I hate to be the subject of a cautionary tale since that usually means I’ve done something incredibly stupid — again.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, joining Indiana Road Runners for a romp through Yellow Creek State Park at Deer Flies 15k and 25k. I would gently trot through the 15k, book-ended by a few miles to make a long run and have plenty of company doing it. What could go wrong?

After a foggy drive to the start, it felt good to stretch and check out the lakeside sights on my warmup. I was careful not to expend energy through the early miles of winding trail, but as temperatures rose, I found myself struggling to maintain even a semblance of running form. I reached the finish too spent to add more than a mile of cooldown at a walk.

After I peeled away sweaty layers of clothing, downed a chocolate milk and several cups of water, I grabbed a couple of Gatorades for the trip home. My body had begun to cramp and I felt strangely chilled under the steamy sun.

Unfortunately, that was only the beginning. I spent the next few days in a zombie-state huddled under a blanket on the couch, waking for fluids in, fluids out as I gradually came back from total exhaustion.

I’ve had plenty of time to figure out what exactly went off the rails, how a simple, easy workout became a performance, then a health issue. I followed the trail of events that led to my ultimate collapse and found the origin in one simple word – dehydration.

On the Sunday prior to Deer Flies, I had run more than 11 miles on hot, hilly pavement with less than adequate fluid intake, exacerbated by rehydrating with beer with the Hash House Harriers. During the week, I continued training but never got back to a full tank. Then, even though I sipped from my hydration pack and took fluids at Deer Flies’ aid stations, I couldn’t counter the volume of sweat lost by running in the sweltering heat. Eventually, my body just said, “Enough!”

It's a simple lesson learned once more, this time in dramatic fashion. Fluids in, fluids out, more fluids in. Stock the fridge with healthy drinks and juicy fruits. Carry a water bottle more, a beer can less. And don’t assume your body will tell you when to drink up. My body’s an idiot.

I checked in with John Swauger of Indiana Road Runners Club to congratulate the club on another successful Deer Flies and to preview this Saturday’s Run for the Trail 7k in Dilltown.

Like Deer Flies, Run for the Trail is celebrating a lengthy success of about 15 years of running in support of local parks and trails. Proceeds from both events benefit Indiana County Parks and Trails as well as Citizen’s Ambulance.

Run for the Trail has always been a 7k evening event. “It’s a great time of year for an evening race,” says John, “and it’s a nice course starting on back roads with the second half of the race on the Ghost Town Trail. It just happens to measure 7k.”

A few years ago, Run for the Trail added a 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk to make it accessible to more participants. The 2-mile is non-competitive but timed. It’s a family-friendly, out-and-back completely on the trail with no street crossings.

Run for the Trail falls at the beginning of high school sports pre-season training and several teams including Central Cambria cross country, Indiana and Northern Cambria soccer will vie for unique competitive awards of artisan-made wooden train engines for top 3 overall male and female finishers. Overall masters men and women also earn train engines while age-group winners from 12-and-under through 70+ earn gold, silver and bronze railroad spikes to honor the trail’s history. All participants in both distances may win random drawing prizes and enjoy post-race ice cream treats.

Commemorative shirts will be available at race-day registration beginning at 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. start. There’s a family discount for families of three or more. No dogs are allowed on the course, but strollers are welcome in the 2-mile event.

For more information, visit indianaroadrunners.com or call race director Dan Pajak, 724-840-5961.

Upcoming Events

Friday, 7 p.m.: Passavant Hospital Foundation Run/Walk, Allison Park. Choice of 4k or 8k at North Park Pool area. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/11thAnnualPassavantHospitalFoundationRunWalk

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Slickville 5k Coal Mine Climb and 2 Mile Fun Walk, Slickville. Challenging backcountry 5k or flatter 2-mile walk. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Slickville/Slickville5kCoalMineClimb2MIleFunWalk

Saturday, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7k Run and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail. 724-840-5961 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Dilltown/RunForTheTrail7KRunand2MileFunRunWalk

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Solar Vortex 5k/15k, Boston. Out and back on Yough River Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/PolarVortex

