December is a transition month. We're going from warm to cold, from rain to snow and from lots of events on the calendar to nothing in particular going on in the running world.

A few of my friends deal with this transition by packing away their shoes as soon as it's too cold to run in shorts. Most of us handle the transition by complaining a lot about the weather, then hitting the roads.

While we can't do anything but complain about the weather, runners can at least dress for the change in seasons.

Here are a few suggestions for runners making that transition from the golden days of autumn to winter's gray and silver.

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Warm to cold. It's easy to strip down to the bare necessities in summer's heat or to pile on more clothes for winter running. It's not quite as simple to choose wisely in this transition time when temperatures can change rapidly.Dress in layers that you can shed easily. A lightweight fleece or knitted cap that can be tucked into the back of your tights or stuffed in a pocket is a great heat regulator.•

It's all about the jacket. Make your outer layer a lightweight, breathable shell. It will shield you from chilly winds and you can tie it around your waist if you're overheating.•

Rain changes everything. Remember those summer days when a sudden rain shower on a run felt so refreshing? Those days are gone for now. Cold rain not only is uncomfortable — it can be dangerous.If you're running in the cold rain, your outer shell should be water resistant. This is one article of apparel that is well worth the investment.Choose a jacket made from a breathable but water-resistant material. Make sure the seams are stitched to prevent leaks. And be sure the jacket is long enough to keep your torso dry.•

Gloves and socks. Some runners never wear gloves and their hands remain warm. Others, like me, wear gloves with shorts. In this transition time, a pair of lightweight gloves from the dollar store usually is enough to take away the chill. Or don the runner's traditional cotton-knitted gloves.I love socks almost as much as I love running shoes. This is the time I transition from my ultralight, low-cut mesh summer socks to those beefy, cushy winter quarter-length models.If you're buying socks, buy more than one pair of each model. That way when one gets lost in the dryer, you'll still have a pair plus a spare.•

Shoes. I gaze fondly at the shoes that took me through many a summer training mile. But after a full season, they are ready to retire to mall walking.If you're choosing a winter training shoe, be sure to wear those heavier socks when trying them on. Consider shoes with more cushioning for the harder road surfaces and a double layer of mesh or tighter weave for better insulation.Choose a heftier tread pattern to transition to snowy, slushy roads. Trail shoes, while not recommended for everyday road running, can be a welcome addition to your stable for those days of snowy running.As in all seasons, transition time presents challenges along with possibilities. The challenges of changing seasons are much easier to face if we're at least comfortable when we run in the unpredictable elements.

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Second Sole Group Run, North Park. Meet at boathouse. 724-772-2808Saturday, 8 a.m.: Elite Runners and Walkers Marathon Training Kickoff, South Side Trail, Pittsburgh. Lots of perks with this training plan that costs $150. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comSunday, 7:30 a.m.: Running Wild and North Park Runners Group Run, North Park. Now training for Pittsburgh Marathon with 9 miles Sunday. 724-444-5311 or www.runningwildpa.comSunday, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run-Walk 5K, Pittsburgh. Run along the North Shore benefits Arthritis Foundation. 412-566-1645 or lmautioarthritis.orgDec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k Run, Harmony. 724-452-6780 or www.harmony-pa.usJan. 1, 10 a.m.: New Year's Day 5-Miler, Erie. 814-774-3209Jan. 1, 2010, 10 A.M.: Race for Grace 5K, Zanesville, Ohio. 740-455-2659Jan. 1, 6:30 p.m.: First Night Resolution Run 5K, State College. 814-571-1960Jan. 2, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon Training, Valencia. First group run for this training program. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comJan. 10, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5-Mile, North Park. Benefits Light of Life Mission. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comJan. 23, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks 10-Mile or 5-Mile, Hermitage. Hot post race food and drinks. 724-758-2506 or bonherb@yahoo.com

