I was nine years old, maybe ten, sitting in my room playing Barbies on an early November Saturday, when I glanced up to see the first snow of the season streaming past the window.

It wasn’t the occasional light flurry that sneaks in on the first cold front, but a steady downpour of heavy, wet white. By the time I noticed, it had left a good inch on the tufts of grass and bowed the branches of the spruce in the backyard.

Thrilled by the first real snow, I jumped up, ran down the stairs and straight out the front door. I cleared the front steps in one leap and was halfway around the side of the house before I realized I’d forgotten to put my shoes on and was running through the snow in my thin nylon socks.

Last Saturday was like that. I turned the porch light on before dawn to let my dogs out and was greeted by heavy clumps falling from the darkness, an inch of white weighing down the pine boughs above the bird feeder and more globs piling up on the sidewalk. I knew I had to get out and run in it —- this time with shoes.

Luckily, Troop D Camp Cadet had scheduled the perfect event for a romp in the snow —- the Ghostly Gray Trail Run and Mountain Bike Race in nearby Prospect. As the day dawned to a dull heavy gray, I slipped into my trail clothes and shoes, packed some dry things for after the run and headed to Camp Lutherlyn.

Organizers of the Ghostly Gray hadn’t anticipated the attraction of running through the first snow of the season, the coldest weather in the event’s four-year history. More than 40 runners and mountain bikers signed up on the morning of the event, which hosted nearly 140 participants. It was quite a change, they reported, from last year’s beautiful sunny, dry morning.

The bikers started first, circling a loop in front of the cabins before disappearing into the woods on a trail unmistakably marked with pink ribbons. They would finish their 30 kilometers (three laps of the 10k course) well after the runners. Last year’s winner, Mathew Tinkey, would eventually win once again in a time of 2:20:28, more than 22 minutes slower than last year due to the muddy conditions.

After pre-heating ourselves around a roaring campfire in the pavilion, the runners followed the bikers into the woods. The trail was well laid out and easy to follow, especially since the mountain bikes left ample ruts.

The trail was perfect for those who love snow, mud, rocks, roots, climbs and freezing water. We slipped and slid around trees and over their roots, sometimes hidden under a layer of wet leaves. Trees provided convenient handholds on the slick uphill climbs and treacherous downhills.

On the level parts of the trail, ankle-deep mud threatened to suck the shoes off our feet. Occasionally we’d clean both shoes, socks and lower legs by dunking them in icy water—- Ghostly Gray had at least a half dozen stream crossings of various widths and depths on the 10K course.

After an hour on the trail, a course marshal directed me onto the road for a quarter-mile paved uphill slog to the finish. We ended in sight of the pavilion and its warmth.

The chill of the morning quickly set in once I stopped running. I stripped off muddy clothes, shoes and socks, inspecting my toes for signs of frostbite, and piled on new layers of dryness. I’d finally exhausted the energy of the morning and craved the pizza, hot chocolate and coffee that race organizers offered.

Overall, Troop D had hosted an excellent event, from the well marked and monitored course, great custom designed long sleeved t-shirts and generous post race refreshments. My only complaint was that the race did not offer awards in separate men’s and women’s divisions as is customary in the entire world of athletics.

I voiced my displeasure, as did other women in the race. I may not return to Ghostly Gray next year, but this year the event was almost perfect for the first day of snow.

Upcoming events

Friday, 7:27 p.m.: Freedom 5K Run/ Walk, Sandy Lake. 724-376-2233 or EAMayer@gcc.edu Online registration at www.slwchurch.org

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Butler. 724-287-4733 or www.bcfymca.org

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, North Park. Trail run and walk benefits OCD Foundation. Ocdirections@verizon.net

Nov. 6, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran’s Day 5K Race, Hampton Township. Run in Hampton Community Park. Gerardmac977@aol.com

Nov. 12, 9 a.m.: Fall Classic 5K and 10K, Kittanning. Starts in front of new YMCA. jbeeker@armstrongymca.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Santa 5K Run/ Walk, Beaver. 724-775-3944 or info@bcchamber.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans’ Day 5K Race, Allison Park. Run through Hampton Community Park benefits active duty service members. Gerardmac977@aol.com

Nov. 19, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5K, Apollo. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.org

Nov. 19, 10 a.m.: Turkey Trot 5K, New Kensington. 412-477-3940 or pepsihutton@gmail.com

Nov. 20, 9:30 a.m.: Cleveland Fall Classic ½ Marathon, Strongsville, OH. fallclassic@cwrrc.org

Nov. 24, 8 a.m.: Jumet Charitable Foundation Turkey Trot 5K Run/ Walk, Darlington. 724-622-4065 or xlchampsjunk@comcast.net

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: New Castle Community YMCA Thanksgiving 5K Run and Walk, New Castle. Special family rate for entries. 724-658-9211 or migliano@ncymca.org

Nov. 24, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble 5K, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park. glackey@eglolaw.com

Nov. 26, 9 a.m.: Treesdale Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, Gibsonia. Run through Treesdale Golf and Country Club. 724-625-2220 or Nicole.newcomer@ourclub.com

Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, Harmony. Starts at Seneca Valley High School. heatherbclark@hotmail.com

Dec. 3, 9 a.m.: Oil City’s Christmas Past Cold Man’s 5K, Oil City. Run on Samuel Justis Bike Trail. shinds@oilcity.org

Dec. 4, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. Begins and ends on Penn State campus. 814-571-1960 or dhel@psu.edu

