There are so many things to do in the week before Christmas: last-minute shopping, cramming for a short work week, extra meets and greets with family and friends.

Interruptions in the daily routine aren't bad things when the changes benefit others and bring you closer to family, friends and God. But it always seems that running, even on an abbreviated holiday schedule, takes a back seat to most other activities around Christmas week. Any minutes or miles on the road are a bonus.

My Christmas morning began with gift opening, followed by worship, then lunch and more presents. After that, the day stretched out long and lazy before us.

We settled in for an afternoon of "The Christmas Story." as streamed through the window.

Suddenly, as if in tune with an unseen natural alarm clock, my dogs became restless. Their exercise routines had suffered through the holiday as well. The papillon pranced across the top of the couch while the cocker spaniel prodded me with his dust mop-sized paws.

Finally, I gave up on my afternoon dozing, pulled on my running clothes and grabbed the leashes. Mom came along.

The dogs dashed out the door, happy to be outside and in the company of fellow runners. There was momentary confusion and running in circles while they figured out that we planned to run down the driveway instead of up the path through the woods.

The four of us make an odd sort of pack — a mentally challenged cocker spaniel, a papillon with three good legs, one out-of-breath woman and another with a cranky knee. It means that when we all run together we wait for each other and guide each other.

To the dogs, running the road means running restrained. They actually seem to enjoy the guidance of the leash, though sometimes it's not clear who's leading whom, especially with the powerful and energetic cocker spaniel.

As usual, the cocker set the pace, straining to pull me up the first hill. He can't grasp the concept of a gradual warm up. Mom wasn't faring much better with the papillon. The little dog threw all of her 12 pounds into matching the big dog stride for stride.

After a half-mile of sprints, the pack settled into a somewhat steady pace. Mom and I welcomed the dogs' stops for sniffing the neighbor's mailbox, inspecting a possum flattened into the road and stopping to lap from a cold puddle. And the dogs didn't seem to mind when the humans paused to point out a few winter dandelions, new Christmas light additions or when we pulled the leashes closer to avoid the few cars passing on the rural road.

We ran until challenged by the Australian cattle dog that keeps a close and noisy watch over three horses. The four of us, even with a few half-hearted yips from the canines, were no match for the guard dog. He stood his ground while we retreated. The horses seemed puzzled by the whole exchange.

Having run out their initial bursts of energy, the dogs contentedly jogged alongside their human companions on the return trip. We enjoyed the last rays of winter sun on our backs and the final mile of frozen pavement underfoot.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Your choice of distance and pace. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comMonday, 2 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K Race, Harmony. Out-and-back course through historic Harmony along Connoquenessing Creek, part of First Night celebration with German food and music and fireworks at 6 p.m. 724-538-8940 or jimscarnati.netMonday, 5 p.m.: Twilight Run 5K, Lakemont Park, Altoona. Also 2 mile fun walk through holiday light display. 814-695-4467 or laurandt@hollidaysburgareaymca.orgMonday, 6:30 p.m.: First Night Resolution Run 5K, State College. Part of First Night celebration with music, ice sculptures. 814-571-1960 or eggler@geo5c.psu.eduJan. 5, noon: Run to Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, W.Va. Run through Prickett's Fort State Park on two rail trails. 304-366-6055 or run2read@yahoo.com

<B>Gobbler's Gallop 5K, Nov. 22: </B>Jake Walker, 1st Overall M, 15:38; Clint Orloski, 2nd Overall M, 16:03; Brian Oroark, 3rd Overall M, 16:51; Ann Hoffman, 1st Overall W, 18:54; Matt Marchese, 1st 14-19 M, 17:48; Andy Franze, 3rd 14-19 M, 18:25; Rich Makin, 1st 50-54 M, 18:46; Ben Hoffman, 1st 13 & Under M, 19:35; Joel Thomas, 1st 20-29 M, 19:48; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-44 M, 19:57; Kevin Scott Brown, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:40; Roger Murray, 3rd 45-49 M, 21:36; Alicia Wiley, 2nd 20-29 W, 22:45; Nick Keefer, 3rd 20-29 M, 21:54; Wendy Recio, 1st 45-49 W, 24:53; Brittany Lyons, 3rd 14-19 W, 25:05; Leslie Kramer, 1st 30-34 W, 25:10; Jessica Ludwig, 3rd 20-29 W, 25:18; Libby Berezniak, 2nd 13 & Under W, 26:47; Kelly Roitz, 3rd 13 & Under W, 27:11; Kristen Kelosky, 2nd 40-44 W, 28:19; Helen Walker, 2nd 45-49 W, 29:25; Kathy Tietjen, 2nd 55-59 W, 31:36; Sharon Bieselt, 3rd 55-59 W, 31:45Dustin Smith, 18:31; Christopher Paff, 18:42; Joe Thetford, 19:19; Matt Martin, 19:39; Michael Farah, 20:23; Luke Griffin, 20:54; Adam Snowden, 22:03; Robert Miller, 22:21; Phil Barner, 22:30; David Snowden, 22:58; Tanner Gilchrist, 24:00; Ron Hartle, 24:49; John Sepe, 25:10; John Ludwig, 25:17; Nicole Fuchs, 25:18; Allison Jones, 27:08; Robbie Godsen, 27:28; Ashley Keefer, 27:42; Jesica Kelosky, 28:14; Brian Sepe, 28:16; Andy Ludwig, 29:13; Jeff Meehan, 29:29; Josh Friday, 30:14; Larry Gaiser, 30:53; Brandon Farah, 32:19; Mallory Mehan, 32:37; Jack Reda, 32:53; Josh Syphrit, 34:03; Andy Lippman, 34:43; Paige Nye, 34:45; Morgan McElwain, 38:27; Shana Stewart, 44:19; Josh Stewart, 44:28<B>Jingle Bell 5K, Dec. 1: </B>Timothy Bishop, 1st Overall M, 17:24; Dominic Wyzomirski, 3rd Overall M, Veronica Kirish, 1st Overall W, 21:44; 18:06; Mike Fugate, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:53; Barry Mittermeier, 3rd 50-54 M, 20:09; Sharyl Relic, 3rd 45-49 W, 24:06; Marcia Semple, 1st 60 and over W, 34:20;Cory Steinhagen, 19:18; Scott Slaney, 19:59; Robert Cunningham, 20:43; David Fugate, 20:58; Jody Lobert, 21:19; Mark Knapp, 21:52; Bruce Barnes, 22:29; Stephen Diantonio, 22:44; Kelly Fill, 22:48; Rob Volkman, 22:50; Alec Raymond, 24:22; Brian Fill, 24:28; Rita McClelland, 24:34; Dean Rippee, 24:50; Chris Byrd, 25:19; Amanda Hardt, 26:34; Becky Miller, 26:48; Gineen Jarneuch, 27:11; Larry Payne, 27:18; Lou Lazzara, 27:30; Sarah Hodak, 27:40; Cathleen Matuzak, 27:42; Nichole Hardt, 28:03; Robin Theuer, 28:03; Dell Bowen, 28:34; Terry Ann Fuller, 28:35; Jeff Deshay, 28:42; Kathy Bowen, 28:47; Jyll Lilly, 29:01; Diann Corll, 29:01; Gretchen Starcher, 29:24; Doug Schumacher, 29:27; Lynn Dixon-Stewart, 29:29; Debbe Smith, 31:04; Brandon Raymond, 31:11; Bill Ringle, 31:14; Susan Hardt, 34:24; Jill Payne, 35:28; Aubrie Knapp, 40:36; Irna De Leon-Knapp, 40:36; Austin Corll, 46:37; Dan Coryll, 46:39Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net