There's something special about a new calendar. Each white page stretches out like a field of untracked new snow.

Each day is an opportunity, a possibility, an invitation to fill the future.

Beyond that empty whiteness of the page, a running goal shimmers in the distance like a mountain peak to be climbed. For me and a few thousand others in Western Pennsylvania, that goal is the Pittsburgh Marathon or Half Marathon in May.

After the post-race season of aimless drifting and training-wrecking holidays, as well as the discussion and preparation, we're glad to take the first steps of our journey. We're eager to transfer the miles from training plan to training log, to feel, not just to imagine, the road under our feet as the adventure begins.

The marathon is an adventure in every sense. It requires preparation and planning, dedication and consistency, flexibility and creativity, mental and physical toughness, and attention to detail with an eye toward the big picture.

Even then success in the marathon isn't guaranteed. Good fortune and luck always come into play, and there are always hidden obstacles, dangers and setbacks to overcome on the way to the finish line.

At some point, we might reach a breaking point. This is anticipated but usually unexpected. We might break or just bend. When it happens, we'll rely on friends and family for help to push us through the barrier or to help us regroup.

Uncertainty is part of the allure of any adventure, whether it's running a marathon, climbing a Himalayan peak or descending a wild river.

When my friends and I toe the starting line at May's marathon, we'll line up with fellow adventurers who hold regular jobs and drive kids to soccer practice.

The marathon is an obvious goal to strive for in filling those blank calendar pages. But it's certainly not the only peak that appears in the distance.

A few of my friends are leaving the roads behind as they focus on trail running. Others plan to stretch their physical and mental limits by running distances beyond the 26.2-mile marathon.

For some, the adventure begins with a few steps as they resolve to get off the couch and begin a walking or running program.

But that's the way every adventure begins: with the first steps into a brand new year. I wish for all of you a calendar of blank pages and a goal shining in the distant months ahead.

Kudos to Margretta Lutz, a.k.a. Mom, who was named by USATF as the No. 1 female distance runner in the age 80-to-84 division. You'll see Mom training once again for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in May as she seeks to retain her title as the fastest octogenarian in the USA.

Friday, 10 a.m.: New Year's Day 5-Miler, Erie. 814-774-3209Friday, 6:30 p.m.: First Night Resolution Run 5K, State College. 814-571-1960Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Elite Runners and Walkers Marathon Training Run, Pittsburgh. Meet at Convention Center for a run on the marathon course. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Training begins for Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Second Sole Group Run, North Park. Meet at Boat House. 724-772-2808Sunday, 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.comJan. 9, noon: Run to Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, W.Va. Run through Prickett's Fort State Park. 304-366-6055 or run2read@yahoo.comJan. 10, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5-Mile, North Park. Meets at North Park Lodge, benefits Light of Life Mission. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comJan. 16, 10 a.m.: UPMC Sports Medicine Seminar Series, Pittsburgh. Topic: Getting Started Training for Marathon or Half Marathon. www.pittsburghmarathon.comJan. 23, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks 10-Mile or 5 Mile, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park, hot post-race food and drinks. 724-758-2506 or bonherb@yahoo.com

<B>Treesdale 5K, Nov. 28: </B>Joseph Pane, 1st Overall M, 17:50; Brian Forester, 2nd Overall M, 18:04; Kate Reinhart, 1st Overall W, 20:38; Emily Reinnhart, 3rd Overall W, 22:42; Tom Reinhart, 1st 14-16 M, 19:03; Theodore Huxtable, 1st 25-29 M, 18:46; Matt Droz, 1st 35-39 M, 19:11; Kevin Brumbaugh, 2nd 16-19 M, 19:24; Jake Montag, 2nd 17-19 M, 20:10; Mark Knapp, 1st 45-49 M, 20:28; Philip Madonna, 1st 12-13 M, 21:27; Michael Finikiotis, 2nd 45-49 M, 21:56; Ben Kingan, 3rd 14-16 M, 21:58; Bruce Barnes, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:28; John Reed, 1st 11 and under M, 22:33; Kristyna Finikiotis, 1st 14-16 W, 23:41; Darryl Brandon, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:41; Danielle Mrdjenovich, 1st 16-19 W, 23:54; Bruce Hall, 3rd 40-44 M, 24:33; Matt Schellhaas, 1st 30-34 M, 24:43; Tracey Weaver, 1st 35-39 W, 24:50Sean Farrell, 2nd 11 and under M, 25:00; Noah Gengler, 3rd 11 and under M, 25:04; Caitlin Farrell, 1st 12-13 M, 25:10; Rob Waltrip, 3rd 35-39 M, 25:21; Kelli Hartman, 3rd 20-24 W, 26:07; Krista Novak, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:08; Katlyne Lutz, 3rd 12-13 W, 26:13; Jim Hodgson, 3rd 55-59 M, 26:35; Megan Ellery, 1st 11 and under W, 27:09; Susan Pelletier, 2nd 30-34 W, 27:11; Lauren Laughlin, 2nd 16-19 W, 27:12; Sarah Keisel, 3rd 30-34 W, 27:27; Michelle Ellery, 1st 40-44 W, 27:46; Alex Madonna, 3rd 12-13 M, 28:01; Dan Borchert, 2nd 30-34 M, 28:47Caitlin Reed, 2nd 11 and under W, 29:25; Barb Spreng, 2nd 45-49 W, 29:26; Katelyn Ellery, 3rd 11 and under W, 30:29; Olivia Laughlin, 2nd 14-16 W, 31:24; Erin Smith, 2nd 40-44 W, 32:50; Marcia Semple, 1st 65-69 W, 34:06; Eric Kerstetter, 2nd 20-24 M, 34:19; Christine Holt, 3rd 40-44 W, 37:01; Chris Saxton, 2nd 50-54 W, 37:08; Kathy Gordon, 3rd 50-54 W, 43:19Joe Farrell, 22:11; Dan Bunner, 23:32; Timothy Heim, 24:28; Todd Oravitz, 26:10; Robbie Miller, 26:15; Doug Wnorowski, 26:28; Jack Seabrooke, 27:08; Andrew Szigety, 27:19; Luke Miller, 28:13; Bob Elwell, 28:20; Robb Miller, 28:25; Gregory Reed, 29:25; Connor Trott, 29:36; Alex Wnorowski, 29:45; Jeff Logeman, 29:47; Chad Weaver, 29:58; Julie Ford, 30:15; Tom Mooney, 30:29; Matt Szigety, 30:45; Ranea Daugherty, 31:03; Joseph Stout, 31:06; Gabe Schoone, 31:30; Sam Schoone, 31:43Owen Daugherty, 31:43; Haylee Fredericks, 31:56; Pam Fredericks, 31:57; Vicki Fender, 32:13; Brian Fleeson, 32:21; Bob Cunningham, 32:30; Mollie Benvenuto, 34:39; Jackson Kessel, 34:49; Garret Kessel, 36:21; Christina Rocco, 36:23; Jennifer Ciz, 36:27; Scott Stimmel, 36:28; Mike Anderson, 36:57; Jack Anderson, 36:57; Autumn Holt, 36:58; Brian Erdahz, 37:01; Bob Pellegrini, 37:07; Tim Trebilcock, 37:07; Tyler Trebilcock, 37:09; Chris Rotelli, 37:10; Jodi Trebilcock, 37:12; Meghan Firster, 37:18; Gianna Rotelli, 37:43; Patty Pellegrini, 37:43Jake Miller, 37:44; Joe Horvat, 37:44; Robin Lutz, 38:01; Bill Hohman, 38:24; Jessica Bunner, 38:31; Nicole Waters, 38:32; Tori Trott, 38:32; Nolan Kessel, 38:54; Tim Kessel, 38:54; Bonnie Workman, 38:56; Ian Daugherty, 39:48; Bill Daugherty, 39:49; Colleen Leary, 40:05; Hannah Kemper, 40:20; Monica Kemper, 40:23; Janet Bunner, 41:33; Darlene Bartos, 41:36; April Curley, 42:52; Napa Williams, 42:54; Michael Williams, 43:07; Alicia McLaughlin, 43:23; Monica Hohman, 44:44; Lynn Dixon Stewart, 47:14; Abigail Stewart, 47:15; Jill Laughlin, 49:22; Rachel Turnbull, 59:09Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.net<b><i>Pat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.</i></b>