As weather turns colder and days grow short, fewer races appear on the calendar. And that’s a good thing.

After a full season of training and racing, runners, especially those who have stretched their physical and mental limits, are ready to rest and recover. That doesn’t mean putting your feet up and filling up on comfort food. It does mean changing focus from dedicated training and challenging races to a more relaxed, less self-centered running.

Give back. Most runners take time off after running a marathon or half. Use that down time to volunteer at a local late fall event. Volunteering is a good way to give back to those in our community who support our running habit year round.

Give more. Attend an event not to race, but to support a good cause. You could help a national charity by running Fight for Life 5k in Apollo this month for American Cancer Society or Clint Puller Toy Run 5k in Meadville for Toys for Tots. Or help a local cause like the Seneca Valley High School cross country program by running the Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k on Thanksgiving Day in Graham Park, Cranberry Township.

Join a pace team. A couple of my faster friends used their post-marathon down time to pace others through the recent EQT 10-Miler. While a 7:30 per mile pace is beyond many of our abilities, it was an easy run for these guys.

Pacing can be challenging, but rewarding. Pacers are expected to bring pace group participants across the finish line in just under their advertised time. If you’d like to become a pacer, you’ll want to contact a larger and usually longer race. Don’t overestimate your abilities; the pace should feel easy. Remember, this is your down time.

Start your own pace group. Most of the local large races are finished for this year, but you could offer to pace a friend through a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.

Once again, this is your rest period. Your sole purpose in this event is to support your friends. Resist the urge to race and be clear about their goals before the start or face an unhappy ending to the event (and maybe your running friendship.)

Reconnect with your family. Training and racing are selfish pursuits. Your family, especially if they are not runners, put up with a lot — grab’n’go meals, long car rides to races in strange places and loads of smelly laundry.

Use this rest time to have some active fun with the family. Run with the kids in a holiday costume run such as Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k on Nov. 19 or dress as your favorite superhero for the Downtown Warren Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving Day. If your kids aren’t up to running a full 5k, try Dec. 3rd’s Reindeer 5k in Harmony which features 1 mile, ½ mile and ¼ mile runs for kids or Lakeview Area Library 5k in Stoneboro which includes a ¼ mile kids fun run and kids fest.

Try something new. Training, especially for long races, requires hours of dedicated running which leaves little time or energy for anything else. Downtime is a great time to try something new. Take a spinning class, explore yoga or run gently on our fine western PA trails. Go it alone for the solitude or join in a group run in Hampton Township on the Rachel Carson Trail on Black Friday.

Learning a new activity is both challenging and beneficial to the brain and the body. In a few weeks, you’ll come back to training mentally fresh and physically stronger.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Fall Classic 5k and 10k, Kittanning. Starts at new YMCA. briggle@rgsymca.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Chase Away Hunger 5k, Beaver Falls. Rolling course through Brush Creek Park. Oakgrove5k@gmail.com

Nov.19, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k, Apollo. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.org

Nov. 19, 10 a.m.: Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k, Foxburg. Also Thanksgiving themed costume contest. 724-659-3431 or foxburgfreelibrary@gmail.com

Nov. 24, 7:30 a.m.: The “Harry Trotter” 10k and 5k, Erie. Also 5k starting at 9 A.M. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Beach 1. 814-881-0060 or davecomi@erierunnersclub.org

Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Choice of 5 miles, 5k or 1 mile fun run/walk starting at PNC Park. bmiller@ymcapgh.org

Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m.: Downtown Warren Turkey Trot 5k, Warren. Dress as your favorite super-hero. 814-688-0393 or jesarnold1967@gmail.com

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Ebensburg. www.ebensburgrunners.org

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: 20th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10k and 5k, Elwood City. 5k starts at 10:15 A.M. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.com

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park benefits Seneca Valley cross country. 724-272-4958 or kbrhens@zoominternet.net

Nov. 24, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble 5k, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park. 724-346-4637 or glackey@eglolaw.com

Nov. 25, 11 a.m.: Black Friday Trail Run, Hampton Township. Free group trail run on Rachel Carson Trail starts at Orchard/Ling Pavilion in Hampton Community Park. www.rachelcarsontrails.org

