In December, we expect to get a little taste of winter weather. But last weekend was more than a taste — Mother Nature crammed winter right down our throats.

I managed to roll out of bed early Saturday to get ready for a run. I'm not a morning runner. My favorite morning activity is settling down to the computer in my pajamas and fuzzy slippers with a cup of coffee. By the second cup, I'll think about actually moving.

This Saturday, I resisted my natural inclination to roll over and turn off the alarm clock. I already was thinking about Pittsburgh Marathon training and Saturday long runs that begin in January. If I expect to have the discipline to face winter long runs, I'd better get used to it.

Amazingly, five intrepid runners turned out at 8 a.m. on a blustery Saturday for an hour of running on frozen roads. I felt a little sheepish when I found out that all of them had traveled much farther than me to run with company.

We trotted a little more than miles to half-frozen Glade Lake and topped it off with hot coffee, doughnuts and conversation afterward. After dreading the cold, I had to admit that running in 15-degree weather wasn't nearly as bad as the thought of running in it. In fact, it turned out to be a pleasant morning's run.

Back at my computer on Saturday afternoon, I was feeling good about getting out earlier for my run and even better about settling in for the afternoon in my fuzzy slippers. Then I saw it — between two oaks in my backyard, my hammock swayed in the winter wind. I'd forgotten to take it down once the weather turned cold.

For a moment I daydreamed about the lazy summer hours I'd spent reading in my hammock, dogs dozing on the moss underneath. I couldn't think of doing that now.

But winter isn't a time for lying around outside — and that's a good thing. Winter outdoors is a time to get active, if only to stay warm.

After summer's energy-sapping days, I'm looking forward to moving around outside. I'm actually looking forward to my next 8 a.m. run, no matter what the weather. I've got plenty of mittens and fleece to keep me warm and plenty of hot chocolate and coffee to warm me afterward.

As for my hammock, I took it down on Sunday, shook off the snow and packed it away for a warmer time. Besides, I don't have time to lie around. I've got lots of running to do this winter.

Congratulations to area runner Chris Nirschel, winner of the OBX Marathon in North Carolina Nov. 9. Chris's winning time was 2 hours, 31 minutes, 9 seconds.Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Ask about Pittsburgh Marathon training group. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 11 a.m.: Jingle Bell 5K Run-Walk, State College. Also 1-mile fun run-walk. 800-776-0746 or ralbright@arthritis.orgDec. 31, 2 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K Run-Walk, Harmony. Kicks off German heritage festivities. 724-452-6780 or www.harmony-pa.usDec. 31, 6:30 p.m.: First Night 5K Resolution Run, State College. Part of First Night festivities. 814-571-1960 or eggler@geosc@psu.eduJan. 3, 8:30 a.m.: Frigid 5K, Greensburg. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-837-0684 or xcrunner091@verizon.netJan. 3, 9:30 a.m.: James V. Snyder Memorial Resolution Run, North Park. Starts at boathouse. jvresolutionrun@yahoo.com

