Tapering is part of marathon training. These two weeks before the May 2 Pittsburgh Marathon are a time to recover and to rebuild after heavy training. It's a time to sit back and watch those "miles in the bank" collect interest.

But runners aren't good at sitting back. We're used to moving. When we're not running, we're thinking about running. And, in this taper time, thinking about running leads to worrying about running and dreaming about running.

Since we're well into the second week of a three-week taper, I'm sure many marathoners are deep into tapering paranoia — that point when worry over real concerns morphs into agonizing over every potential race-ending possibility.

Occasionally, bad (or at least inconvenient) things happen. Once in a while, they happen during the weeks before the marathon — but they don't happen to everyone all the time.

For those not tapering, here's a little insight into what runners are agonizing over this week and next:

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Germs. With more than 300 colds and viruses on the loose, chances are you'll catch one once in a while. Tapering runners may be more at risk for catching a bug because hard training has strained their immune systems.•

Injuries. It's hard to develop a running injury when you're not running. But runners aren't immune from the common ordinary slips and falls of daily life.Some of the injuries I've experienced myself or overheard from other runners: tripped on a dog; bitten by a dog; stepped off a curb; fell out of a truck; dislocated a toe while having a pedicure; hit in the eye by a baseball; whacked a knee with a tire iron; hurt playing football, basketball, any ball; ingrown toenail and the old standard: running into a door.•

Clothes. Running 26.2 miles in blister-producing socks or chafing underwear can be mighty painful, so the correct combination of clothing is important. But runners can overstress over what to wear on race day. Don't add to it by rearranging one of your spouse's 10 running outfits displayed across the bedroom.•

Lack of clothes. It's weird, but the closer race day looms, the more outlandish dreams become. Most runners I know have experienced dreams in which they arrive at the start of a big race dressed in flannel pajamas, a sequined evening gown or other totally inappropriate clothing. More unsettling are the nightmares of running without shoes or worse, without a stitch of clothing to pin a bib number on.There's no lack of worries, real or imagined, for tapering runners. After recent headlines, we'll have to add one more. Many runners missed Monday's Boston Marathon when planes in Europe were grounded by the volcanic eruption in Iceland.Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Your choice of distance or help with annual road cleanup. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Friends of the Park 5K and 1-Mile Run, Zelienople. 724-321-4265 or www.myzeliepark.org.Saturday, 9 a.m.: Team Alex 5K and 5-Mile Run-Walk, North Park. 724-934-3672 or bmac@zoominternet.netSaturday, 10 a.m.: St. Bernard School 5K Run-Walk, Indiana. 724-422-4338 or K32Hilliard@comcast.netSunday, 10 a.m.: Boyce Park Trail Run 10K and 5K, Monroeville. 412-303-8610Sunday, 1 p.m.: Get Lost Orienteering Race, Coopers Rock State Park, W.Va. Use a map and compass to score points by locating various checkpoints. 304-293-0851 or Nathan.kile@mail.wvu.eduApril 28, 6 p.m.: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training Information Meeting, Wexford. 800-482-TEAM or www.teamintraining.org/mailMay 1, 9 a.m.: Friendship Hill 5-Mile Trail Run, Morgantown, W.Va. Starts at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. 304-293-0851 or Nathan.kile@mail.wvu.eduMay 1, 10 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon Kids Marathon, Pittsburgh. Ages 5 through 14 run or walk a noncompetitive mile. 412-586-7785 or www.pittsburghmarathon.orgMay 2, 7:30 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, Pittsburgh. The big event in town. It's sold out but you can still volunteer to help. 412-586-7785 or www.pittsburghmarathon.comMay 8, 9 a.m.: Moraine Preservation Fund 5K Race and 2-Mile Fun Walk, Portersville. 724-368-9185 or www.morainepreservationfund.orgMay 9, 8:30 a.m.: Race for the Cure 5K, Pittsburgh. 412-342-0500 or www.komenpittsburgh.orgMay 16, 9 a.m.: MS Miles of Smiles 5-Mile Race and Walk, 1-Mile Handicapped Accessible event, North Park. Teams and dogs welcome. 724-713-0934 or www.milesofsmiles.comMay 22, 9 a.m.: Mars Band on the Run 5K, Adams Township. www.marsband5k.comRace results