Nov. 26, 10 a.m.: WALKer Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. 814-382-3839 or lauriekurt@gmail.com

Dec. 3, 9 a.m.: Reindeer 5k, Harmony. Also kids 1 mile, ½ mile and ¼ mile runs at 10 A.M. getfitfamilies.com

Dec. 3, 9 a.m.: Oil City’s Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. Out and back course. 814-677-3152 or dalem65@msn.com

Dec. 4, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. 570-690-3772 or nvhalfmarathon@gmail.com

Dec. 3, 10 a.m.: Lakeview Area Public Library Jingle Bell 5k, Fun Run and Kid Fest, Stoneboro. Kids half-mile run at 11 A.M. 724-988-8410 or beckiwilliams@hotmail.com

Dec. 10, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. 814-774-3209 or bigwhitetrailer.com/register

Dec. 11, 9 a.m.: Trot for Tots 5k, Oakdale. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunnersracing.com

Dec. 11, 9:45 a.m.: Trot for Tots 10k, Oakdale. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunnersracing.com

Dec.11, 11 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Benefits Toys for Tots. 724-992-9154 or michaelharry40@hotmail.com

Race results

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Oct.15 (finishers under 2:10:00): Steelton Flynn, 1st Overall M, 1:15:26; Ean King, 2nd Overall M, 1:16:24; Sara Zambotti, 1st Overall W, 1:18:42; Gar Bercury, 3rd Masters M, 1:22:33; Catherine Hrach, 2nd Masters W, 1:36:56; John Reed, 1st 19 & Under M, 1:26:09; Tim Monfre, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:27:16; Maria Scherer, 1st 19 & Under W, 1:33:23; Olivia Reddick, 1st 20-24 W, 1:33:26; Talia Scherer, 2nd 20-24 W, 1:37:32; Jill Takach, 1st 50-54 W, 1:39:45; Gillian Scott, 1st 40-44 W, 1:40:30; Christie Beaver, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:44:07; Robert Todd, 2nd 60-64 M, 1:46:01; Mason James, 1st 20-24 M, 1:48:57; Patty Schmidt, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:50:05; Micci Hutterer, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:51:31; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60-64 W, 2:03:16; Lois Mcmichael, 3rd 60-64 W, 2:20:48; Betty Dillaman, 2nd 65-69 W, 2:37:42; Matthew Sudak, 1:26:14; Roger Lutz, 1:29:11; Andrew Defusco, 1:30:32; Don Polito, 1:30:43; John Armstrong, 1:31:32; Adam Shoup, 1:31:33; Dan Nguyen, 1:33:41; Jeff Leya, 1:34:10; Josh Venderlic, 1:34:20; Stephen Hepler, 1:34:37; Matthew Corbin, 1:34:53; Jeff Conaway, 1:35:46; Lori Fromlak, 1:35:52; Michael Fabrizzi, 1:36:17; Greg Marburger, 1:36:18; Mark Knapp, 1:36:59; Daniel Beggs, 1:37:22; Jennifer Bole, 1:37:23; Scott Stoner, 1:37:29; Christopher Mager, 1:37:50; Chris Cutone, 1:37:55; Caleb Rauscher, 1:38:00; Jack Kelley, 1:38:24; Henry Bernacki, 1:38:25; Gwendolyn Musser, 1:38:46; Bob Pawlowski, 1:38:52; William Marsh, 1:39:56; Samuel Whalen, 1:39:58; Josh Seitz, 1:41:31; Bill Schwalm, 1:41:39; David Portman, 