I'm in the midst of marathon training with weekly increasing distance runs. People ask me what I think about on long runs, as if running for hours and hours alone would be boring.

As many runners can attest, running, especially long endurance running, can lead the mind in a meandering sort of daydream. It's not that you don't think, it's just that you often can't recall exactly what it was that ran through your mind as you ran down the road.

On this week's 20-miler around North Park Lake, I decided to think about what I think about — and to make a conscious effort to remember.

I parked at North Park Lake as I had for too many runs to count. Even the air seemed familiar, a kind of fresh breeze, soft grass smell mingled with a touch of fish and auto exhaust.

I thought of the first time I ran around this lake at my first race. I ran the 10-mile event of what was then the Pittsburgh Magazine Marathon. It was a major-league affair, with guest star Benji Durden winning the marathon.

John L. Parker Jr. addressed the crowd and hawked his now classic book, "Once a Runner."

While I was proud of myself for going from couch potato to runner-of-10-miles in four short months, I was humbled by those who completed the entire 26.2-mile event.

Around the lake, I picked my way through puddles on the low road through the tennis courts while a toddler in snow boots purposely jumped into those same puddles, splashing his mom and laughing.

Time passed quickly and I soon found myself back at the car after my first 5-mile loop. A quick drink and a stretch, and I was off again.

This time, as I circled past the boathouse, two Canada geese caught my eye. These particular geese were a comical pair, strutting one behind the other in lock-step across the slick, melting ice on the lake's surface with the one in the rear honking out a cadence.

At the intersection with Ingomar Road, two cyclists crossed my path and headed for the hill toward the golf course. I thought of running that hill as part of the National Senior Games 10K, the most ill-conceived, poorly planned and toughest 10K I've ever run.

Two laps done, two to go. The sun has flooded the lake's surface with a glassy sheen. I think about spring.

For me, the first rite of spring is running the Cook Forest Half Marathon, and I vow to at least keep up my pace here for another three miles: a half marathon's length at nine-minute pace.

But I try not to think about how much I've slowed over the years since I circled this loop at least a minute per mile faster on a training run with Hot Harry and company.

I finish my third loop with a near sprint to finish this lap in 45 minutes. More Gatorade and I'm ready to go where I haven't gone yet in this training program: 20 miles.

This is the part of the run where I start talking to myself, sometimes out loud. I wish I'd brought my mp3 player to fill my thoughts with something hopeful. Instead, I try to recall my favorite running tunes. Shakira and Tom Petty dance through my head, but I can't manage more than a few bars of any one song.

At 16 miles, I'm vaguely aware of a distinct ringing in my ears. That can't be a good sign. But by mile 17, the ringing has stopped. I'm hearing the sound of building rush- hour traffic instead.

I begin to bargain with myself. I promise a one-minute, Jeff Galloway-recommended walk at 18 miles, even though I know that with every stop it gets a little harder to start again.

One more mile marker, one more walk. I can almost see my car from here and it's all downhill. I think I'm going to make it.

I'm done. I shiver a little as the sun disappears behind the trees and a cold breeze wafts from the lake. I'm tired, very tired — and hungry. I smile and think that I've had a good run.