Race resultsButler Turkey Trot 5K, Nov. 21: Mike Venesky, 1st Overall M, 16:28; Owen Venesky, 2nd Overall M, 17:43; Brian Forester, 3rd Overall M, 17:57; Gretchen Geibel, 1st Overall W, 22:13; Dorothy Moxie, 2nd Overall W, 22:23; Emily Petrak, 3rd Overall W, 23:40; Luke Snyder, 1st 20-29 M, 18:10; Chris Grooms, 1st 15-19 M, 18:13; Anthony Smaldino, 1st 11-14 M, 18:32; Tim Monfre, 1st 50-59 M, 18:43; Tim Carls, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:04; Braden Davis, 3rd 15-19 M, 19:08; Peter Swain, 2nd 11-14 M, 20:36; Robert Cunningham, 2nd 20-29 M, 20:36; Kevin Wildrick, 1st 30-39 M, 20:40; Jeromee Geibel, 3rd 11-14 M, 20:42; Eric Milasincic, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:16; Steve Russell, 3rd 50-59 M, 21:41Ben Rhoads, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:50; Ron Schmoll, 3rd 40-49 M, 22:02; Bob Clark, 1st 60-69 M, 23:15; Dezco Csizmadia, 1st 70 and over M, 23:38; Christy Monnie, 1st 15-19 W, 23:57; Dave Adams, 2nd 60-69 M, 24:19; Robert Crawford, 3rd 60-69 M, 24:19; Rebecca Schmoll, 2nd 30-39 W, 24:47; Rhonda Kuminkoski, 3rd 30-39 W, 25:05; Olivia Reddick, 2nd 15-19 W, 26:04; Donna Eschenbaugh, 1st 40-49 W, 26:24; Rachel Graham, 2nd 20-29 W, 26:43; Fontaine Ritleman, 1st 11-14 W, 27:50; Debbie Kuminkoski, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:58; Pam Black, 1st 50-59 W, 28:06Maggi Quinlan, 3rd 20-29 W, 28:18; Mary Fleming, 2nd 50-59 W, 28:27; Jack Codispot, 1st 10 and under M, 28:32; Traci McKenna, 3rd 40-49 W, 28:39; Michaela Lencer, 2nd 11-14 W, 30:49; Marcia Semple, 1st 60-69 W, 31:54; Hanna Schnur, 3rd 11-14 W, 31:59; Emily Moore, 3rd 15-19 W, 44:10; Judy Snyder, 2nd 60-69 W, 45:30; Christine Holman, 3rd 60-69 W, 53:01David Karls, 21:12; Mitchell Davis, 21:48; Israel Christie, 22:02; Alan Troyan, 22:11; Chad Hartzell, 22:22; Jordan Blum, 22:27; Justin Stirling, 22:28; Aaron Depew, 22:34; Kemper May, 22:44; Bradley Christie, 22:51; Daniel Filges, 22:52; Butch Rittleman, 22:53; Bill Swanik, 23:01; Jim Filges, 23:07; Lucas Zenobi, 23:14; Ryan Blum, 23:23; William Atkinson, 23:27; Jeff Hartzell, 23:33; Darryl Brandon, 23:33William Osche, 23:50; Bob Todd, 24:02; Patrick Fullerton, 24:12; Bruce Soule, 24:21; Steve Karls, 24:28; Matthew Brennan, 24:46; Adam Tilko, 24:51; Eric May, 24:59; Dave Szebalskie, 25:02; Mark Klopfer, 25:22; Nichol Dawson, 25:22; Brian Droz, 25:25; Jordan Meals, 25:47; A.J. May, 26:13; Bill May, 26:13; Kevin Allen, 26:32; Michael Johnson, 26:42; Ralph Swain, 27:09; Tisha Frederick, 27:19; Nicholas Roth, 27:29; Hugh Henderson, 27:35; Ryan Helsel, 27:36; Holly Depew, 27:39; Julie Codispot, 28:33; Cindy Reddick, 28:40; Joyce Doss, 28:42; Thomas Doerr, 29:00; Mike Newcombe, 29:01Thomas May, 29:02; Joel Geibel, 29:03; Marilyn Moore, 29:08; Matt Hinterlang, 29:59; Kimberly Say, 30:01; Lana Tharnish, 30:09; Lesley Bachman, 30:18; Bob Newcombe, 30:21; David Moore, 30:27; Missy Jungling, 30:57; Robert Cunningham, 31:00; Katie Martin, 31:17; Ken McFarland, 31:19; Robert Zaccari, 31:22; Charles Ryan, 31:52; Joseph Miller, 31:54; Mary Lorah, 32:01; Rita McClelland, 32:01; Mary Blom, 32:02; John Reddick, 32:10; Desiree Atkinson, 32:53Melinda McConnell, 32:59; Michael Wirz, 33:05; Abagail Collins, 33:46; Shari Allen, 34:06; Lucas Slear, 34:38; Stephanie Sler, 34:38; Arthur Slear, 34:39; Samantha Hill, 34:41; Katie Ellis, 34:41; John Fleischman, 35:02; David Holl, 35:22; Melissa Mason, 35:23; Tracy Roth, 35:52; Virginia Schnur, 36:04; Connie Hoffer, 37:19; Jennifer Helsel, 38:08; Darlene Callihan, 39:31; Travis Culley, 39:46; Elizabeth Holman, 39:47; Beth Swartz, 43:54; Elvira Grenci, 44:15; Stephanie Crail, 45:42; Marci Holl, 46:03; Kimberly Garvin, 46:03; Maggie Holl, 46:05; Robert Calvin, 47:21Kelly Calvin, 47:23; Marian Peterson, 47:44; Sandra Peterson, 48:53; Vickie Zaccari, 50:24; Rebecca Eyeth, 50:24; Hannah Eyeth, 50:26; Carole Hall, 50:54; Marsha Collins, 53:05; Matt Holman, 53:01; Antoinette Eyeth, 53:54; Kaylee Aul, 53:58; Tammy Aul, 53:59Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.