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Kinzua Bridge Challenge 10k, 5k, 1 Mile Run, 2 Mile Walk, Mt. Jewett. Run on Knox and Kane Rail Trail. Discount for ages 14 and under. runsignup.com/Race/PA/MountJewett/KinzuaBridgeChallenge

August 16, 7 p.m.: Ice Cream Race 5k (QUAD IV), Grove City. Post-race ice cream festival. 724-866-1374 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=138532

August 19, 7 a.m.-August 20, 12 noon: Mighty Moraine Man Fall Multi-Sport Festival, Portersville. Triathlons, Agua Bike, Adventure Race, Youth Races at Moraine State Park’s South Beach. wolfcreektrackclub.com/events/

August 19, 9 a.m.: Cook Forest 25k Trail Challenge, Cooksburg. Rugged trail through Cook Forest State Park. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=101288

August 23, 8 p.m.: Firefly 2 Miler, Butler. Held at Butler Farm Show Grounds. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PAFirefly2Miler

August 26, 8:30 a.m.: Yinzer 4.12k, Pittsburgh. Also kids’ run at 8 a.m. Wear yer Black ‘n’ Gold. raceroster.com/events/2023/75727/2023-yinzer-412k

August 26, 9 a.m.: 40th Run Around the Square, Pittsburgh. Also 1.5 mile fun run/walk through Regent Square neighborhood. 412-731-4456 or p.dirienzo1305@gmail.com

September 1, 7 p.m.: Fireman’s Festival 5k, Elderton. 724-388-2415 or aprilbrochetti@yahoo.com

September 4, 8 a.m.: Steelers 5k, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Also kids’ run for age 9 and under @ 9:30 A.M. p3r.org/races/steelers-run-and-walk-2023

September 4, 9 a.m.: Buhl Day 5k, Hermitage. Flat and fast, part of Buhl Day festivities. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/HERMITAGEBUHLDAY5K

September 9, 7:30 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25k and 50k, Youngstown. Scenic single-track course through Mill Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassic

September 9, 8 a.m.: Barber Beast on the Bay 10 Mile, Erie. Obstacle run on Peninsula Drive. 814-480-6810 or www.barberbeast.org

September 9, 9 a.m.: 39th Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile, St. Marys. Fast out-and-back course. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SaintMarys/LeeFosterMemorial5Mile

September 10, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle, Erie. 814-504-2631 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathon

September 10, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run and Walk, Homer City. Flat and fast course, held in conjunction with Homer City Festival. 412-289-6299 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5k

September 16, 8 a.m.: Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge, Claysburg. Marathon, half marathon or 10k run at Blue Knob Resort. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Claysburg/RockNTheKnob

September 16, 10 a.m.: FlyBy 5k and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Moon Township. Run on Pittsburgh International Airport runway. p3r.org/races/steelers-run-and-walk-2023

Race Results

Summer Solstice 5k, June 21: Devan Evanovich, 1st Overall M, 17:38; Victor Zahn, 2nd Overall M, 18:00; Tessa Szymanski, 1st Overall W, 21:42; Olivia Campbell, 2nd Overall W, 21:47; L. Springirth, 3rd Overall W, 23:46; Anthony Robare, 1st 18-29 M, 18:50; Liam Robare, 2nd 13-17 M, 21:25; Chad Green, 3rd 18-29 M, 22:30;

Ellwood City Festival 10k, July 1: Asa Equels, 1st Overall M, 34:52; Colsen Frank, 2nd Overall M, 36:28; Amy O’donnell, 1st Overall W, 40:39; Matt Montellanico, 2nd 34-40 M, 41:17; Matt Bernardi, 1st 46-50 M, 43:53; Mark Casteel, 2nd 51-55 M, 45:49; Peter Frank, 2nd 46-50 M, 46:48; Todd Allman, 2nd 56-59 M, 47:52; Jim Gallagher, 3rd 56-59 M, 50:00; Claire Allman, 2nd 27-33 W, 50:41; Alexandra Gongas, 2nd 14-19 W, 52:45; David Suber, 2nd 65-69 M, 57:43; Jessica Moslander, 2nd 46-50 W 58:38; Cindy Suber, 1st 61-70 W, 59:48; Corinne Savena, 1st 20-26 W, 1:00:22; James Gascoine, 1st 65-69 M, 55:57; Dave Guo, 1st 70+ M, 1:04:31; Heather Alter, 3rd 46-50 W, 1:05:26; David Adams, 3rd 70+ M, 1:09:28; Heidi Fleming, 3rd 51-60 W, 1:13:52; Craig Harlbeck, 43:32; Mario Greco, 48:21; Chad Linebaugh, 48:40; John Armstrong, 50:21; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 51:33; Jonathan Sosa, 55:00; Hunter Ligo, 56:38; Adam Olsen, 56:55; Amanda Barclay, 57:28; Bernie Riley, 1:01:26; Michael Capalbo, 1:03:32

Canadohta Lake Firecracker 5k, July 1: Jacob Loveranes, 1st Overall M, 17:36; Ava Reagle, 1st Overall W, 25:00; Colin Anderson, 21:17; Rayna Rippey, 26:57; Anna Alexander, 28:06; Austin Latta, 32:16; Len Cytevski, 32:58; Mario Loveranes, 33:12; Iris Edwards, 35:00; Christopher Edwards, 35:01; Alivia Joslin, 39:00; Karla Garbowsky, 39:17; Randy Angelucci, 40:09; Loghan Strohm, 40:40; Samantha Frederick, 40:40; Lila Edwards, 40:40; Lori Miller, 40:43; Shylee Varner, 45:04; Eric Varner, 45:21; Brady Kiszer, 48:17; Janea Harris, 48:19; Shane Frederick, 48:19; Austin Anderson, 50:02; Addison Rutkowski, 50:44; Ellis Anderson, 52:12; Megan Waid, 54:38; Mary Kleszczowski, 55:41; Mark Foley, 56:01; Linsted Penny, 56:02

Canadohta Lake Firecracker 10k, July 1: Brad Wingler, 1st Overall M, 42:41; Julia Bojaczko, 1st Overall W, 43:57; Brendan Shaw, 1:03:48

Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, July 4: Chris Belch, 1st Overall M, 17:33; Aidan Sawyer, 3rd Overall M, 18:16; Anna Dansak, 1st Overall W, 21:14; Teresa Grimm, 2nd Overall W, 22:37; Michal Kawecki,1st 40-49 M, 20:34; Alan Wolfe, 2nd 16-29 M, 21:10; Jerry Kosar, 1st 60+ M, 23:38; Alex Jacobs, 3rd 16-29 M, 24:35; Andrew Parker, 2nd 50-59 M, 24:43; Travis Ritenour, 1st 30-39 M, 24:53; Ariel Laur, 1st 30-39 W, 24:58; Sam Slatcoff, 1st 9-11 M, 25:03; Catherine Hrach, 1st 50-59 W, 25:27; Becky Parker, 2nd 50-59 W, 26:46; Emily Hrach, 2nd 16-29, 27:42; Grace Daugherty, 1st 12-15 W, 28:15; Catherine Parker, 1st 9-11 W, 28:34; Sue English, 2nd 60+ W, 33:01; Courtney Stover, 3rd 16-29 W, 33:54; Cindy Paganico, 3rd 60+ W, 41:00; Ethan Hrach, 25:21 Jeremy Pott, 27:19; Patrick Roach, 27:42; Tina Benedek-Grimm, 28:12; John Karpacs, 28:24; Jake Anderson, 28:40; Leanna Anderson, 28:55; Heather Daugherty, 29:05; Joe Mulqueen, 31:56; Bill Daugherty, 33:05; Tessa Filoni, 33:25; Sylvia Mays, 34:07; Kathryn Filoni, 34:29; Aaron Burgess, 34:31; Jennifer Morgan, 34:40; Rich Anderson, 34:56; Gina Jacobs, 35:19; Tom Culley, 35:39; Curtis Corson, 36:11; Courtney Burgess, 37:01; Maria Williams, 37:28; Abigail Gregorowicz, 39:32; Luke Anderson 39:32; Lydia Cameron, 40:31 Jordan Poindexter, 42:00; Samantha Poindexter, 42:01; Rock Kernick, 44:24; Linda Kernick, 45:40; Joseph Taylor, 48:17

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle