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Butler. Postponed to a later date to be determined.April 4, 10 a.m.: Fool's Run 5k and 10k, Indiana. Cancelled.April 4, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon & 5k, Cooksburg. Cancelled. All preregistered will be deferred until next year's event on April 3, 2021.April 11, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg Postponed. Future date sometime in June to be determined.April 18, 9 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k, Elizabeth Township. Run from Boston Trailhead of Yough River Trail on Great Allegheny Passage. 412-780-7802 or thebostontrail.comApril 19, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Run on paved bike path at Moraine State Park. Postponed to August 23. 724-841-6528 or Runsignup.comApril 25, 9 a.m.: Flying Pigs 5k, Grove City. Cancelled.April 26, 11 a.m.: Sunday Run Days, Springdale. Run a mile or 5k, drink a beer at Leaning Cask Brewery. 724-715-7539April 29, 7 p.m.: Sunset Sprint 5k, Grove City. Cancelled.May 3, 7 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon, Pittsburgh. Cancelled. All registered may choose to run a virtual race or receive a refund. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

Spring Break 8.5 (Prep4Pitt), February 29: Ty Reeher, 1st Overall M, 54:20; Christina Stanhope, 1st Overall W, 1:10:54; S Mark Courtney, 1st 60+ M, 1:10:43; Debbie Courtney, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:20:56; Bonnie Burchfield, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:30:26; Tony Sunseri, 3rd 60+ M, 2:09:45; John Armstrong, 1:19:32; Traci Hanna, 1:21:49; Robert Burchfield, 1:30:26; Erin Kohlmeyer, 1:41:40Shamrock 'n' Run, 10k, March 7: Ron Liscio, Jr, 1st Overall M, 40:58; Gianna Guerino, 1st Overall W, 42:29; David Suber, 1st 60-64 M, 50:19; Corey Savannah, 1st 30-34 M, 52:21; Robert Cunningham, 1st 35-39 M, 55:16; Cindy Suber, 1st 60-64 W, 57:08; Matt Nocera, 3rd 35-39 M, 58:51; Bonnie Burchfield, 3rd 35-39 W, 59:13; Nathaniel Nuss, 2nd 30-34 M, 1:06:25; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 1:07:37; John Shawgo, 3rd 45-49 M, 1:15:11; Renae Shawgo, 1:15:11Shamrock 'n' Run, 5k, March 7: Wayne Mittwede, 1st Overall M, 20:00; Jenna Blauser, 1st Overall W, 22:40; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 23:19; Emmaleah Davis, 1st 10-14 W, 27:20; Doug Decker, 3rd 35-39 M, 31:24; Lisa Jamison, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:30; Bill Barger, 3rd 60-64 M, 32:07; Samantha Thompson, 3rd 35-39 W, 36:10; Mark Longietti, 1st 55-59 M, 50:39; Laurie Dwyer, 34:54; Ashlee Montgomery, 35:06; Cecil Blauser, 39:30; Debbie Jamison, 41:01Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle