I passed a couple of my running friends on the road today. They were running; I was driving.

I felt a twinge of envy, but that’s a good sign. It’s the second week of my postseason rest and I’m almost ready to run again.

Rest, like training, is an individual choice. Not everyone takes an annual break from running. For some, rest means running 40 miles per week instead of 70 or substituting easy trail runs for grueling track workouts. Others are content to run year-round at a gentle pace with peaks and valleys of fitness flattening out to a steady level.

But I’ve found that a training cycle of 15 to 18 weeks with miles upon miles, hills and intervals, and lead-up races culminating in a peak performance leaves me feeling mentally and physically drained. I need time away from my favorite endeavor to recharge my batteries.

As unsettling as it might seem to those used to running every day, rest can be the prescription to cure what ails your running. Rest can heal nagging injuries, revitalize your mental outlook and ultimately take performance to a higher level.

Obviously, if you’ve just completed a marathon training plan, you’ll need a few weeks rest to build glycogen levels, heal muscle microtears and rest weary joints. But a season of racing shorter events also takes a toll on body and mind.

If you exhibit any of the signs of overtraining, such as sleep disruption, higher than normal resting pulse, lack of motivation, irritability or depression, injuries that do not improve or become worse, or higher frequency of colds and flu, you may need a rest.

Also, if your racing times become slower or you can’t complete workouts, it’s time for a rest.

It’s important to heal any injuries before beginning a new training plan. Your rest period is the perfect time to seek professional advice and treatment, if necessary.

While injured runners may require a complete break, others may just need to lighten the training and racing load. The racing calendar naturally thins as winter’s chill takes over. If you do continue to attend races, consider them fun runs, not competitive events. And if you can’t hold yourself back from going all out, stay home.

Rest from running doesn’t mean you’ll lose fitness. Stay active during your running break. Try crosstraining beginning with non-weight-bearing activity, such as swimming, rowing or spinning.

Rest time is also a great time to explore other fitness activities that can lead to improvements in running. Form a stretching or strength training habit, or take a class in yoga, aerobics or zumba.

Sometimes it’s not only you, the runner, who needs some time off the roads. Running is by nature a solitary endeavor and your family and non-running friends may appreciate having more time with you, especially around the holidays.

When you finally get serious about training again, don’t expect to come back at the same level in miles or speed as when you stopped running. But remember that your rested body will be back in no time and better than ever. And your renewed motivation may lead you to your best season ever.

Upcoming events

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

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Oil City’s Christmas Past Old Man’s 5K, Oil City. 814-670-0461 or shinds@oilcity.org

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Holiday 5K Run-Walk, New Brighton. 724-495-9417 or www.nbarc.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Penn State-Shenango Dash for Kids 5K Run-Walk, Buhl Farms, Hermitage. 724-866-5004 or bes5143@psu.edu

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Trot for Tots 10K and 5K, Oakdale. 412-490-0881 or ksmith@eliterunners.com

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Deerslayer Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 8 miles or 4 miles sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club. 724-348-6012.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. 814-571-1960 or dhel@psu.edu

Dec. 11, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell 5K Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. Run along North Shore benefits Arthritis Foundation. 412-566-1645 or jbrgh.kintera.org

Dec. 11, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5K, Erie. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Dec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K Run-Walk, Harmony. 724-452-6780, option 3 or www.harmony-pa.us

Jan. 9, 9 a.m.: Frigid Five Mile, North Park. 412-490-0881 or ksmith@eliterunners.com

Race results

Great Pumpkin 5K, Oct. 29: Alex Sherman, 1st Overall M, 18:20; Heather Healy, 1st Overall W, 22:13; Mariah Mack, 2nd Overall W, 22:19; Taylor Renk, 3rd Overall W, 22:36; Mitch Radella, 1st 45-49 M, 20:27; Jeff Cypher, 1st 50-54 M, 21:52; Matthew Schnarre, 1st 13 and under M, 21:59; Francis Folz, 1st 14-18 M, 22:12; Robert Miller, 1st 40-44 M, 22:30; Joey Schmitzer, 2nd 13 and under M, 22:39; Dave Adams, 2nd 60-64 M, 22:44; Adam Johanknecht, 3rd 13 and under M, 23:10; Stephen Moon, 2nd 40-44 M, 23:20; Dave Mack, 2nd 45-49 M, 23:25David Lachendro, 2nd 14-18 M, 24:06; Milagros LaBeau, 1st 40-44 W, 24:36; Sara Coon, 1st 35-39 W, 24:55; Cindy Waltemire, 1st 50-54 W, 24:59; Shawn Byers, 3rd 40-44 M, 25:00; Mary Margaret Folz, 2nd 40-44 W, 26:30; Michael Sutton, 3rd 45-49 M, 26:17; Christi Hoffman, 2nd 35-39 W, 26:18; Jeremy Friday, 2nd 30-34 M, 26:18; Emily Schnarre, 1st 13 and under W, 26:30; Stacey Schmitzer, 2nd 40-44 W, 26:30; Riley Morrone, 2nd 13 and under W, 26:37; Becky Monhemius, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:38Mia Chris, 3rd 14-18 W, 27:31; Christine Bryant, 3rd 14-18 W, 27:31; Doug Johnston, 3rd 30-34 M, 27:43; Emily Schmitzer, 3rd 13 and under W, 28:22; Summer Fowler, 2nd 30-34 W, 28:42; Heather Oros, 3rd 30-34 W, 28:43; Rich Dahlgren, 1st 65-69 M, 28:46; Suzanne Platt, 1st 45-49 W, 29:39; Laurie Plummer, 2nd 45-49 W, 29:39; Christine Holt, 3rd 45-49 W, 30:57; Judy Lyle, 1st 60-64 W, 35:50; Mary Elen Knauss, 1st 70 and over W, 48:08; Mary Agnes Miller, 2nd 70 and over W, 1:00:27Sam Enders, 23:33; Matthew Sloan, 24:01; Patrick Byers, 25:03; Joseph Sloan, 25:20; Mickey Maloney, 25:43; Carl Heinlsin, 26:09; Jack Lachendro, 26:31; Kelly Morrone, 27:46; Joe Schmitzer, 28:23; Bob Markovich, 28:43; Liz Duer, 28:54; Andrew Schnarre, 29:08; Katie Maloney, 29:19; Tod Bryant, 29:33; Daniel Byers, 30:31; Gina Tagliaferri, 30:33; Mindy Pasquale, 30:40; Autumn Holt, 30:51; Will Adams, 31:09; Andrew Chiusano, 31:12; Kit Testa, 31:18; Allyson Bauer, 31:18; Casey Baker, 31:26Amy Wallace, 31:40; Kimberly Matz, 32:00; Nathan Cummings, 32:13; Renee Meinert, 33:00; Katie Platt, 33:14; Joseph Folz, 33:36; Mary Mazur, 33:36; Maggie Maloney, 33:36; Joe Maloney, 33:36; Cathy Chris, 34:34; Madison Boyer, 34:58; Rebecca Moser, 34:58; Kaylee Aunspaw, 36:00; Alexandra Chamberland, 37:39; Stephanie Crail, 38:22; Zach Testa, 42:51; R.J. Testa, 42:51; Deana Chiusano, 45:26; Kathy Schnarre, 45:56; Jennifer Do, 46:47; Joey Meinert, 58:40

Great Pumpkin 1 Mile, Oct. 29: Emmett Santillo, 1st Overall M, 5:38; Mitch Radella, 2nd Overall M, 5:55; Aaron Depew, 3rd Overall M, 5:58; Cassidy Testa, 1st Overall W, 6:23; Nicole Khoury, 3rd Overall W, 7:24; Anthony Pittavino, 1st 16-18 M, 6:02; Francis Folz, 1st 14-15 M, 6:22; Robert Miller, 1st 40-49 M, 6:44; Ethan Depew, 1st 10-11 M, 7:14; Clayton Holt, 1st 6-7 M, 7:17; Xavier Khoury, 2nd 10-11 M, 7:19; Mark Stephenson, 1st 12-13 M, 7:28; Will McGuire, 2nd 12-13 M, 7:31; Stephen Moon, 2nd 40-49 M, 7:31; Ema Harmer, 1st 10-11 W, 7:32; Riley Morrone, 2nd 10-11 W, 7:42Nicholas Duer, 3rd 10-11 M, 7:50; Kate Lachendro, 1st 8-9 W, 8:08; Emily Gregor, 2nd 8:09; R.J. Wallace, 1st 8-9 M, 8:11; Kathie Blinn, 2nd 50-59 W, 8:25; Brian Byers, 2nd 8-9 M, 8:31; Michael Ammerman, 1st 4-5 M, 8:35; Michael Pittavino, 3rd 12-13 M, 8:39; Cole Hoffman, 3rd 8-9 M, 8:31; Taylor Healy, 3rd 8-9 W, 8:44; Hannah Testa, 1st 12-13 W, 8:44; Adam Hoffman, 2nd 6-7 M, 8:46; Molly Mazur, 3rd 10-11 W, 8:53; Mary Testa, 2nd 12-13 W, 8:54; Andrew Ammerman, 3rd 6-7 M, 8:55; Scott Baker, 3rd 40-49 M, 8:58Kristen Testa, 2nd 40-49 W, 9:00; Bill Adams, 1st 30-39 M, 9:19; Krista Novak, 1st 30-39 W, 9:45; Natalie Kohler, 2nd 6-7 W, 9:51; Emma Bodkin, 3rd 12-13 W, 10:03; Marty Kohler, 2nd 30-39 M, 10:59; Ellie Troiani, 3rd 6-7 W, 11:37; Dana Bodkin, 3rd 40-49 W, 12:41; Rebecca Cypher, 3rd 50-59 W, 13:47; Joanna Sutton, 2nd 30-39 W, 14:14; Rebecca Kohler, 1st 3 and under W, 14:22; Terry Kohler, 3rd 30-39 W, 14:24; Mary Ann Nock, 2nd 60-69 W, 19:22; Blake Novak, 1st 3 and under M, 21:22; Marla Gayle Bennet, 3rd 60-69 W, 21:31Dominic Pasquale, 8:29; Zac Baker, 8:57; Megan Neely, 9:46; Jake McCune, 10:12; Jamie Wallace, 10:12; Shea Standish, 10:13; Elise Harmer, 10:31; Lauren Testa, 10:32; Carly Seaman, 11:02; Amanda Edwards, 11:10; Phil Troiani, 11:38; Anna Byers, 11:55; Darah Bodkin, 11:56; Maura Pasquale, 12:07; Maura Edwards, 12:33; Abigail Sutton, 13:04; Michael Sutton, 13:05; Aaron Sutton, 14:15; Katrina Testa, 15:00; Megan Sweeney, 15:46; Patrick Sweeney, 16:09; Amy Wallace, 17:05; Sarah Sweeney, 18:08; Angelina Smutko, 18:12; Lisa Sweeney, 19:04; Angelina Sweeney, 19:04; Patti Smutko, 19:22; Mark Lachendro, 20:14; Jen Lachendro, 20:18; Hannah Novak, 21:22; Christi Novak, 21:22

Farmer’s Inn Half Marathon, Oct. 31: Brent Henderson, 1st Overall M, 1:17:14; Holly Bauer, 1st Overall W, 1:40:23; Ben English, 1st 20-29 M, 1:23:23; John Armstrong, 1st 45-49 M, 1:42:59; Brian Cochran, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:55:05; Ken Tack, 1st 60-64 M, 2:15:33; Ruth Coshran, 3rd 40-44 W, 2:25:45; David White, 1:46:52; Jason Myers, 2:07:08

Farmer’s Inn 5K, Oct. 31: Joshua Corsen, 1st Overall M, 22:30; Renee Bodden, 1st Overall W, 25:28; Aanda Coradi, 2nd 20-29 W, 33:46Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.