By its nature, running is a solitary pursuit. More often than not, the runner you pass on your way to work or who overtakes you on a park trail is alone.

Most runners I know take a certain perverse pride in running's individuality. We enjoy the fact that we don't need to assemble a team to participate in our sport. We lace up our shoes and hit the road or trail on our own terms.

Still, there are times when the power of one isn't powerful enough to get us out there. It's much easier to curl up in front of the fireplace with a book than to brave the elements. That's when you need the power of the group to keep moving.

Last Saturday was one of those days. The thermometer was stuck in the teens and an overnight snow blanketed roads and sidewalks — unappealing conditions for an early morning run, let alone the drive to get there.

Mom and I packed our cross country skis along with our running gear for our appointed 8 a.m. group run start. If no one else showed up to run, at least we'd be prepared for a more winter-appropriate activity.

As we slid around the last bend and into the parking lot, we were amazed to see that we weren't the only ones out and about on that blustery morning. At least six cars were lined up in the lot with more arriving. We smiled and shook our heads. Why would we even doubt the dedication and motivation of our group?

Ten runners of all ages, abilities and speeds milled about and stretched in the warmth of the indoors. We shared our favorite cold weather secrets, compared clothing choices and stowed cell phones in pockets while passing the Bodyglide for a waxy face shield. Then as if following some primal herding instinct, we turned toward the door en masse and across the snowy parking lot.

Most of us had ambitiously planned a hilly 10-mile, figure-eight course. Even with the extreme weather, we didn't want to fall behind in our two-week-old marathon schedule.

The rest decided to give it a try, especially since our course would take us past our refueling stop twice and never more than a few miles away from warm shelter.

We set out sloppily on the barely plowed back road, testing the best footing for our particular shoes and running style. While our group usually spreads out across at least one traffic lane on the lightly traveled road, we ran single file in case we had to make a sudden dive away from cars churning through the snow.

After the first few miles our group stretched out and separated into twos or threes. In weather like this, there is safety in numbers. We circled back to pick up anyone who lagged behind.

After the first hour in winter's isolation, we began to see signs of life in the neighborhood. Couples trudged through the snow with their dogs. A few people hunkered down behind snow shovels, pausing to watch our parade past their driveways.

A few drivers waved back at us as they passed, finally able to relinquish their death grip on the steering wheel as the slush melted. We gladly hopped off the road to make way for the township snowplow, then back again onto bare pavement and solid footing.

By the time we coaxed each other to the crest of the final hill, the roads and the skies were clearing. We chased our shadows down the other side under a patch of blue. The group broke up as a few of us added another mile down a neighborhood cul-de-sac.

After our run we regrouped in the warmth and shared well-deserved doughnuts and chocolate milk. The two hours of running in the snow among like minded friends had energized us. And we still had plenty of day left to curl up in front of the fireplace with that good book.

Runner recognized

Ultrarunner Tim Hewitt of Greensburg was mentioned in Runner's World for his amazing accomplishment of running the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational a record four times.

Hewitt, who holds the record on the Iditarod course, is co-race director with wife Loreen of the annual 70.5-mile Laurel Highlands Trail Challenge from Ohiopyle to Johnstown.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Elite Runners and Walkers Marathon Training Run, Pittsburgh. Run from various locations. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Training for Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon or just run for fun. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Second Sole Group Run, North Park. Meet at Boat House for various distances. 724-772-2808

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Bushwackers Nightmare Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 10K or 5K sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 724-348-6012

Saturday, 10 a.m.: UPMC Sports Medicine Seminar Series, Pittsburgh. Topic: Getting Started Training for Marathon or Half Marathon. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Donut Dash 5K, Perrysburg, Ohio. 419-872-8002

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Running Wild and North Park Runners Group Run, North Park. Now training for Pittsburgh Marathon. 724-444-5311 or www.runningwildpa.com

Jan. 23, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks 10-Mile or 5-Mile, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park, hot post-race food and drinks. 724-758-2506 or bonherb@yahoo.com

Race results

New Brighton Holiday Run 3.3 Miles, Dec. 5: Matt Montellanico, 1st Overall M, 19:46; Tammy Kirksey, 1st Overall W, 22:27; Dana Hogue, 2nd 40-49 M, 33:05; Jim Miller, 30:14

Trot for Tots 5K, Dec. 6: Jake DiAlesandro, 1st Overall M, 16:33; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 19:29; Scott Slaney, 2nd 15-19 M, 17:51; Kim Ebbert, 1st 35-39 W, 20:52; Mary Morgan, 3rd 50-54 W, 25:24; Ron Hartle, 23:20; Chris Bushaw, 24:24; Brian Shuttleworth, 26:47; Heather Slater, 28:04; Casey Newmeyer, 31:01; Dana Newmeyer, 31:32; Barbara Johns, 38:24; Cassie Johns, 38:24; Christie Martz, 49:28

Trot for Tots 10K, Dec. 6: Jake DiAlesandro, 1st Overall M, 35:34; Lisa Chilcote, 1st Overall W, 38:38; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 41:45; Mary Morgan, 3rd 50-54 W, 55:23; Ron Hartle, 55:21; Heather Slater, 58:58

Jingle Bell 5K Run for Arthritis, Dec. 12: Tim Meyer, 1st Overall M, 15:22; Mary Acker, 1st Overall W, 18:15; Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st 50-54 M, 16:14; Theodore Huxtable, 2nd 25-29 M, 16:21; Gayle Spect, 1st 25-29 W, 18:21; Emily Utz, 2nd 30-34 W, 19:51; Dorothy Moxie, 2nd 40-44 W, 20:10; Cindy Waltemire, 1st 50-54 W, 23:09Mark Shipley, 18:57; Jody Lobert, 19:20; Alex Raymond, 20:25; Stephen DiAntonio, 20:49; Ronald Cushman, 20:57; Rebecca Pounds, 22:23; Sarah Spec, 22:33; Michael Coyne, 23:08; Michel Donofrio, 23:29; Lindsay Klaum, 24:24; Debbie Smiga, 24:47; Tar Gilson, 24:50; Lisa Myers, 25:01; Beth Winhold, 25:24; Darren Klaum, 25:30; Joyce Doss, 25:43; Leanne Trdinich, 26:02; Stacie Brethauer, 26:05; Shalane Bower, 26:59; Amy Lutz, 27:05; Grace Roller, 27:38; Suzanne Leonberg, 27:40; Shannon Evanchec, 27:41; Andrea Sanders, 27:42; George Williams, 27:46; Lynn Dixon Stewart, 28:18; Erin Smith, 28:19; Thomas Esterline, 28:23; Jennifer Grooms, 28:39; Brittany Aldape, 29:02; Kim Bell, 29:03; Kimberly Leonard, 29:12; Rita Greenstein, 29:14; Beth Ann Skinner, 29:26Mark Lawless, 29:40; Tina Gilson, 29:51; Erica Lesko, 30:03; Joe Schmitt, 30:04; Cassandra Smiley, 30:59; Jennifer Weaver, 31:04; Katie Platt, 31:09; Barrett Leone, 31:11; Casey Hall, 31:14; Emily DiMatteo, 31:16; Amanda Budzowski, 31:16; Roseanne Katic, 31:50; Kathleen Schillinger, 33:26; Allison Staresinic, 33:27; Brooke Heilman, 33:29; Adrianna Alatorre, 33:30; Rebecca Cuff, 35:17; Leslie Craven, 35:52; Nicole Lewis, 36:46; Emma Lewis, 36:46; Ana Eyerman, 37:49; Noelle Fajt, 42:03; Brittany Johnson, 42:05; Gabrielle Burkett, 42:43; Katie Clouse, 42:44; Samantha Katich, 43:55; David Heaton, 50:27; Bailey Heaton, 50:28; Ashley Nadulek, 48:38Send 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.