It should have been one of the best days of the year. Instead, it was a big frozen zero on my brand new 2015 training log.

I, like so many others, look forward to the first Saturday of the new year. It’s the traditional first day of training for the Pittsburgh Marathon and other spring events.

But even those of us who aren’t planning to tackle 26.2 miles appreciate the significance of the day. It represents new beginnings, new horizons, new possibilities. That first step out of the parking lot and onto the road is a step into the future.

In the six years my running group has trained together, we haven’t missed an opening day. One year, we bundled up to run against sub-zero howling winds. We cut another first-day run short after slipping and sliding through inches of thick snow and slush --- a tough workout at half the miles.

Those terrible conditions were truly tests of our determination and will. It seemed just what we needed to begin the long journey of marathon training. We laughed in the face of adversity and trudged on.

One year we were blessed to run on dry roads. And then there was that golden first day of brilliant blue sky, light snow swirling like diamonds in crisp air. We talked and laughed through the long run, snorting steam like a herd of horses the entire way.

But not this year. On Friday night I checked the weather, then carefully laid out clothes for the predicted chilly, wet conditions. Before bedtime, I prepared my coffee pot for the morning, acknowledging the 8 a.m. start.

I awoke before the alarm to a dull pinging on my bedroom roof and got up for a closer look. When I opened the door, my two cats dashed out --- and promptly skidded off their feet on the glassy ice of the patio.

The wide-eyed cats dashed back inside and I met them in the kitchen. Waiting for the coffee to perk, I served kitty breakfast, then hopefully searched my phone for current and future weather.

Weather alerts for freezing rain and sleet popped up immediately along with Facebook alerts from members of my running group looking for travel advice. It seemed that the entire region was covered in ice. Finally, we came to the realization that our first day of training would be cancelled for safety’s sake for the first time ever.

Of course, we were disappointed. But our frustration quickly turned to determination as alternate plans were made. Someone suggested a run later in the day when temperatures rose above freezing. Others offered to do the initial training run a day late. Some planned to meet for a trail run on Sunday afternoon. And still others chose the safety of treadmill or exercise bike.

On Sunday evening the group met again — not in person, but on Facebook. There were posts about rainy Saturday afternoon miles, photos of muddy trail shoes and happy Sunday afternoon road runners, maps of routes run and laments about long runs on the “dreadmill.”

It seems that most people had managed to start the training year on the traditional weekend one way or another. A run is a run no matter where or how you do it.

It also seems that our group had done the first training together, even if only on Facebook. We shared the stories, the images, the miles. A group is a group no matter how it’s connected.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Winter weekly run. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Jan. 11, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, North Park. Starts at North Park Lodge. 412-490-0881 or events@eliterunners.com

Jan. 11, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, VW. Run through Prickett’s Fort State Park. 304-366-6055 or run2read@yahoo.com

Jan. 17, 10 a.m..: Somerset Fire and Ice 5k Run and Walk, Somerset. Part of community’s winter festival. 814-445-6213 or dmapes40@yahoo.com

Jan. 17, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks Challenge 2.5 Mile, 5 Mile or 10 Mile, Hermitage. Run entirely in Buhl Farms Park. 724-456-2373 or pittsmullet@verizon.net

Jan. 18, 10 a.m.: Autism Frostbite 5K, North Park. Starts at Boathouse. 412-980-0085 or tj@positivemovementz.com

Jan. 18, 10 a.m.: Bushwacker’s Nightmare Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 5K or 10K starting at South Park Fairgrounds. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

Feb. 8, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle Rotary Pavilion, awards based on closest to predicted time. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club

Feb. 8, 1 p.m.: Snowfest 3.5 Mile Trail Run, Mifflinburg. Trail run during 14th Annual Snowfest at RB Winter State Park. Fox.lori1188@yahoo.com

Feb. 14, 9 a.m.: Valentine’s Day 5K, 10K, 15K Race, North Park. Starts at Boathouse. 724-272-8797 or samra.foundation@gmail.com

Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase, Pittsburgh. Starts on North Shore Trail near Heinz Field. 412-431-7079 or bridget.haney@comop.org

Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-1: Trout Island Tromp, Sharpsville. Run on rail trail. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: Cold Hands Warm Heart 5K Run/ Walk, Health and Fitness Fair Cook-Off, Indiana. 724-464-3042 or chwhrace@gmail.com

Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: Jager’s Dog Park 5K, Somerset. 814-445-6213 or dmapes40@yahoo.com

Feb. 21, 11 a.m.: Runnin’ Outta Our Mine 5K, Wampum. Run through underground storage facility. www.wampumunderground.com

Race results

Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5K, Nov. 27: Eric Boring, 1st Overall M, 16:50; Carly Seymour, 1st Ovwerall W, 17:49; Ryan O’dowd, 1st 20-24 W, 18:47; Kristen O’dowd, 2nd 20-24 W, 25:24; Mike Audey, 27:39; Kate Long, 29:46; Rachel Gongaware, 29:57; Mackenzie Gongaware, 30:13; Mickie Javor, 30:30; Dan Long, 32:14; Brian Gongaware, 38:56; Joyce Gongaware, 46:42;

Snowflake Shuffle 5K, Dec. 6: Douglas Basinski, 1st Overall M, 19:24; Sarah Brett, 1st Overall W, 23:30; Bob Dummer, 1st 25-29 M, 20:41; Zoe Maine, 3rd Under 15 W, 37:11; Todd Hessler, 27:14; Leslie Maine, 35:43

Treesdale 5K, Nov. 29: Noah Bowser, 1st Overall M, 18:42; Lauren Easton, 1st Overall W, 21:59; Kate Hrach, 2nd Overall W, 23:36; Maria Wnorowski, 3rd Overall W, 26:52; Bradley Cole, 1st 17-19 M, 19:57; John Reed, 1st 14-16 M, 20:20; Caleb Bowser, 2nd 14-16 M, 20:45; S Mark Courtney, 1st 55-59 M, 21:42; Matthew Sherman, 1st 20-24 M, 22:00; Gregory Reed, 1st 50-54 M, 22:13; Jacob Lowry, 1st 12-13 M, 22:48; Todd Zeisler, 2nd 40-44 M, 23:26; Steve Smith, 1st 45-49 M, 24:04; Will Zeisler, 2nd 12-13 M, 24:35; Doug Wnorowski, 2nd 50-54 M, 24:49; Justin Cooper, 3rd 40-44 M, 25:12; Tom Wurzer, 3rd 45-49 M, 25:43; Lucas Kuremsky, 1st 11 & Under M, 26:35; John Dunn, 2nd 11 & Under M, 27:00; Aiden Kuremsky, 3rd 11 & Under M, 27:14; Kaela Wnorowski, 1st 20-24 W, 27:25; Suzanne Leonberg, 1st 55-59 W, 27:43; Morgan Engle, 1st 14-16 W, 28:22; Barbara Lane, 1st 65-69 W, 28:48; Jennifer Duker, 1st 45-49 W, 30:33; Tom Jones, 2nd 55-59 W, 31:15; Tom Vandling, 1st 65-69 M, 31:28; Katie Duker, 1st 12-13 W, 31:40; Susan Duker, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:41; Cindy Cipoletti, 2nd 40-44 W, 33:21; Kelley Cugini, 3rd 45-49 W, 33:54; Alexis Fowler, 1st 11 & Under W, 34:02; Jim Ellis, 1st 60-64 M, 34:02; Amy Fowler, 1st 30-34 W, 34:03; John Fowler, 1st 30-34 M, 34:05; Deb Fowler, 2nd 55-59 W, 34:20; David Kuremsky, 27:38; Jake Cafaro, 27:43; Jane Dunn, 37:22; Kim Kenetz, 38:44

Clint Puller 5K, Dec. 7: Drew Sapp, 1st Overall M, 17:34; Erica Puleio, 1st Overall W, 23:31; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-49 M, 21:08; John Patrus, 2nd 60-69 M, 32:19; Mark Perrine, 24:41; Caleb Rauscher, 29:15

Jingle Dash 5K, Dec.13: Andrew Buttlar, 1st Overall M, 17:38; Matt Montellanico, 2nd Overall M, 18:16; Karla Durnell, 1st Overall W, 23:04; Emmett Santillo, 1st 45-49 M, 19:25; Aaron Tedys, 1st 15-24 M, 21:27; Brody Mckenna, 2nd 15-24 M, 21:31; David Bowser, 1st 35-44 M, 21:43; Gunnar Boehm, 3rd 15-24 M, 23:24; Paul Boehm, 3rd 35-44 M, 24:42; Joel Mckenna, 3rd 45-54 M, 25:38; Sarah Cerilli, 1st 35-44 W, 25:55; Mike Higgins, 3rd 55-64 M, 26:20; Taryn Thompson, 1st 14 & Under W, 28:07; Elizabeth Dickey, 1st 45-54 W, 29:54; Amy Custozzo, 2nd 45-54 W, 32:55; Yvonne Ovial, 3rd 25-34 W, 35:45; Christian Hessler, 24:25; Dennis Arndt, 26:31; Aiden Sperdute, 28:08; Jennifer Sperdute, 33:38; Jim Sperdute, 33:39; Stephanie Annarumo-Bailey, 38:48

Volant Old Fashioned Christmas 5K, Dec. 20: Brent Leber, 1st Overall M, 16:55; Jeannette Boyd, 1st Overall W, 20:21; Ben English, 1st 30-34 M, 17:14; Noah Neigh, 1st 20-29 M, 18:09; Brian Buchan, 3rd 40-44 M, 20:03; Jeff Lynn, 1st 45-49 M, 20:25; John Armstrong, 2nd 45-49 M, 21:43; Norah Seibel, 1st 14 & Under W, 22:37; Mitch Radella, 3rd 45-49 M, 22:39; Karla Durnell, 1st 35-39 W, 23:08; David Suber, 3rd 55-59 M, 23:46; Holly Matsko, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:51; Jinny Hertweck, 3rd 40-44 W, 25:00; Robyn Stewart, 2nd 30-34 W, 25:48; Mike Bruno, 2nd 60-64 M, 26:48; Amanda Wilhelm, 3rd 35-39 W, 27:45; Cindy Suber, 3rd 55-59 W, 28:12; Elizabeth Dickey, 2nd 50-54 W, 30:44; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 50-54 W, 30:49; Dezso Csizmadia, 2nd 70+ M, 31:18; Tom Murray, 3rd 70+ M, 32:41; Ann Cheman, 1st 60-64 W, 33:14; John Patrus, 2nd 65-69 M, 33:25; Taylor Grucza, 3rd 14 & Under M, 33:45; Lois Adams, 2nd 65-69 W, 36:05; Walter Whitten, 30:02; Jill Bennett, 30:28; Thomas Bennett, 33:39; Ella Paule, 35:41; Garrett Paule, 35:41; David Paule, 35:43; Darcie Paule, 35:44; Kim Kenetz, 38:44; Thomas Mahler, 41:30; Michael Clarke, 41:37; Susan Clarke, 44:35

Volant Old Fashioned Christmas Kids Race, Dec. 20: Matthew Cratty, 1st Overall M, 1:56; Jessica Durnell, 1st Overall W, 2:06

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle