My cats love the outdoors.

At the crack of dawn, they’re meowing at the door, ready to dash out for a day of adventure in the woods — tiger in the grass, panther in the trees, etc. Just like kids on summer vacation, Sweetie and Phred don’t come back until I call them for dinner.

But this week was different. Each day I opened the door at 7 a.m. and they darted out — and turned around, beaten back by the frigid temperatures and a wintry mix from the skies. They spent the rest of the day alternately gazing longingly out the window and chasing each other’s tails.

I understand completely. This week of sudden winter weather has driven me inside, too. Like my cats, I know I should be outside having fun, but I just can’t face the elements.

But just because I can’t bring myself to run outdoors doesn’t mean I ignore my training and fitness. Unlike the cats, I have a car. I can explore other fitness venues beyond my own backyard.

I checked my long run off the training calendar with Saturday’s long run. With that mileage in the bank, I set out to discover other warmer activities that would enhance my running routine.

I began the week with a cardio/core workout at the new Sports Performance Center at the UPMC Lemieux Center in Cranberry. The cardio circuit of jump rope, spinning, treadmill and battle ropes wasn’t long enough to take the place of a running workout, but definitely had my heart beating at maximum in no time.

The trainers spent the better part of the hour session leading the group through a variety of core strengthening exercises. A strong core is essential to efficient running and running alone does nothing to strengthen the core.

In fact, running exclusively overemphasizes certain sets of muscles such as calves and hamstrings to the detriment of others.

The trainers explained that core exercises were designed to build a stronger base from which to run and put the group through a series of squats, lunges, pulls and lifts. Each set wasn’t difficult to accomplish, but based on muscle soreness the next day, I could tell I’d worked some neglected body parts.

The next day, I had intended to hit the road to try out my new solid core, but 34 degrees and rain kept me housebound. Instead of sloshing through the bone chilling cold and damp, I climbed onto the exercise bike for an interval workout which raised my heart rate and quickened leg turnover.

The following day, I returned to the Sports Performance Center for a lesson not in running, but in how to stay running injury free. The trainer emphasized warming up before each run and using foam roller and a small ball to break up adhesions that develop from days, weeks, years of running. He also watched me run and suggested a few exercises to straighten out an imbalance that caused me to run slightly knock-kneed.

I ended my week with a power yoga session that emphasized both strength and balance. Balance is often neglected, but is necessary for efficient running. I spent an hour building leg and hip strength with lunges and positions like dancer and airplane which combine balance with isolation of lower body muscles along with other positions to aid flexibility.

On Saturday, I expected to pay for my week of non-running and anticipated a miserably slow jog. Instead, it seemed that my off-road strengthening, stretching and rolling had already made a difference in my form and my exer-cycling hadn’t hurt my endurance. I ran straighter and taller, and by the end of ten miles, I still had strength to power rather than crawl up the final hill.

Alternative activities won’t take the place of running, but they can make us better runners. And it’s a lot more fun than staring out the window waiting for spring.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Runs, Valencia. Run on rolling country roads. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Running Group Runs, Seven Fields. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.: Mojo Trail Nuts Group Runs, North Park. Run on North Park trails. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Feb. 13, 9 a.m.: RSG1 Valentine’s Day Race, North Park. Choice of 5k, 10k, 15k. 724-272-8797 or samra.foundation@gmail.com. Online registration at active.com

Feb. 13, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase, Pittsburgh. Run on North Shore starts near Heinz Field. 412-431-7079 or bridget.haney@comop.org

Feb. 13, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Tromp, Sharpsville. Out and back on rail trail, first race of PREP-4-PITT series. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org. Online registration at RaceIt.com

Feb. 13, 1 p.m: Frozen 5k and 1 Mile Walk, Jamestown. 724-932-3186, ext. 1319 or muskie5k@yahoo.com

Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Predict your pace per mile for the race of 4 to 6 miles starting at Presque Isle Rotary Pavilion. Erierunners.club

Feb. 20, 9 a.m.: Winter Sprinter 4 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Canfield, OH. Also 2 mile walk beginning at 9:45 A.M. slandy@meridianhealthcare.net or register online at meridianhealthcare.net

March 5, 11 a.m.: Sixth Annual Ellport Borough Community Winter Wonderland 5k, Ellwood City. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 6, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5k, Youngstown, OH. 330-727-6070 or ytownrunners.org

May 1, 7 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon, Pittsburgh. Price increases February 3. thepittsburghmarathon.com

Sept. 25, 8 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k and 5k, Pittsburgh. Discounted registration until March 31. 412-255-2493 or rungreatrace.com

Oct. 15: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Sarver. Registration is now open. Butlerfreeporttrail.org

Race results

Trot for Tots 5k, Dec. 6: Sam Snodgrass, 1st Overall M, 16:30; Rachel Oneill, 1st Overall W, 19:35; Jeffrey Ward, 3rd 40-44 M, 20:50; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 21:35; Kate Hrach, 1st 45-49 W, 22:24; Holly Matsko, 1st 35-39 W, 24:14; Katherine Colton, 25:08; Mary Siegel, 25:53

Trot for Tots 10k, Dec. 6: Brian Beatty, 1st Overall M, 37:40; Nicole Hilton, 1st Overall W, 40:15; Jeffrey Ward, 1st 40-49 M, 47:55; Katherine Colton, 58:42; Holly Matsko, 58:53; Mary Siegel, 59:01

Autism Frostbite 5k, Dec. 6: Mr Overbeck, 1st Overall M, 19:24; Chen Lo, 1st Overall W, 20:29; Randon Santa, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:21; Maria Dysert, 1st 19 & Under W, 25:02; Lori McClafferty, 1st 50-59 W, 26:31; Rachel Rutkoski, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:43; Julie Anderson, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:57; Linda Robash, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:22; Keith Heinl, 26:59; Adam Auchey, 27:21; William Arrowsmith, 31:32; Cassandra Pencek, 32:04; Amber Auchey, 32:09; Megan McDowell, 33:15; Emma Robash, 33:15; Carly Bruno, 33:19; Dana Sabo, 33:35; Colleen Wilson, 33:41; Jennifer Moreau, 33:43; Elena Dysert, 33:48; Justine Lewis, 35:23; Abbigail Rycroft, 37:07; Lidija Christy, 37:48; Zack Rycroft, 37:58; Anne Rycroft, 38:00; Megan Dailey, 38:03; Melissa Patrick, 40:11; Juliana Patrick, 40:22

Jingle Bell Run 5k, Dec. 13: Ryan Lerda, 1st Overall M, 17:21; Nicole Hilton, 1st Overall W, 18:12; Dominic Wyzomirski, 18:21; Brent Collins, 20:41; Jonathan Bost, 20:43; Lizzy White, 21:37; Carly Goodrich, 22:38; Kate Hrach, 22:42; Brooke Molde, 23:08; Jill Takach, 23:09; Paul Benson, 24:51; Regis Russo, 24:53; Edward Jenkins, 25:00; Jennifer McNabb, 25:17; G.Ronald Ripper, 25:32; Pam Huston, 25:57; Victoria Huston, 26:30; Alexander Hein, 26:30; Michael McNamara, 26:53; Michael Canonaco, 27:03; Larry Laughlin, 27:11; Scott Huber, 28:35; Timmy Tierney, 28:46; Janet Pudlo, 29:08; Karen Steffanina, 29:09; Barbara Ford, 29:36; Carly Jackson, 29:37; Logan Haughey, 30:14; Carmine DeCarlo, 30:21; Mark Bellows, 30:22; Lara Hudek, 30:24; Tricia Jenkins, 30:40; Edd Hudek, 31:10; Deborah Laughlin, 31:39; Abigail Hardt, 31:46; Amber Headley, 33:11; Stephanie Lautenbacher, 33:24; Kristie Corrigan, 33:25; Trinko Robin, 33:34; Beth Healy, 33:34; Vickie Turner, 33:35; Larissa Cassano, 34:05; Joni Tierney, 34:13; Melissa Erdice, 35:19; Jerry Haughey, 35:42; Lois Adams, 35:55; Derick Florian, 36:19; Kayla Florian, 36:19; Frederick Florian, 36:54; Carrie Dever, 36:58; Shelly Bell, 37:03; Michelle Brochetti, 37:03; Amanda Hardt, 38:05; Sue Harst, 38:05; Eugene Logan, 38:05; Jim McCaffrey, 38:08; Tom Turner, 38:54; Robin Hein, 40:20; Debbie Berry, 41:24; Carolyn Cosco, 41:28; Deborah Kelly, 41:39; Karen Florian, 42:17; Jeremy Minto, 42:41; Tina Roth, 42:41; Carol Schwaderer, 46:36; Dave Williams, 46:46; Celeste Garner, 47:05; Noah Logan, 47:12; William Schwaderer, 48:03; Charles Winek, 50:24; Paul Roth, 50:28; Tracy Roth, 50:28; Melissa Garner Perez, 50:35; Amanda Marburger, 50:59; Katy Kimmel, 51:01; Mary Winek, 51:12; Carolyn Walker, 52:40; Judy Haughey, 52:53; Kara Flynn, 53:39; Amanda Hohenberger, 56:36; Tracey Haughey, 58:40

Jingle Bell 1 Mile Walk, Dec. 13: Ashley Felix, 1st Overall, 5:45; Owen Close, 9:32; Brian Sabo, 17:15; Sean Sabo, 17:16; Kelsey Graham, 17:48; Carrie Sabo, 18:41

Clint Puller 5k, Dec. 13: Matthew Puleio, 1st Overall M, 17:47; Jeannette Boyd, 1st Overall W, 20:10; Caleb Rauscher, 1st 30-39 M, 22:36; Mark Perrine, 2nd 60+ M, 27:04; Jaclyn Rauscher, 44:44

Volant Old Fashioned Christmas 5k, Dec. 19: Matthew Puleio, 1st Overall M, 17:50; Rachel Oneil, 1st Overall W, 20:23; Brian Buchan, 1st 40-44 M, 19:37; Timothy Wyant, 1st 45-49 M, 21:21; John Armstrong, 1st 50-54 M, 21:40; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:53; Renee Goodman, 1st 50-54 W, 23:40; Jinny Hertweck, 1st 40-44 W, 25:24; Cindy Suber, 2nd 55-59 W, 27:35; Dezso Csizmadia, 3rd 70+ M, 32:07; Ann Cheman, 2nd 60-64 W, 32:48; Janelle Fumerola, 3rd 40-44 W, 33:44; Vickie Turner, 3rd 60-64 W, 34:45; Brad Goodman, 24:41; Cory Gibson, 25:43; William Woods, 27:36; Debra Kuminkoski, 31:29; Robin Trinko, 34:45; Wade Fisher, 36:05; Tom Turner, 41:19; Melanie Bartel, 46:12; Darcie Paule, 46:13; Kim Kenetz, 46:37

Volant Old Fashioned Christmas Kids Race, Dec. 19: Mia Dzurenda, 1st Overall W, 1:21; Tessa Reynolds, 1:26; Anne Fleeger, 1:44; Hannah Button, 1:47

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. E-mail bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.