1:42:20; Earlene Allshouse, 1:42:41; Jim Csonka, 1:42:47; Paul Halenda, 1:43:33; John Brock, 1:44:03; Amanda Sulesky, 1:44:19; Crystal Ranson, 1:44:19; Joseph Beilstein, 1:44:28; John Crum, 1:44:29; Matthew Deacon, 1:44:30; Andrew Laux, 1:44:31; Diane Bucknum, 1:44:59; Gregory Reed, 1:45:30; Brittni Geibel, 1:45:46; Laura Seitz, 1:46:00; Kristin Andreyo, 1:46:03; Evan Andreyo, 1:46:04; Karl Johnson, 1:46:33; Alysia Cagno, 1:47:07; Tess Haverstick, 1:48:14; Ben Craven, 1:48:50; Jen Kasperowicz, 1:48:52; Tracey Smith. 1:49:00; Lisa Lamm, 1:49:28; Abby Cunningham, 1:49:40; Jon Haverstick, 1:50:06; January Scheidlmeier, 1:50:07; Ashley Holman, 1:50:07; Kenny Mcgee, 1:50:29; Anne Bernacki, 1:51:06; Michael Corcoran, 1:51:13; Rick Mckain, 1:51:21; David White, 1:51:34; Abbey Walsh, 1:51:36; Conlan Walsh, 1:51:37; Coleen Whalen, 1:51:58; Marilyn Larocca, 1:52:02; Anthony Beilstein, 1:52:02; Amanda Fleming, 1:52:03; Lindsay Defelice, 1:52:07; Joelle Scarnati, 1:52:23; Connie Hoffer, 1:52:38; Andra Titus, 1:52:42; Mike Fagan. 1:52:43; Troy Demaster, 1:52:49; Chuck Sarver, 1:52:52; Brian Lasko, 1:52:56; Kristy Tully, 1:52:58; Michael Yurko, 1:53:16; Garrett Nogan, 1:53:23; Wendy Wick, 1:53:24; Abhijit Dixit, 1:53:39; Keath Sherbondy, 1:54:23; Trish Parkhill, 1:54:28; Keith Tarbi, 1:55:12; Thomas Minnock, 1:55:14; David Petruska, 1:55:19; Tyler Gourley, 1:55:51; David Mcclelland, 1:56:02; Marie Pelloni, 1:56:21; Adam Benjamin, 1:56:33; Jenny Aprile, 1:56:40; Bill Swanik, 1:57:38; Anne Schleiden, 1:58:05; Ryanne Palermo, 1:58:06; Danielle Smith, 1:58:07; Bret Sather, 1:58:14; Brian Daugherty, 1:58:22; Stacy Devivo, 1:58:22; Pam Daugherty, 1:58:23; Cindy Edkins, 1:58:25; Julie Skal, 1:58:54; Ashley Boyers, 1:59:04; Emily Spurk, 1:59:22; Matt Smith, 1:59:38; Allison Cummings, 1:59:43; Kole Kuharic, 2:00:14; Melissa Conjack, 2:00:42; Ellie Tourney, 2:00:51; Don Dell, 2:01:00; Elinore Kneidinger, 2:01:14; Bethany Sauers, 2:02:11; Natalie Shaffer, 2:02:18; Nick Barker, 2:02:38; Charles Tanner, 2:03:08; Will Gramlich, 2:03:14; Amy Scott, 2:03:21; Ashley Benjamin, 2:03:21; Amy Lutz, 2:03:47; Amy Stinelli, 2:03:47; Jonathan Minteer, 2:03:58; Jaime Schmitt, 2:04:00; Philip Crawford, 2:04:02; Christina Mcnamara, 2:04:02; Katherine Colton, 2:04:35; Mary Siegel, 2:04:38; Luke Deemer, 2:04:39; Jodi Van Leer, 2:05:06; Nick Reitz, 2:05:45; Robert Knobeloch, 2:06:01; Chris Yuhouse, 2:06:05; Lesley Bachman, 2:06:24; Leigh Baxter, 2:06:30; Katie Mangieri, 2:07:14; Leanne Finney, 2:07:57; Eric Finney, 2:07:57; Johannah Scott, 2:07:57; Nichol Murray, 2:08:36; Victor Wilczynski, 2:08:39; Michael Canonaco, 2:08:49; Holly Matsko, 2:08:51; Michelle Brochetti, 2:08:54; Michael Mcnamara, 2:08:56; Erik Bardy, 2:09:05; Heather Venderlic, 2:09:19; Jessica Kosanovich, 2:09:35; Shannon Tomaszewski, 2:09:35

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.