It's a great time to get off the roads and into the woods. But running on trails requires a change in style and attitude to fully appreciate the wild outdoors.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

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Off-road equipment. If you run on trails only occasionally, your daily training shoes should be adequate to the task. But if you venture off road often, you'll want to invest in specialized shoes.If you run on trails full of rocks, roots and ruts, you'll want a beefy shoe that insulates your foot from the harsh terrain. If your trail running is less rugged, a shoe with a moderate tread pattern and stiffness will serve double duty through this winter's snow on the roads.•

Clothing is equipment, too. Wear close-fitting clothes with tightly woven fabrics to avoid snags on brambles. Socks should be high enough to keep annoying pebbles and seeds out of your shoes.Unlike your usual road running route around the neighborhood, no one will see you tearing up the trails. This is the perfect occasion to wear that favorite 15-year-old T-shirt that your spouse threatens to use as a cleaning rag.•

Run lightly. On uneven ground, you've got to be ready to change direction quickly. Run on the balls of your feet and it will be easier to maintain balance and readjust body position. Think of having swivel-joint ankles and shock-absorber knees.•

Reset your sights. Road runners are used to looking up and looking around. Trail running requires a closer focus. Keep your eyes trained on the ground immediately in front of your feet. While doing that, scan up to 10 feet ahead occasionally to plan your next steps and to avoid running into overhanging branches and protruding briars.•

Shorten your stride. Running shorter steps will keep weight centered over your feet, help with balance and is easier on the knees. It also makes for better traction on slippery rocks and wet leaves.•

Practice. Running on trails is an acquired taste. Start slowly and pay attention to technique before racing on trails or you'll risk a fall or a sprained ankle.If you practice alone, let someone know where you are going and your estimated return time. You never know when you'll need to be rescued, but you'll want to know that help is on the way.•

GPS is your friend. It's hard to judge distances on trails since you're not running at your normal road-training pace. A GPS will accurately measure distance as long as the satellite can track you in dense tree cover.•

Throw away the stopwatch. Trail races like last Saturday's Dirt Monster or Thanksgiving Day's GUTBUSTER are fun, but don't expect a personal best on one of these off-road adventures. Instead of a fast finishing time, aim for a great finishing place against your competition.•

Run, don't race. At this time of year, I'm tired of racing but I still enjoy the company and the safety of running in a group, especially in the woods. View these end-of-season trail races as fun runs or rewards for the hard training and racing you've done over the summer and fall.Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5K, Apollo. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Armstrong YMCA Fall Classic 5K and 10K, Kittanning. Family registration discount. 724-545-9622 or jbecker@armstrongymca.orgNov. 26, 8:15 a.m. Downtown YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Pittsburgh. 412-227-6428 or pmccomb@ymcapgh.orgNov. 26, 9 a.m.: Gobber's Gallop 5K and 10K, Ellwood City. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.comNov. 26, 9 a.m.: New Castle YMCA Thanksgiving 5K, New Castle. 724-658-4766 or migliano@ncymca.orgNov. 26, 9 a.m.: Greensburg Turkey Trot 5K, Greensburg. chpalcic@msn.comNov. 26, 9:30 a.m.: Latrobe Turkey Trot 5K, Latrobe. 724-658-4766 or migliano@ncymca.orgNov. 26, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble 5K, Hermitage. glackey@eglolaw.comNov. 26, 10 a.m.: Harry Holland GUTBUSTER, Pittsburgh. Choice of 8 miles, 4 miles or 2 miles on Frick Park trails. 412-341-0684 or bchoon@verizon.netNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Treesdale Turkey Trot 5K, Pine Township. Run at Treesdale Golf Club. 724-625-2220 or www.treesdalegolf.comDec. 5, 9 a.m.: Shenango-Thon 5K, Hermitage. Starts at Buhl Farms Park. 724-983-2846 or bes5143@psu.eduDec. 6, 9:30 a.m.: Holiday 5K Walk-Run, New Brighton. 412-495-9417 or hilfinger@newbrightonborough.orgDec. 6, 9 a.m.: Trot for Tots 10K and 5K, Oakdale Bring a new, unwrapped toy for this benefit race. 412-490-0881 or ksmith@eliterunners.comDec. 6, 10 a.m.: Deerslayer Trail Challenge, South Park. Run 4 or 8 miles on rugged trails. 724-348-6012 or cgarber_us@comcast.netDec. 6, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. 814-571-1960 or eggler@geosc.psu.eduDec. 12, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run-Walk 5K, Pittsburgh. North Shore. Benefits Arthritis Foundation. 412-566-1645 or lmautioarthritis.orgRace results

Oil Creek 50K, Oct. 10: Brent Henderson, 1st Overall M, 4:42:41; Janice Musick, 1st Overall W, 6:14:23; Tammy McGaughey, 1st 40-49 W, 6:30:55; Eric McCandless, 7:21:48; Barb McCandless, 7:21:48; Robert Mars, 7:38:01; Tom Parenti, 8:44:11; Steve Beers, 11:15:49

Oil Creek 50-Mile, Oct. 10: Shaun Pope, 1st Overall M, 7:40:05; Jenny Motway, 1st Overall W, 10:10:26; Valerie Kunkel, 2nd 40-49 W, 11:03:34; Ken Zellars, 1st 60-69 M, 12:34:06; Michael Cornell, 13:42:57

Oil Creek 100-Mile, Oct. 10: Richard Cook, 1st Overall M, 19:13:18; Jennie Chow, 1st Overall W, 2:51:37

Monster Stomp 5K, Oct. 17: George Kelly, 1st Overall M, 17:18; Chris Snyder, 1st Overall W, 19:37; Sarah Thompson, 2nd Overall W, 19:55; Christopher Papp, 1st 16-19 M, 18:31; Mitch Radella, 3rd 40-44 M, 20:44; Kevin Wildruck, 1st 30-34 M, 20:54; Tom McNear, 2nd 30-34 M, 21:27; David Suber, 2nd 50-54 M, 24:44; Garrett McCullough, 2nd 20-24 M, 24:34; Tara Gilson, 2nd 30-34 W, 25:50; Cindy Suber, 1st 45-49 W, 26:34; Donald Cescon, 3rd 70 and over M, 40:00; Josh Sanders, 3rd 16-19 M, 51:23; Jean Weitzel, 1st 70 and over W, 58:16Jerry Johns, 22:38; Chuck Johns, 22:51; Brian Droz, 25:48; Jeff McCullough, 25:57; Justin Curry, 32:23; Erica Monaco, 36:30; Ada Rumberg, 39:01; Connie Hoffer, 42:36; Debra Peary, 43:37; Denise Brain, 44:15; Marsh Miller, 51:47; John Janowski, 55:39; Carrie Lachendro, 56:56; Rick Blaskowitz, 57:17; Susan Blaskowitz, 57:19; Justin Allen, 57:42; Mary Strange, 59:17; Brett Blaskowitz, 1:00:05

Operation Troop Appreciation 5K, Nov. 8: Dan Blackman, 1st Overall M, 16:31; Lisa Chilcote, 1st Overall W, 20:23; Cory Steinhagen, 1st 20-24 M, 18:19; Brian Forester, 1st 35-39 M, 18:29; Scott Slaney, 1st 15-19 M, 18:55; Chad Baker, 3rd 20-24 M, 21:01; Gage Zimmerman, 2nd 11-14 M, 21:24; Bill Wyant, 2nd 40-44 M, 21:40; Kristen Suvick, 1st 40-44 W, 22:08; Ryan Smith, 1st 30-34 M, 22:18; William Loeffler, 2nd 50-54 M, 23:33; Marilyn Larocca, 1st 45-49 W, 24:39; Linda Etherson, 2nd 45-49 W, 24:47; Doug Saklad, 2nd 45-49 M, 25:13; Julia Etherson, 1st 10 and under W, 26:01; Katrina Smith, 3rd 30-34 W, 26:59; Becky Desantis, 1st 60-64 W, 28:36; Janis Hackett, 3rd 50-54 W, 31:11; Rose Brandberg, 3rd 15-19 W, 35:53Tyler Saklad, 22:59; Robert Hunt, 23:18; Shawn Ryan, 23:48; Kristina Larocca, 26:18; Karen Munsey, 27:26; Joel Larocca, 28:08; Michael K. Larocca, 28:18; Morgan Cousins-Raypush, 29:16; Dana Hogue, 30:06; Kevin Ryan, 30:48; Kiara Larocca, 30:53; Lauren Ryan, 30:54; Kristen Hughes, 31:14; Linda Ryan, 31:16; Beth Skinner, 31:29; Laura Augustine, 32:01; Christopher Raible, 32:06; Debbie Saklad, 33:42; Anne Semmler, 34:15; Brian Hess, 35:08; Jamie Munsley, 36:49; Jeff Huckestein, 37:58; Joe Huckestein, 38:18; Christine Bailey, 38:46; Tammy Hughes, 44:23Send 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.