The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is the traditional time to reflect, as well as to order garden seeds.

With no school and with freezing temperatures prevalent in the area, I've had plenty of time for both.

It's easy, when looking back, to dwell on last year's unfinished business, those things still on our to-do list or life list.

In running, it could mean the injury that kept you sidelined, the marathon application waiting in the desk drawer, or the size 5 dress you wanted to fit into hanging in the closet with the tag still on it.

Most of those things can roll over to 2005. And unless that marathon application is for Pittsburgh, you can look forward to taking care of business in the new year.

I'd much rather look back to what I've accomplished over the past 12 months and re-live the glory one more time before packing away the memories.

As I look back on through 2004, I find that most of my best memories were made through a combination of planning and serendipity, skill and luck. Most were a matter of being in the right place at the right time and keeping my feet moving and my eyes open.

One of the highlights of 2004 was getting to race in a different state.

Nursing a cough and dehydrated by a week in Arizona's dry air, I managed a second-place finish at a Phoenix 5K. This effort was the result of a careful internet search and the luck of having a hockey-playing son.

Unfortunately for my running, this year's national championship will be contested in Harmarville.

Another highlight of the year was earning an age-group award at the Adams Ridge 5K. Awards in this event are more than the usual generic trophies or medals. Students from Adams Elementary School illustrate each award with a running scene and each is an artistic treasure.

I was surprised to note that in 2004 I earned more overall awards than in any other previous year. It proves my theory that winning is sometimes more a matter of who doesn't show up than it is skill and training.

And with the plethora of races on any given summer weekend, it's easy to spread the competition thin.

In 2004, it seems that I met more runners than in previous years --- and not only at races. I met running students and teachers, running photographers, running shoppers, running beer connoisseurs, running hunters and running professional runners.

Times and awards never came up, but running often was the subject or backdrop in conversation.

I learned some local running history this year at the Butler County Community College cross country race. I enjoyed running with and talking to some of the legends of the local running scene about the late, great BC3 cross country team and the college running scene of the 1970s.

I didn't run an official marathon in 2004, but I did run farther in one day than ever before. My big run of almost 30 miles on Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail stretched the limits of my endurance. Hopefully, Lottie, Mom and I can return to the trail in 2005 to add to our megamileage.

As I look back on the day, it was as much a journey of the soul as of the feet.

That's the beauty of running. A year stretches out before us like a trail. We know where it leads day by day or mile by mile. The adventure is in what happens along the way.

With memories of 2004 tucked away for safe keeping, I'll hit the road once again. There's a new adventure that begins Jan. 1 and winds its way to Dec. 31.

I don't know what or who I'll find running along with me.

Friday, 5 p.m.: Twilight Run, Altoona. Choice of 5 miles, 5K, 2.4 miles or 1.2 miles through Lakemont Park. 814-695-5748Friday, 6:30 p.m.: Resolution 5K Run, State College. 814-863-0014 or www.nyrun.comFriday: Wolverine New Year's Eve 5K Run, Turtle Creek. 412-731-0889