Friday, 12:15 p.m.: Lunchtime run, Cabot. Also held Wednesdays. Run 6 to 7 easy miles with me; leaves from St. Luke Church. 724-352-2777 or pneubert@stlukecabot.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Hot Harry's Group Run, North Park. Run from 7 to 20 miles. Leaves from Lt. Stone Field.Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic, Youngstown, Ohio. Hilly half marathon runs through Millcreek Metro Park. 330-727-6070 or rhart829@sbglobal.netSaturday, 11 a.m.: Katrina's 5K Run, Freedom. Benefits New Orleans hurricane relief. 724-728-2648Saturday, noon: Air Force ROTC Arnold Air Society Run to Remember, Morgantown, W.Va. 304-483-1579 or hsealove@mix.wvu.eduSunday, 8 a.m.: Hot Harry's Group Run, North Park. Same as Saturday's run.Sunday, 9 a.m.: Athletic Trainer River Run, Pittsburgh. Run from UPMC Southside. 412-432-3770 or sanchioligi@upmc.eduSunday, 10 a.m.: Muddy Feet 8-Mile and 4-Mile, Columbus, Ohio. 614-431-9134March 15, 9 a.m.: Chambersburg Half Marathon, Chambersburg. 301-739-1366 or coachwk86@aol.comMarch 15, 10 a.m.: St. Patrick's Day 10K Race, Presque Isle State Park, Erie. jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.comMarch 15, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly 5K Run and Walk, Warren. 814-726-0110 or chris@warrenymcaMarch 22, 7 a.m.: Lt. J.C. Stone 50K UltraMarathon, North Park. Honors Vietnam War hero. www.active.comMarch 22, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5K, Hopewell. 724-378-9306 or shamrock5k@yahoo.comMarch 29: Fools' Run 10K, Indiana, Pa. Also 3-mile walk, first leg of Indiana County Triple Crown. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.netMarch 29, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run Half Marathon, North Park. Choice of 5K, 13.1 miles or 30K. 412-490-0881 or info@justashortrun.netMarch 29, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5K, Cook Forest State Park. Scenic out-and-back along Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or jroesch@clarion.edu

<B>Spring Thaw 10-Mile Run, Feb. 23:</B> Eric Anish, 1st Overall M, 57:00; Beth Shutt, 1st Overall W, 1:05:25; Mark Courtney, 1st 50-54 M, 1:03:18; Jeff Lynn, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:05:32; Ken Judson, 1st 55-59 M, 1:08:45; Emily Wobb, 1st 19 and under W, 1:12:09; Ashley Brooks, 2nd 20-24 W, 1:13:49; Juliet Smith, 3rd 19 and under W, 1:16:23Bill Schmidt, 1:11:43; Mitch Radella, 1:12:41; Joe Farrell, 1:13:41; John Armstrong, 1:15:06; Robert Crawford, 1:18:39; Keith Schneider, 1:19:16; John Limbacher, 1:19:24; Todd Roberts, 1:20:15; Ryan Kennis, 1:20:44; Michael Nagel, 1:21:28; Robb Fort, 1:22:49; Kelly Flaherty, 1:23:52; Dave France, 1:23:52; Mark Blasinsky, 1:24:17; Mark Kay, 1:25:08; Michael Glew, 1:25:41Chris Cutone, 1:26:09; Chris Romito, 1:26:25; Sharyl Relic, 1:26:56; Kim Keeley, 1:27:34; Pete Ekstam, 1:28:50; Mike Bruno, 1:29:15; Chuck Lenns, 1:29:38; Lori Piedimonte, 1:29:50; Derek Smith, 1:29:51; Wendy Recio, 1:30:07; John Ellis, 1:30:21; John Bergonzi, 1:32:39; Seve Drew, 1:33:13; Jeff Yingling, 1:33:25; Jacki Yingling, 1:33:40; Rick Becker, 1:33:43; Mary Morgan, 1:34:18; Chris Nettleton, 1:34:57; Jason Logue, 1:35:12; Bob Andrews, 1:36:05; Emily Bergonzi, 1:36:45; Denise Cervenyak, 1:40:34; Mike Cornell, 1:40:46; Jeremy Thornburg, 1:43:08; Patricia Cloonan, 1:46:35<B>Spring Thaw 15-Mile Run, Feb. 23:</B> Dave France, 2:11:36; Chuck Lenns, 2:12:39; Lori Piedimonte, 2:14:29; Derek Smith, 2:15:05; Wendy Recio, 2:17:38; Rick Becker, 2:17:39; Pete Ekstam, 2:19:14; John Bergonzi, 2:19:48; Jacki Yingling, 2:26:04; Jeff Yingling, 2:26:04; Ben Andrews, 2:29:31<B>Spring Thaw 20-Mile Run: </B>Dan Holland, 1st 2:07:09; Mitch Radella, 2:27:32; John Armstrong, 2:39:51; Robert Crawford, 2:43:33; Robb Fort, 2:54:54; Mary Morgan, 3:13:37Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.