<B>North Park I-Matter 5K, Oct. 25:</B> Dave Kelly, 1st Overall M, 21:25; Kristie Brown, 1st Overall W, 24:48; Mackenzie Bruce, 1st 14 and under M, 23:46; Dan Geier, 1st 51-60 M, 23:48; Brian Ulrich, 1st 31-40 M, 23:50; Jeff Lengel, 2nd 51-60 M, 26:44; Carol Lasklow, 1st 15-19 W, 27:24; Melissa McKellar, 2nd 15-19 W, 27:24; Carrie Jackson, 1st 20-30 W, 30:35; Julie Senchak, 2nd 20-30 W, 44:36; Ceri Morgan, 2nd 31-40 W, 44:39; Tyler Wade, 2nd 14 and under M, 52:34; Tamica Wade, 1st 31-40 W, 52:42; Susan Kotkiewica, 1st 41-50 W, 56:45<B>Butler County Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Nov. 1:</B> Nicholas Higgins, 1st Overall M, 17:45; Veronica Burnsworth, 1st Overall W, 21:36; Tim Monfre, 1st 40-49 M, 18:09; Anthony Smaldino, 1st 11-14 M, 19:34; Mark Knapp, 3rd 40-49 M, 19:38; Braden Davis, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:47; Ron Romanoff, 1st 50-59 M, 20:22; Joe Baben, 3rd 15-19 M, 20:45; Matt Drohan, 1st 30-39 M, 21:22; Benjamin Rhoads, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:24; Kevin Wildrick, 3rd 30-39 M, 21:26; Steve Russell, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:05; AJ May, 2nd 11-14 M, 22:17; Alan Troyan, 3rd 20-29 M, 22:39; John Somora, 3rd 11-14 M, 22:50; Ron Hartle, 3rd 50-59 M, 22:52; Debbie Deddo, 1st 50-59 W, 23:05; Denise Shearer, 1st 30-39 W, 23:32Carrie Smith, 2nd 30-39 W, 24:11; Rose Nesbit, 1st 15-19 W, 24:18; Rebecca Schmoll, 3rd 30-39 W, 24:22; Dezso Csizmadia, 1st 70 and over M, 24:24; Maggi Quinlan, 1st 20-29 W, 25:39; Patty Schmidt, 1st 40-49 W, 25:41; Donna Eshenbaugh, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:01; Michael Johnson, 1st 10 and under M, 27:03; Kristina Bennett, 2nd 20-29 W, 27:04; Mary Fleming, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:06; Nicole Binnie, 2nd 15-19 W, 27:06; Joyce Doss, 40-49 W, 27:30; Jill Todd, 3rd 50-59 W, 27:59; Olivia Reddick, 3rd 15-19 W, 28:40; Olivia Drohan, 1st 10 and under W, 28:52; Evan Deddo, 2nd 10 and under M, 29:42; Fontaine Rittleman, 2nd 11-14 W, 29:56; Katie Witmer, 3rd 20-29 W, 30:01; Kennedy Evans, 3rd 11-14 W, 30:04 Claire Preston, 2nd 10 and under W, 31:45; Lily Murray, 3rd 10 and under W, 31:45; Marcia Semple, 1st 60-69 W, 33:19Benjamin Swigart, 20:45; Colten Schmoll, 21:19; Israel Christie, 22:24; Roger Murray, 22:27; Rich Landgraf, 23:04; Ryan Blum, 23:07; Michael Glew, 23:08; Bob Todd, 23:09; Jeff Hartzell, 23:15; Matthew Brennan, 23:30; Evan Long, 23:50; Bruce Soule, 23:55; John Reddick, 24:06; Bradley Christie, 24:10; Scott Nesbit, 24:17; Daniel Filges, 24:22; William Osche, 24:23; Darrell Smith, 24:24; Mark Krenitsky, 24:30; Aaron Depew, 24:37; Jon Galante, 24:43; Jim Filges, 24:48; Buddy Turner, 24:56; Rhonda Kuminkoski, 25:11; David Drane, 25:13; Len Yensull, 25:14Gale Mussey, 25:23; James Trivoli, 25:58; Kemper May, 26:10; Jeremy Reeder, 26:13; Vicki Young, 26:19; Christopher Fiorina, 26:22; Michael Fiorina, 26:25; Patrick Fullerton, 26:26; Dave McFarland, 26:35; Ryan Helsel, 26:44; Holly Depew, 26:59; Matt Hinterlang, 27:08; Heidi Christy, 27:10; Kyle Deddo, 27:25; Nichol Dawson, 27:26; Greg Beer, 27:43; Natalie Franko, 27:48; Cathy Reese, 28:08; Marilyn Lapiska, 28:17; Matthew Callihan, 28:25; Rob Azarcon, 28:27; Shane Reed, 28:27; David Holl, 28:34; Debra Christy, 28:37; Brad Hankinson, 28:41; Erik May, 28:42; Thomas May, 28:42; Keith Christie, 28:47; Tracy Pellegrino, 28:51; Bob Zaccari, 28:56; Lucas Zenobi, 29:09Margy Somora, 29:36; Darrick Gartley, 29:40; Ken Deddo, 29:44; Katie Sefton, 29:49; Tyler Stone, 29:52; Jordan Blum, 29:53; Marilyn Moore, 29:55; Dane Winkler, 29:55; Lisa Moss, 29:58; Mike LaGamba, 29:59; Beth LaGamba, 30:02; Cindy Reddick, 30:17; Kara Plant, 30:24; Amy Hartzell, 30:31; Maggie Holl, 30:32; Alyson Walls, 30:33; Lisa Haas, 30:33; Tammy Gaurrich, 30:36; John Mumaur, 30:36Mary Piroch, 30:42; Debbie Kuminkoski, 30:53; Stephanie Verdecchia, 31:15; Steve Beck, 31:15; Lana Tharnish, 31:39; Charles Diehl, 31:43; Julia Murray, 31:52; Hugh Henderson, 32:00; Kimberly Say, 32:08; Amy Vernon, 32:11; Gayle Hindman, 32:30; Jennifer Grooms, 32:59; John Klee, 33:29; Michael Wirz, 34:43; Ron Schmoll, 34:44; Tracy McKenna, 34:44; Antionette Eyth, 34:46; Alyssa Robb, 36:10; Lesley Bachman, 36:22; Missy Jungling, 36:53; Nicole Zedreck, 37:05Send 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.