Let's Get Dirty 5K, Nov. 13:Kevin Doyle, 1st Overall M, 19:12; Chris Geddis, 2nd Overall M, 20:00; Ed Koontz, 3rd Overall M, 20:24; Candice Lockard, 1st Overall W, 24:57; Shayna Weir, 2nd Overall W, 25:05; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 25:13; David Hutton, 1st 25-29 M, 20:41; Jeff Nelson, 1st 40-44 M, 20:48; Joe Covell, 1st 20-24 M, 21:04; Michael Montswil, 2nd 40-44 M, 21:16; Steve Curcio, 2nd 20-24 M, 21:26; Allen Mayernik, 3rd 20-24 M, 21:35; Tim Miller, 2nd 25-29 M, 21:40John Evankovich, 1st 16-19 M, 22:30; Paul Thompson, 2nd 16-19 M, 22:45; Mark Bacco, 3rd 25-29 M, 23:34; Adam Stubert, 1st 15 and under M, 23:43; Sean Brady, 2nd 35-39 M, 23:47; Mike Faix, 3rd 16-19 M, 23:51; Teddy Anderson, 2nd 15 and under M, 24:00; Michael Sandrock, 3rd 40-44 M, 24:12; Roger Hackett, 3rd 15 and under M, 24:31; John Antonelli, 3rd 35-39 M, 24:46Dan Murdock, 1st 30-34 M, 25:18; Laura Taucher, 1st 25-29 W, 25:29; Heather Eckart, 1st 20-24 W, 26:29; Jo Rupp, 1st 30-34 W, 26:31; Paul Stewart, 2nd 30-34 M, 26:35; Melissa McKellar, 2nd 15 and under W, 26:50; Chelsea Hoffman, 1st 15 and under W, 25:41; Jeffrey Eyrich, 1st 50 and over M, 27:03; Edith Guevara, 2nd 20-24 W, 28:36; Janelle Hartzell, 1st 16-19 W, 28:47; Todd Lebic, 3rd 30-34 M, 28:55; Renee Mosier, 3rd 20-24 W, 29:03Fontaine Graham, 3rd 15 and under W, 29:06; David Johns, 2nd 50 and over M, 29:26; Karolina Duskova, 2nd 16-19 W, 30:28; Katie Froehich, 3rd 16-19 W, 30:34; Kata Himes, 2nd 30-34 W, 32:06; Patel Mimta, 2nd 20-24 M, 32:09; Don Malec, 3rd 50 and over M, 33:09; Heather Schell, 1st 35-39 W, 33:44; Misty O'Connor, 1st 40-44 W, 36:15; Stacey Styborski, 2nd 35-39 W, 36:17Scott Fabray, 21:39; Adam Leary, 22:29; Ryan Ficco, 22:52; Paul Hallowell, 24:11; David Leary, 24:53; Daniel Hartzell, 24:59; Vincent Genovese, 24:59; Chris Renaue, 25:11; Matt Kwiatkowski, 25:22; Justin Fearon, 25:28; Josh Heauer, 25:29; Phil Hovanic, 25:44; Kyle Courtney, 25:58; Adam Tucek, 26:04; Alex Loughran, 26:05; Ryan Kingston, 26:05; Anthony Episcopo, 26:25Josh Mathews, 26:35; Dan Heleszynski, 26:38; Ben Dunlop, 26:50; Al Lockard, 26:55; Joe Norris, 26:59; Bob Miller, 27:01; Eric Geddis, 27:39; Michael Malec, 27:40; C.J. Bohn, 27:44; Frank Sonders, 27:57; Daniel Ellwood, 28:09; Chris Joseph, 28:18; Tom Neff, 28:56; Doug McKee, 28:57; David Ashenden, 28:59; Jim Gemperlein, 29:13; Peter Johns, 29:18; Gary Salatino, 29:21Jessa Koch, 29:24; Thomas Hutton, 29:29; Katie Pitts, 29:32; Ron Hartle, 29:36; Makenzie O'Connor, 29:49; Emily Coleman, 30:25; Emily Opett, 30:35; Caroline Jones, 30:41; Matthew Davis, 31:12; Robert Miller, 31:21; Gary Salatino, Sr., 31:51; Jeremy Smith, 31:52; Adam Toomey, 31:57Lawrence Finkes, 32:06; Mike Kiely, 32:28; Eric Mathews, 32:38; Don Cornman, 32:43; Bob Hilton, 33:29; Nick Ashenden, 33:30; Joe Balestorino, 33:45; Allen Coccia, 34:12; Eric Davis, 34:53; Jerry Mayernik, 36:13; Scott Thomas, 37:58; Katie Balestrino, 38:57Send comments and suggestions: to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email bigp@highstream.net