Just a Short Run 5K, March 27: Ian Fitzgerald, 1st Overall M, 15:35; Dominic Wyzomirski, 3rd Overall M, 18:14; Kim Schwabenbauer, 1st Overall W, 18:49; Salina Smialek, 2nd Overall W, 22:53; Bruce Barnes, 3rd 50-54 M, 22:37; Brady Knox, 1st 15 and under M, 23:00; Jacob Porter, 3rd 15 and under M, 24:05; Paul Kirsch, 2nd 40-44 M, 24:21; Reilly Butler, 1st 15 and under W, 24:32; Scott Trzeciak, 3rd 40-44 M, 24:41; Jeanie McBride, 1st 30-34 W, 24:42Julia Scanlon, 2nd 15 and under W, 25:05; Dez Csizmadia, 1st 70 and over M, 25:58; Cathy Kirsch, 1st 35-39 W, 26:39; Traci McKenna, 2nd 40-44 W, 28:10; Jill Todd, 2nd 50-54 W, 28:23; Kim Spears, 3rd 35-39 W, 28:42; Lisa Myers, 1st 45-49 W, 28:43; Lisa Moss, 3rd 45-49 W, 30:41 Cathy Wurzer, 1st 60-64 W, 49:57Brian Zima, 24:56; Bailey Trzeciak, 25:01; Lenny Nitowski, 25:08; Greg Foutz, 25:44; Todd Hessler, 25:51; Joe Simoes, 26:18; Matt Grossman, 26:22; Luke Miller, 26:26; Ian Steward, 26:32; Katie Kirsch, 26:37; Alan Parrish, 26:37; Lucas Mowrey, 26:39; Stefany Baron, 26:42; Lauren Titchen, 26:44; Rob Willig, 27:12; Brad Gentile, 27:20; Susan Pelletier, 27:51; John Sleighter, 27:59; Natalie Petrini, 28:04; Nicole Reep, 28:10; Elizabeth Smialek, 28:18; Lilli Marcoux, 28:20; Joe Horvat, 28:25; Robert Marcoux, 28:25; Rebecca Choban, 28:45; Julie Ford, 28:55; Patty Zagami, 29:08; Heather Killmeyer, 29:31Wendy Krug, 29:40; Seth Krug, 29:40; Tim Butler, 30:06; Owen Corsi, 30:14; Renee Melfi, 30:16; Jim Ford, 30:19; Edythe Bellissimo, 30:22; Ricky Myers, 30:26; Dan Pedersen, 30:30; Emily Todd, 30:30; Susie Pedersen, 30:30; Caroline Monteleone, 31:26; Kirsten Corsi, 31:31; Mitchell Corsi, 31:33; Greg Corsi, 31:39; Evan Monteleone, 32:12; Max Chizmar, 32:18; Justin Petrilena, 32:19; Tristan Lesheim, 32:21; Brandon, Wetherholt, 32:24; Crystal Spring, 32:41; Jennifer Cygan, 32:41; Douglas Cygan, 32:43Heather Rodgers, 32:49; Benjamin Houston, 33:10; Ryan Reep, 33:14; Rayya Rashid, 33:15; Stephanie Reese, 33:22; Dalton Reese, 33:22; Tom English, 33:23; Emily Croll, 33:43; Crystal Gilliland, 34:08; Randon Simmons, 34:14; Rebecca Dvorak, 34:15; Julia Muir, 34:24; Patti McCowin, 34:37; Jack Ford, 34:51; Ashley Hanne, 35:25; Carrie Miloser, 35:29; Lynn Aufman, 35:41; Abby Neiser, 35:48; Jessica Patterson, 35:49Jack Anderson, 36:26; Jared Wojcikiewicz, 36:34; Aryn Micaletti, 39:28; Jason Burket, 41:21; Rebecca Gilliland, 42:06; Joshua Rodgers, 42:07; Kate Murray, 42:31; Craig Moss, 43:04; Debra Perry, 43:51; Jake Miller, 44:19; Alison Butler, 44:36; Lance Shaw, 45:57; Sonya Shaw, 45:57; Robb Miller, 49:13; Kristen Krause, 52:10; Ken Hess, 52:13; Matthew Hanne, 53:28; Emily Hess, 53:46; Tracey Hess, 57:08; Ben Hess, 57:09; Jamie Croll, 59:07; Isabella Browne, 1:00:13; Charles Browne, 1:00:14; Jennifer Browne, 1:00:14

Cook Forest Half Marathon, March 27: Chris Geddis, 1st Overall M, 1:13:48; Brian Forester, 3rd Overall M, 1:15:10; Sarah Flament, 1st Overall W, 1:18:23; Ashley Brooks, 2nd Overall W, 1:27:32; David Worth, 1st 20-24 M, 1:20:52; Dean Rippee, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:28:15; Sandy Beck, 3rd 45-49 W, 1:43:28; Patricia Neubert, 1st 55-59 W, 1:43:49; Nicole Marshall, 2nd 19 and under W, 1:51:57; Diane Brooks, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:56:40; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70 and over W, 2:27:30Holly Bauer, 1:31:52; E. Alex Carnathan, 1:37:12; Randall Kruger, 1:39:13; Steve Mix, 1:43:21; Eric Fritch, 1:43:21; Neal Franchock, 1:43:25; William Marsh, 1:43:38; Larry Lutz, 1:45:16; Adam Lowe, 1:45:56; Philip Mathew, 1:47:21; Bob Markovich, 1:47:21; James Aller, 1:49:20; Michael Jones, 1:52:40; Clint Hartle, 1:54:19; Derek Smith, 1:56:54; Jen Beachem, 1:57:12; Kelly Stenger, 1:59:28; Nichol Dawson, 2:01:51Wayne Toy, 2:01:51; Brian Wheeler, 2:05:58; Heather Oros, 2:05:59; Leah Rapp, 2:06:38; Ron Hartle, 2:06:41; Rita McClelland, 2:08:42; Mary Blom, 2:08:43; Stephen Arn, 2:09:08; Beverly Lowe, 2:10:51; Robert Crawford, 2:11:00; Sheri Gibson, 2:27:35; Dana Hogue, 2:31:54; Caitlin Worth, 2:35:18

Cook Forest 5K, March 27: Keven Gregg, 1st Overall M, 17:00; Kelly Wyatt, 1st Overall W, 20:39; Josh Denny, 2nd 14-19 M, 19:35; Jeff Cypher, 2nd 50-54 M, 23:07; Emily Jones, 2nd 13 & Under W, 24:21; Talisa Dimmick, 1st 25-29 W, 25:41; Angie Fritch, 2nd 30-34 W, 28:17; Sebastian Anastasi, 25:17; Jason Dimmick, 25:40; Vincent Anastasi, 26:38; Olivia Lowe, 27:07; Brad Bowser, 27:22; Evan Lowe, 28:21; Bryce Lowe, 28:22; Eliza Lowe, 28:22; Amy Whitling, 28:33; Brian Cochran, 28:52; Brian Shingledecker, 29:10; Debra Kuminkoski, 29:31; Jesse Allen, 33:28; Deborah Kruger, 37:13; Bethany Young, 38:59Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.