What’s the equivalent of 12 miles on the road at a moderate pace?

My training plan called for one more long run before an upcoming 10-mile race. But I also wanted to enjoy a weekend of trail running with Hash House Harriers friends in Beaver County.

Our Saturday trail run started at 11 a.m. under bright sun and temperatures already in the high 60s. That’s perfect for a stroll through the woods, but proved a little warm for a run over abandoned strip mines and power line right-of-ways.

Our first few miles offered a warm-up hike across tick-infested scrub grass. We lifted our knees high to avoid becoming snared in tangles of dewberry brambles and falling into said brambles. Occasionally, someone would break into a jog on one of the rutted ATV trails that crisscrossed the rolling landscape.

Just past the warning sign for a live firing range, our trail ducked into a woodsy hollow. We followed the trail to our first rest stop beside a tiny log cabin along a small stream. Several of us pulled ticks from our socks and pants before we set off to follow the trail of flour marks heading upstream.

The second leg of our journey followed ATV power line trails over what seemed to be ever higher and steeper ridges. Our group spreading out over the course looked like ants on the march. Occasional false trails added distance for the front runners and gave slower runners and walkers a chance to catch up.

I longed for some level ground to relieve the quad-burning ascents and scree-sliding descents of the power lines, but soon found that level doesn’t mean easier. We emerged from a small wooded area to follow markings leading down a set of railroad tracks.

Railroad track running can be a breeze or extremely energy sapping depending on your stride length. Some people seem to skim lightly, landing naturally on each tie. I’m not one of those people. My stride is about three inches too short, so I overstride or stutter-step my way along, concentrating so as not to strain a tendon or twist an ankle by landing on the edge of a tie or stepping into the limestone lumps in between.

I was about to lose focus when the trail suddenly veered off the tracks and into the woods. This time we followed a deer path that meandered among mixed hardwoods and wild thorn apples. We began to see obvious signs of beaver activity (We are in Beaver County after all) — felled trees, stumps gnawed to points and trees in various stages of whittling.

We emerged above a large beaver pond, the animals’ home sitting peacefully in the center. After several views of the pond, we crossed the pond’s outlet stream using the beaver dam as our bridge.

As our route ran closer to the Beaver River, the terrain became more rocky and severe. We climbed on all fours through rocky canyons formed by ancient streams rushing toward the river and skirted marshy valleys of cattails and wetlands grasses.

At one point, our trail hosts had installed a rope to aid in a nearly vertical descent. I clung to the rope with all the strength available in my puny runner’s arms and tried not to look down until my feet hit a pile of leaves at the bottom.

I ran the next miles fueled by adrenaline from the terrifying climb. Our deer path emerged onto the North Country Trail and we switch-backed through the forest on scenic single track before emerging on a back road.

After nine miles of off-road challenges, I welcomed the last level mile on the road to the finish in Wampum. I was thirsty, bruised and tired to the point of exhaustion. And yes, I knew I was ready for that fairly level paved 10 miles next weekend.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Run Group, Cranberry Township. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturdays: Butler Babes group trail runs, various locations. Run various distances on trails in area parks. tamsuemcg@embarqmail.com

Friday, 5:30 p.m.: Triathlon and Endurance Athlete Sports Clinic, Cranberry Township. Workshop at Lemieux Sports Complex continues Saturday, 7:30-11:30 A.M. 724-720-3000

Saturday, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3: Prep for Pittsburgh, Sandy Lake. Choice of 13.1miles or 5k on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 714-301-6775 or bbeverino@clarion.edu

Sunday, 3 p.m.: Run or Walk for Someone Special, Sykesville. Choice of 5 mile race or 2 mile fun run. 814-952-0490 or run_walk@yahoo.com

April 8, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of half marathon or 5 miles. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com or bmazur@intelmarx.com

April 8, 9 a.m.: Harrisville Superhero 5k, Harrisville. 412-445-5089 or www.givetosru.org/superhero5k

April 8, 9 a.m.: 21st Annual Martha’s Run 10k, Mt. Lebanon. Also 2 mile fun run starting at Mt. Lebanon High School. 412-454-0259 or www.themarthafund.org

April 8, 11a.m.: Thunder Run 5k, Meadville. darylkv@yahoo.com

April 15, 9 a.m.: Latrobe Rabbit Runs Through It 5k, Latrobe. 724-537-4331 or dawn@latroberecreation.org

April 22, 9 a.m.: TRAILS 5k for Austism, Slippery Rock. Also 3k walk. 724-738-4306 or Elizabeth.kemeny@sru.edu

April 22, 7:30 a.m.: Pirates Charities 5k Home Run, Pittsburgh. Starts at PNC Park. 412-325-4781 or pirates.com

April 22, 9 a.m.: Roaring Run Water Association Earth Day Dash 5k and 15k, Apollo. 724-681-6317 or www.roaringrun.org

April 22, 9 a.m.: KUMC Missions Bunny Hop 5k, Knox. 814-229-4139 or frontporchfarms@venustel.com

April 23, 1 p.m.: Union All Sports Booster Club 5k, 10k Trail Run and 2 Mile Walk, Sligo. Shicky68@hotmail.com

April 26, 7 p.m.: Sunset Sprint 5k, Grove City. 732-770-1626 or breckenridgeJA1@gcc.edu

April 29, 10 a.m.: Autism Speaks 5k, Sharpsville. 724-992-3234

May 6, 9 a.m.: ACMH 5k Wellness Run/Walk, Kittanning. 724-543-8850 or beersj@acmh.org

May 6, 8 a.m.: UPMC Health Plan 5k Run, Pittsburgh. Run from Northshore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 6, 8:30 a.m.: Sheetz Pittsburgh Marathon Toddler Trot. Course in Point State Park for kids ages 2-5. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 6, 9:30 a.m.: Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon, Pittsburgh. One mile run from Northshore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 7, 7a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Pittsburgh

Race results

Spring Thaw 30k, March 25: Steelton Flynn, 1st Overall M, 1:51:43; Erika Suhy, 1st Overall W, 2:13:23; Tim Souders, 2nd 40-44 M, 2:18:43; William Huber, 2nd 30-34 M, 2:19:52; Kristina Souders, 3rd 35-39 W, 2:31:02; Gillian Scott, 1st 40-44 W, 2:52:13; Michael Braunstein, 2:35:30; Lori Fromlak, 2:47:01; Andrew Anauo, 2:47:14; January Scheidlmeier, 2:55:30; Cindy Edkins, 3:04:25; Greg Marburger, 3:07:40; Wendy Wick, 3:08:06; Eamonn Clements, 3:13:40; Johannah Scott, 3:31:17; Regiane Morgueta, 3:41:40; Kristy Marcinko, 3:41:04; Ann Cannoni, 3:49:21

Spring Thaw Half Marathon, March 25: Kenny Goodfellow, 1st Overall M, 1:14:16; Kim Schwabenbauer, 1st Overall W, 1:24:58; Jennifer Marcotte, 1st Masters W, 1:44:20; Gar Bercury, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:23:18; Adam Shoup, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:37:15; Mark Casteel, 3rd 45-49 M, 1:41:34; Phil Jones, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:42:14; James Franks, 3rd 55-59 M, 1:46:24; Kim Spears, 1st 40-44 W, 1:48:33; Sean Ristey, 2nd 15-19 M, 1:56:16; Tisha Frederick, 3rd 45-49 W, 1:58:14; Matthew Kessel, 3rd 9 & Under M, 2:02:27; Mary Morgan, 1st 55-59 W, 2:14:27; Lindsay Donohue, 1st 19 & Under W, 2:22:13; Shannon Connolly, 2nd 19 & Under W, 3:03:20; Crystal Ferrio, 3rd 19 & Under W, 3:03:29; Matthew Corbin, 1:36:50; William Marsh, 1:48:01; Geno Mell, 1:48:46; Jeffrey Levy, 1:53:06; Stephen Arendosh, 1:53:38; Bryan Thompson, 1:53:50; Jeremy Pott, 1:57:14; Dan Spears, 1:57:27; Thomas Lynch, 1:58:51; Tara Stamper, 2:00:27; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 2:02:29; Ryan Pityk, 2:05:16; Ryan Hancox, 2:09:08; Christopher Clancy, 2:13:57; John Ristey, 2:16:49; Heidi Yeager, 2:17:58; Ted Kinney, 2:18:17; Noelle Sequite, 2:18:21; Andrew Pier, 2:19:03; Kier Ruggerio, 2:22:03; Steffanie Lariviere, 2:33:01; Amanda Lucco, 2:35:36; Lauren Hopkins, 2:38:06; Rebecca Zahora, 2:41:44; Alfred Schnabel, 2:43:51; Walik Shabazz, 2:45:42; Matthew Lesko, 2:45:44; Parker Tompkins, 2:46:45; Joseph Brinker, 2:48:49; Griffin Kintner-Keyser, 2:59:02; Beth Healy, 3:17:07;

Spring Thaw 8.1 Miles, March 25: Mitchell Dyer, 1st Overall M, 48:03; Leah Ahlin, 1st Overall W, 53:15; Robert Waltrip, 1st 45-49 M, 1:00:02; Melissa Conjak, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:03:14; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 1:04:14; Kevin Basel, 1st 15-19 M, 1:05:31; Daniel Kolor, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:05:45; Kristen Burcham, 3rd 35-39 W, 1:10:52; Avery Lawson, 1st 40-44 W, 1:11:01; Jennifer McNabb, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:13:19; Ian Fox, 2nd 15-19 M, 1:14:02; Hannah Testa, 1st 15-19 W, 1:14:04; Dean Longwell, 1:08:03; Bruce Hall, 1:08:38; Joe Simoes, 1:09:17; Shay Houser, 1:10:54; Kirstian Jacobs, 1:11:28; Orryn Sledge, 1:11:33; Jocelyn Kimmel, 1:13:16; Jessica McKnight, 1:14:06; Mark Pekich, 1:14:40; Tony Pityk, 1:15:05; Sabrina Mitchell, 1:15:23; Michelle Pekich, 1:16:44; William Woods, 1:18:27; Heather Slater, 1:18:44; Colin Lischy, 1:18:56; Tracy Bowser, 1:19:16; Chris Miller, 1:19:20; Steve Schlotterbeck, 1:19:41; Amber Slatcoff, 1:20:08; Claudine Rumbaugh, 1:21:09; Pat Donohue, 1:23:38; Amy Lehman, 1:23:48; Heather Dudak, 1:24:15; Greg Barger, 1:25:17; Sarah Drane, 1:29:02; David Drane, 1:29:04; Linda Ryan, 1:29:25; Heather Shriver, 1:30:01; Trisha Miller, 1:30:46; Amy Kirkham, 1:32:30; Eric Finney, 1:33:39; Janelle Fumerola. 1:35:59; Josh Karakis, 1:36:08; Brenda Schlotterbeck, 1:37:06; Sarah Jone s, 1:37:12; Amanda McCandless, 1:56:34; Stacy McCandless, 1:57:53; Allison Beresnyak, 1:37:49; Jennifer Wimer, 1:40:16; Debbie Berry, 2:10:44;

Spring Thaw 5k, March 25: Eric Hohman, 1st Overall M, 17:35; Deonna Mathias, 1st Overall W, 21:57; Karsyn Spears, 3rd Overall W, 23:13; Daniel Pollock, 1st 60-64 M, 22:11; Skyllar Spears, 1st 15-19 W, 24:02; Michael Coyne, 3rd 45-49 M, 30:32; Christine Lenz, 1st 45-49, 31:25; Kim Fleming, 2nd 55-59 W, 35:56; Braden Lenz, 30:50; David Daquelente, 31:42; Sarah Contanzo, 36:36; Sandra Thompson, 39:15; Jodi Zema, 39:42

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.