Race results

City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Sept. 25: Mark Grogan, 1st Overall M, 15:18; Heather Melzer, 1st Overall W, 18:27; Valerie Wolfarth, 1st 55-59 W, 20:46; Dorothy Moxie, 3rd 45-49 W, 22:12; Heather Cook, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:00; Ann Cheman, 2nd 60-64 W, 28:17; Greg Schiller, 19:47; Steve Schupp, 20:04; Matt Roberts, 21:20; Ronald Cushman, 21:52; Frank Bogacz, 22:08; Andrew Schnarre, 22:31; Mitch Radella, 22:59; Kelli Hartman, 23:17; Zach Manuel, 23:28; Mathew Schnarre, 23:29; Kim Roberts, 23:56; Daniel Christo, 24:08; Emily Schnarre, 24:21; Paul Lucci, 24:49; Olivia Reddick, 25:02; Denis Bishop, 25:29; John Reddick, 25:53; Ashley Harris, 26:20; Taina McCarren, 26:22; Erica Trimble, 26:23; Melissa Lutz, 26:33; Austin McCarren, 26:34; Ray Meals, 26:35; Linda Mitchell, 26:53; James Yard, 26:56; Kevin Burke, 27:01; Kaylee Ebbert, 27:10; Kaden Ebbert, 27:10; Kimberley Ebbert, 27:10; Michael Corcoran, 27:21; Amy Yard, 27:25; Joe Geyer, 27:27; Robert Sands, 27:28; William Birmingham, 27:28; Jennifer Shults, 27:34; Jason Geyer, 27:35; Jim Brucker, 27:48; John Geyer, 27:53; Pam Cooper, 27:58; Lois Adams, 28:01; Matt Szigety, 28:01; Janis Hackett, 28:16; Lauren Verona, 28:20; Jason O’Patchen, 28:48; Lauren Rodgers, 28:48; Whitney Wilzer, 28:50; Sharon Barlow, 28:52; Shawn Firster, 28:53; Shannon Sippey, 28:53; Kelly Roche, 28:54; Margaret Birmingham, 28:55; Gina Szigety, 29:01; Anthony Nicoletti, 29:03; Autumn Bupp, 29:06; Brandy Morgan, 29:31; Ines Serrano, 29:35; Tracey Geyer, 29:37; Jerome Sain, 29:41; Beth Brubach, 29:54; Stephanie Shutltz, 30:02; Jessica Suder, 30:08; Shelly Rushe, 30:13; Martha Kenreny, 30:17; Karen Roller, 30:20; Susan Wallisch, 30:23; Valerie Wolenter, 30:27; Shelley Lucci, 30:31; Cynthia Maro, 30:40; Christina Rocco, 30:42; Kylie Gallagher, 30:48; Justin Ball, 30:49; Jim Wilzer, 30:50; Jill Nicoletti, 30:53; Paige Bianchin, 30:57; Jacqueline Alcantara, 30:58; Steve Gallagher, 31:02; Chelsea Meals, 31:03; Richard Foukes, 31:05; Jordan Parkerton, 31:13; Leona Mitchell, 31:26; Jack Harding, 31:38; Frank Baker, 31:52; Maria Cashdollar, 31:53; Nancy Angus, 32:01; Amanda Hoban, 32:15; Robin Lutz, 32:28; Anita Ackerman, 32:31; Scott Ackerman, 32:32; Paul Kenreny, 32:50; Melissa Bemis, 32:55; Tricia Lawless, 33:26; Mark Lawless, 33:29; Brianna Bedillion, 33:31; Becky Bedillion, 33:36; Kyle Caskey, 33:37; Debbie Caslon, 33:38; Michele Pascal, 33:56; Nathan Neelan, 34:04; Timothy Wallisch, 34:18; Gil Gilson, 34:19; Susan Wannamaker, 34:23; Amber Cable, 34:31; Christina Stevens, 34:34; Lindsey Jewart, 34:46; Leslie Caskey, 35:04; Jamie Wilker, 35:15; Kathy Schnarre, 35:17; Carrie Ortsey, 35:38; Patti Nelson, 35:41; Paul Pry, 36:01; Claudia Verratti, 36:11; Becky Curry, 36:38; Ashley Parker, 36:49; Stephanie Crail, 36:57; Kimberly McCurdy, 37:08; Ashley Sharek, 37:08; Jennifer Lesniewski, 37:18; Thomas Lesniewski, 37:18; Kerry Shults, 37:31; Meghan Firster, 37:33; Stacey Carulli, 37:44; Kate Santry, 38:09; Nicole Barto, 38:10; Jennifer Vasicek, 39:08; Susan McDowell, 39:16; Shelley Smith, 39:32; Kristine Wolff, 39:45; Nicole Graff, 40:39; Meghan Moore, 40:47; Louise Capizzi, 40:53; James Coyle, 40:53; Bruce Cover, 40:54; Gretchen Bernatz, 40:56; Lisa Bogacz, 41:37; Abbie Gannon, 42:02; Paul Gannon, 42:02; Jean Mentzer, 42:41; Lisa Putney, 43:23; Kimberly Salancy, 43:56; Jennifer Loeffler, 44:01; Laura Bleiel, 44:02; Valerie Sands, 44:02; Jennifer Eyerman, 44:06; Carol Eyerman, 44:07; Candice Eyerman, 44:08; Nicoletta Bleiel, 44:11; Katie Gannon, 44:33; Kathy Schupp, 44:38; Barb Gannon, 44:39; Kristen Lesniewski, 44:45; Debra Perry, 46:07; Henry Nelson, 47:22; Kathy Nelson, 47:22; Kathryn Porter, 47:58; Mary Jo Crail, 47:45; Constance Nichols, 48:21; Edward Crail, 48:31; Kristi Torba, 48:38; Lori Brothersw, 48:43; Haley Hackett, 50:09; Donna Cahall, 50:16; Stanley Klick, 50:47; Dan Monhemius, 50:53; George Perry, 54:34; Kathleen Gordon, 54:39; Elaine Wolford, 54:40; Noah Weiland, 57:51; Kelly Porter, 57:53

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle