I love to see the holiday lights, hear the joyous and thoughtful sounds of the season and experience the warmth of friends and family as we celebrate Christmas together. As the song says, “These are a few of my favorite things.”

But my least favorite things about the season are the hustle and hassle of Christmas shopping, the tight schedule of activities and the melancholy of remembering Christmases gone by and loved ones far away. I’m not actually a Grinch, but sometimes I act like one, especially when I can’t run away from the Christmas crunch.

Stress. The stresses and responsibilities of holiday preparation leave us craving the physical and mental relief of running. But just when we need a run the most, time constraints prevent us from getting out for our daily training. That piles on more stress as we regret unfinished workouts and plummeting fitness graphs.

Runners already know that exercise is one of the best remedies for stress. Although it’s not much for runners used to putting in miles and hours of strenuous activity, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise per week for general health. That’s a little more than 20 minutes per day.

If you find that you don’t have time for that 2-hour long run during the Christmas crush, don’t add to your stress by fretting over it. Settle for a quick half hour on the treadmill or take Fido for a brisk walk. Those few minutes and miles may not lead to peak performance, but you’ll be on track to resume training in January.

Allostasis. The concept of allostasis proposes that the body draws from several systems in order to survive at a steady state. That means that we only have so much mental and physical energy to go around.

Responding to stress requires more of all our systems. Stress can be hard on the nervous, cardiac, digestive and immune systems as well as our social systems. Overstress can lead to fatigue, elevated heart rate and illness — symptoms similar to those of over-training.

Rather than add to your stress level by running or exercising harder, focus on getting adequate rest during the holidays. Try to get to bed at the same time each day. And limit the late evening intake of rich holiday foods and alcoholic drinks which lead to poor sleep.

Outdoors. As reported in Harvard Medical School’s Health Publishing, spending 20 minutes connecting with nature helps lower stress hormone levels with 20-30 minutes associated with the largest drop in cortisol levels.

It may be worth a short drive to one of our many local parks for a run on a scenic trail. Or take the family for a walk in the park before heading to Grandma’s for Christmas dinner. (Be sure to take a leash for Fido.)

If you head to the woods, especially when alone, dress for the weather and the weather report. And dress in highly visible colors in case your natural area allows hunting.

Run through the lights. One of my favorite December activities is to tour the local holiday light displays on foot. Whether you head out alone through your neighborhood streets, accompany friends and family on a rambling search for the best local display or join an organized tour of Pittsburgh’s downtown, it’s a magical time.

No matter where you run at night, be sure that you can see and, just as important, that you can be seen. And remember, Christmas comes once a year. Slow down and enjoy the spirit of the season. We’ll have plenty of time to train in January.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Reindeer 5k, 1 Mile and ½ Mile, Zelienople. 1-Mile race starts at 10:45 A.M., ½ mile start follows. getfitfamilies.com/reindeer-race/

Sunday, 10 a.m.: New Florence Festivus for the Rest of Us 5k, New Florence. Also Ruck division and virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewFlorence/NewFlorenceFestivus5k

Dec. 24, 10 a.m.: The Christmas Eve 5k, Allison Park. Christmas-themed 5k starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/TheChristmasEve5k

Dec. 31, 10 a.m.: North Park Resolution Run 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/WolfCreekResolutionRun

Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Also 1-Mile Fun Run. Part of New Year’s Eve celebration. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/HarmonySilvester5K

Dec. 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run or walk through the holiday lights at Lakemont Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Altoona/TwilightRace

Jan.1, 10 a.m.: Set Your Year on Fire 5k Run, Walk and Ruck, Ligonier. Also virtual options. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ligonier/SetYourYearOnFire5k2023

Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners Club New Year’s Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. Run on park roads. Dan.a@erierunners.club or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ERCNewYearsDay5Milerace

Jan. 1, 11 a.m.: New Year’s Resolution Run 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Oakdale. Run or walk on Panhandle Rail Trail. First 150 registered receive a commemorative beanie. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/NewYearsResolutionRun5Kand1MileFamilyFunWalk?rsus=100-200-a3b7d913-64dc-44a8-aa76-173bb76ce1c2

Jan.7, 10 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k, Hermitage. Run on paved path surrounding LindenPointe Business Park. wolfcreektrackclub.com/event/resolution-run-5k-lindenpointe/

Jan.8, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, Hampton Township. Starts at North Park Lodge. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Frigid5Miler

Jan. 14, 9 a.m.: North Park Half Marathon, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse, Two loops around the lake. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/NorthParkHalfMarathon

Jan.14, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Starts at Prickett’s Fort State Park, runs on 2 rail trails. runtoread@hotmail.com or runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fairmont/RuntoReadHalfMarathon

Jan. 28, 10 a.m.: Groundhog Day 4 Mile, Punxsutawney, Run to Gobbler’s Knob and back. Collector coins to all finishers. 814-938-6362 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/GroundhogJog4MileRunWalk

Feb. 4, 9 a.m.: Groundhog Day 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/GroundhogDay5kPGH

Oil Creek 100 Miler, Oct. 15: Clinton Hepleer, 1st Overall M, 21:54:11; Rebecca Kosek, 1st Overall W, 22:19:02; Michael Jones, 31:48:35

Oil Creek 100k, Oct. 15: Reagan McCoy, 1st Overall M, 10:05:21; Rhoda Smoke, 1st Overall W, 11:27:05

Oil Creek 50k, Oct. 15: Dan Goldstein, 1st Overall M, 4:54:35; Melissa Goodman, 1st Overall W, 5:35:24; Traci Hanna, 6:23:10; Mike Eisenman, 8:08:26; Jane Kone, 8:21:19; David Poeta, Jr., 12:08:02

Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run 50k, Oct. 15: Dana Wood, 1st Overall M, 6:04:20; Jessica Weinman, 1st Overall W, 6:43:05

Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run 25k, Oct. 15: Ethan Swope, 1st Overall M, 2:03:03; Cleo Bradybaugh, 1st Overall W, 2:43:47; Ben Esh, 2nd 20-29 M, 2:15:56; Samuel Riehl, 2nd 19 & Under M, 2:28:56; Eric Hager, 1st 40-49 M, 2:34:46; Reuben Pink, 2nd 40-49 M, 3:13:54

Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run 12k, Oct. 15: Saul Solveson, 1st Overall M, 1:04:42; Eugenia Clark, 1st Overall W, 1:13:18; Tim Androlonis, 1st 60+ M, 1:14:03

Preston Park Trail 5k, Oct. 23: Riley McGee, 1st Overall M, 21:18; Kim Platt, 1st Overall W, 23:53; Anthony Miller, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:50; Vern Morrow, 1st 50-59 M, 21:52; Jacob Tacinch, 1st 20-29 M, 22:20; Ted Zablocki, 2nd 50-59 M, 24:00; Lucas Bowser, 1st 14 & Under M, 24:10; James Dankovich, 3rd 50-59 M, 24:32; Elizabeth Keffalas, 1st 14 & Under W, 24:38; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1st 40-49 W, 25:25; Jordan Eckenrode, 2nd 14 & Under M, 26:17; Val McGee, 2nd 40-49 W, 26:21; John Dileo, 1st 40-49 M, 26:29; Cooper Rauschenberger, 3rd 14 & Under M, 26:37; Dylan Swidzinski, 2nd 20-29 M, 26:37; Jeremy Cameron, 2nd 40-49 M, 26:44; Kelsey Burris, 1st 20-29 W, 27:05; John Kelly, 3rd 20-29 M, 27:45; Beth Graham, 1st 30-39 W, 28:03; Christina Dreher, 2nd 20-29 W, 28:24; Carolyn Grider, 3rd 40-49 W, 28:47; Jen Beachem, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:49; Jennifer Eckenrode, 3rd 30-39 W, 30:52; Nicholas Ashendon, 2nd 60+ M, 32:56; Camryn Bowser, 2nd 14 & Under W, 32:47; Susan Landgraf, 1st 50-59 W, 32:52; Vicki Brendlinger, 1st 60+ W, 32:56; Patricia Neubert, 2nd 60+ W, 33:00; Susan Kushnereit, 3rd 60+ W, 33:26; Emma Stokes, 3rd 20-29 W, 33:44; Casey Clouse, 1st 15-19 M, 36:33; Julia Murray, 2nd 50-59 W, 37:11; David Lockerman, 3rd 60+ M, 38:02; Kenley Graham, 3rd 14 & Under W, 41:36; Janice Pakozdi-Luffy, 3rd 50-59 W, 47:50; Alex Keffalas, 25:10; Jim Gallagher, 25:19; Patrick Kelly, 27:41; Eric Hortert, 27:59; Dane Winkler, 30:28; Mandy James, 30:31; Erin Kohlmeyer, 31:39; Daniel Cleary, 31:43; Nikki Winkler, 32:16; Lori Fromlak, 32:37; Angela Giori, 32:38; Tabitha Bowser, 32:40; Randy Bowser, 33:50; Lauren Bresnahan, 35:31; Shannon Weber, 35:31; Camden Rauschenberger, 35:48; Chelsea Lyngarkos, 36:38; Cameron Smith, 36:40; Becky Clouse, 36:47; David Murray, 37:32; Emily Clouse, 41:36; Krista Potter, 42:10; Joseph Tomko, 42:18; Breanna Sawyer, 43:29; Lawrence Wilson, 45:39; Marty Luffy, 47:55; Sherry Lynn, 47:56; Christina Reamer, 49:28; Dez Csizmadia, 58:38; Julia Kelly, 58:40; Ben Valletto, 1:03:34; Julie Stanley, 1:03:54; Julie Ryan, 1:03:55; Sarabeth Swain, 1:03:55; Paisley Veith, 1:07:38; Wyatt Veith, 1:07:40; Emily Veith, 1:07:40; Juliette Wells, 1:07:42; Zach Veith, 1:07:42; Dianna Allen, 1:10:48

Pittsburgh Propel Schools Trick or Trot 5k, Oct. 30: Braden Donovan, 1st Overall M, 17:25; Miriam Shaw, 1st Overall W, 22:04; Herb Cratty, 1st 50-59 M, 22:23; Colton Hinkle, 32:09; Zoe Faul, 32:09

3rd Annual South Ridge Trail Challenge 20k, Oct. 30: Lucas McIntire, 1st Overall M, 1:46:29; Maria Reviello, 1st Overall W, 1:58:17; Mark Casteel, 2:11:32; Denise Shearer, 2:42:41; Cameron Brookins, 2:42:41; Tina Benedek-Grimm, 2:47:59; Tim Richards, 3:38:11; Autumn Richards, 3:38:11

3rd Annual South Ridge Trail Challenge 10k, Oct. 30: Patrick Stokes, 1st Overall M, 51:51; Lincoln Martin, 3rd Overall M, 56:08; Dana McGinnis, 1st Overall W, 58:33; Josh Gretz, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:14:35; Caleb Gretz, 2nd 11-19 M, 1:14:36; Tyler Ross, 57:55; Brian Rodgers, 1:19:32; Nathan Tharnish, 1:19:43; Francis O’Connor, 1:24:23

3rd Annual South Ridge Trail Challenge 5k, Oct. 30: Nicholas Phillips, 1at Overall M, 28:50; Caroline Pellegrini, 1st Overall W, 32:31; William Szabo, 2nd 20-29 M, 43:32

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle