“It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times,” to paraphrase Charles Dickens.

With the Pittsburgh Marathon scheduled for May 4, that’s how many runners feel this week.

Marathon training for Pittsburgh began months ago for more than 3,500 runners, experienced marathoners and first-timers. After months of building strength and endurance, avoiding illness and injury and overcoming setbacks of various kinds, it’s time to taper.

In some ways, the 2 to 3 weeks of tapering is the best of times. The constant fatigue and soreness from miles of running is gradually replaced by a feeling of strength. And the mental stress of following a demanding training regimen in addition to the demands of real life finally relaxes.

But while training hard is physically and mentally difficult, not training hard has its own challenges.

After long months of time-consuming runs, more free time can be off-putting. Runners must resist the urge to expend their new-found energy on landscaping projects, 1-on-1 driveway basketball or any number of other physical activities that risk injury or overuse.

And there’s the temptation to pre-test marathon fitness. A body that’s done nothing but run and run more for months doesn’t know when enough is enough. A good taper includes enough running to maintain fitness without the mental and physical stress of pushing the pace or distance to new heights.

An idle mind is as dangerous as a resting body. The anxiety and worry that creeps in during taper time can make it the worst of times.

Of course, there’s second-guessing the choice of shoes, clothing, training plan and the marathon itself. Then, there’s fear of sudden injury or illness that threatens to derail the best of plans. And if you’re like me, all this catastrophizing spirals out of control until all you want to do is curl up in the recliner with a big bowl of ice cream.

But wait! hold the ice cream!

Training for a marathon requires a large ingestion of calories; tapering does not. It’s easy to overeat during the weeks of lower mileage and energy demand and to arrive at the marathon starting line with a few (or many) extra pounds to carry on that 26.2 mile journey.

In marathoning as in many things in life, it’s important to choose a goal and see it through. Tapering is an important step toward reaching the marathon goal.

If you’re not one of the marathoners crossing the finish line at Pittsburgh on May 4, there are a few spots available for the half marathon and back half.

Or sign up to help. Various volunteer positions are available for Pittsburgh Live Well Expo May 2-3, Kids 5K on May 3, Marathon and Half Marathon on May 4. Visit www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/pages/volunteers-pittsburgh-marathon.

The Pittsburgh Marathon will be a little sadder this year with the passing of area running legend Don Slusser, who had run every Pittsburgh Marathon and every Pittsburgh Great Race. He died tragically in a kayak accident April 11.

Don and wife, Tammy, both IUP Hall of Fame athletes, are known as running royalty throughout the region. In addition to his own athletic achievements such as finishing ninth overall at the 1976 Boston Marathon with temperatures in the 90s, Don was a longtime physical education teacher, coach and race director.

Don and Tammy had a long relationship with the Butler running scene. Tammy won the Butler Road Race several times, and, decades ago, the Slussers began their wedding day by running in Butler.

Tammy will be running the Pittsburgh Marathon this year in memory and in celebration of Don Slusser’s life and passion for running.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: On the Dam Trail – Quemahoning Relay Races, Hooversville. Choice of 50K 4-Person Relay, 50K or 30K solo runs. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=119056&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3I4xFiC18rYD6fKb1HLVrTSWc93kU93IDw7S9ygM13F8OeDlDcOMd4UVA_aem_h8j73trbOHB2hAEQ1RmkrQ

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day Dash 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Prizes, pierogies and polka. 412-327-6074 or www.dyngusdash.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Earth Day 5K, Wexford. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Wexford/FriendSEarthDayK

April 30, 6:30 p.m.: Frick Park Spring Trail Series, Pittsburgh. Race No. 1 with 5 miles and 600 feet of climb on Frick Park trails. www.movemint.cc/events/frick_park_spring_2025_trail_race_series_2025

May 2-4: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh. Variety of options from 40-yard Toddler Trot and 1-Mile Pet Walk to Marathon. p3r.org/races/dick-s-sporting-goods-pittsburgh-marathon

May 3, 9 a.m.: Where the River Runs, Greenville. Point-to-point 15K on Shenango Trail. 724-977-2958 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Greenville/WhereTheRiverRunsTrailRace

May 7, 6:30 p.m.: Frick Park Spring Trail Series, Pittsburgh. Race No. 2 in series with 5.84 miles and 600 feet of climb on Frick Park trails. www.movemint.cc/events/frick_park_race_2__may14_2025

May 10, 6 a.m.: Glacier Ridge 20-Mile, 50K and 50-Mile, Portersville. Challenging trail runs starting at Moraine State Park’s North Shore. Volunteers also needed. www.glacierridgetrailultra.com

May 10, 9 a.m.: Thrifty 5K, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Pool area, Garage Sale with vintage GCXC shirts and medals. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Thrifty5KPittsburgh

May 10, 9:30 a.m.: Paws & Feet 5K, Ford City. 724-859-3559 or calliesbartender@gmail.com

May 11, 9 a.m.: Butler’s Back the Blue 5K, Butler. Also 2-Mile Walk starting at Alameda Park’s carousel pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlersBacktheBlue5k

May 11, 9 a.m.: Run Like a Mother 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, Portersville. Run/walk on Moraine State Park’s paved bike trail starting at North Shore Beach Pavilion 4. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunLikeaMother5kMoraineStatePark

May 14, 6:30 p.m.: Frick Park Spring Trail Series, Pittsburgh. Race No. 3 in series with 5.84 miles and 600 feet of climb on Frick Park trails. Orienteering event of 5-6 miles in Frick Park. www.movemint.cc/events/race_3_orienteering_by_kevin_tucker_2025

May 16, 7 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. 724-354-3779 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalk

May 17, 7 a.m.: Oil Creek 5 & 13 Mile Stacked Trail Races, Titusville. Choice of 5, 13 or 18 miles on Gerard Hiking Trail in Oil Creek State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Titusville/OilCreekStackedTrailRaces

May 17, 10 a.m.: Hope in the Vineyard 5K Run/Walk, Hunker. Run through grounds of Bella Terra Vineyards, post-race glass of wine. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hunker/HopeintheVineyard

May 18, 10 a.m.: Lace Up for the Library presented by Patti J. Nelson Foundation, Evans City. Challenging course on back roads with post-race lunch benefits Evans City Library. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EvansCity/PattiJNelsonFoundationMemorialRunWalk

May 21, 6:30 p.m.: Frick Park Spring Trail Series, Pittsburgh. www.movemint.cc/events/frick_park_race_4_5mile_speed_2025_Rw

Ellport 5K, March 8: Drew Steffler, 1st Overall M, 15:55; Falyn Kiebler, 1st Overall W, 22:14; Matt Bernardi, 1st 50-54 M, 19:53; Brad Patsy, 1st 45-49 M, 20:20; Brian Emler, 2nd 50-54 M, 21:33; Aidan Uher, 2nd 20-24 M, 21:46; Jake McClintock, 1st 15-19 M, 22:41; John Armstrong, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:37; Jim Gallagher, 3rd 55-59 M, 24:30; David Suber, 1st 65-69 M, 26:15; Megan Plunkard, 2nd 45-49 W, 29:39; Cindy Suber, 1st 65-69 W, 29:44; Keith Burka, 3rd 35-39 M, 30:16; Tracy Farone, 2nd 50-54 W, 31:25; Chloe Stebbins, 2nd 20-24 W, 33:04; Patricia Neubert, 1st 70-74 W, 33:28; Tony Sunseri, 3rd 75-79 M, 33:51; Molly McPeak, 3rd 60-64 W, 40:10; Robert Sands, 2nd 80+ M, 41:14; Logan McPeak, 3rd 20-24 M, 49:47

Ellport 5K Walk, March 8: Carl Kondrach, 1st Overall M, 32:56; Donna Laver, 1st Overall W, 47:01; Kim Kenetz, 2nd Overall W, 53:00

Ellport 5K Wheelchair, March 8: Andrew Grossman, 1st Overall M, 24:13

Rabid Racoon Trail 5K, March 14: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 20:02; Josh McGinley, 2nd Overall M, 20:36; Brandon Wise, 22:49; A. Harcar, 23:53; P. Crefeld, 23:54; Alexandra Peworchik, 31:48; Laura Smetak, 35:23

Rabid Raccoon Trail Half Marathon, March 15: Tim Parr, 1st Overall M, 1:28:44; Rebecca Clark, 1st Overall W, 1:56:23; Gwendolyn Sudak, 4th Overall W, 2:06:47; Matthew Sudak, 1:55:53; Robert Dummer, 2:20:00; Andrew Chwalik, 2:24:48; Nicholas Meriwether, 2:29:12; Kevin Smetak, 2:30:42; Keith Smetak, 2:31:57; Damon Clark, 2:36:21; Chad Coblitz, 2:37:23; Jeffrey Lynn, 2:47:52; Michael Smelko, 2:49:23; Dylan Thompson, 2:56:04; Ryan Kepins, 2:57:30; Jinny Hertweck, 3:04:07; McKenzie Kerr, 3:14:26; Patricia Neubert, 3:21:51; Maria Anderson,3:21:57; Heather Moser, 3:30:00

Rabid Raccoon Trail 100K, March 15: Justin Kelsey, 1st Overall M, 10:41:51; Rebecca Kosek, 1st Overall W, 12:04:02; Adam Stillwagon, 14:02:28; Traci Hanna, 17:27:50; Sara Porter, 20:02:11; Hayden Gerhart, 21:32:41

Rabid Raccoon Trail 100 Mile, March 15: Dan Green, 1st Overall M, 17:00:05; Rachel Moore, 1st Overall W, 23:43:27; Melanie Hoy, 5th Overall W, 26:39:42; Clinton Hepler, 22:31:35; Myah Haid, 33:11:26

Rabid Raccoon Midnight Half Marathon, March 16: Tim Parr, 1st Overall M, 1:39:41; Katherine Brosky, 1st Overall W, 2:09:11; Josh McGinley, 2:08:26; Justin Popa, 4:15:55; Tiah Popa, 4:15:59; Gary McClintock, 29:44; Cara Pertile, 30:39; Lacey Lodovico, 30:39; Jenn Fesler, 32:09; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 34:11; Paul Johnson, 34:54; Jennifer McCurdy, 39:32; Jo-Anna Wooster, 42:59

Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, March 15: Adam Potter, 1st Overall M, 1:25:47; Charlie Mullins, 3rd Overall M, 1:29:00; Adrienne Harmon, 1st Overall W, 1:37:49; Anna Everett, 3rd Overall W, 1:38:44; Roberto Da Silva, 2nd 30-34 M, 1:47:08; John H. Armstrong, 2nd 55-59 M, 2:01:00; Chrissy Lawlor, 3rd 40-44 W, 2:06:12; Vanessa Johnson, 3rd 35-39 W, 2:10:54; Abigail Benninger, 1st 30-34 W, 2:11:29; Nellie Zuba, 2nd 50-54 W, 2:13:19; Ed Schmiech, 1st 65-69 M, 2:14:08; Mollie Gallagher, 3rd 20-29 W, 2:16:41; Emily Harmon, 2nd 30-34 W, 2:16:41; Brooke Sheldon, 3rd 19 & Under W, 2:19:00; Vasilii Surov, 3rd 45-49 M, 2:25:07; Mike Zucatti, 3rd 40-44 M, 2:34:02; David Murray, 3rd 55-59 M, 2:34:15; Bryce Markwardt, 1:53:02; Gwen Pierce, 2:17:02; Maddy Karns, 2:24:56; Andrew Karns, 2:39:24; Stephanie Haase, 3:31:39

South Park Half Marathon: Josh Duffie, 1st Overall M, 1:29:54; Terry Beacom, 3rd Overall M, 1:33:46; Christina Thompson, 1st Overall W, 1:40:51; Robert Dummer, 1:49:49; Brett Smithco, 1:51:13; Mark Casteel, 2:01:54; Robert Luttner, 2:04:27; Jesse Fesel, 2:05:26; Chad Coblitz, 2:15:35; Nellie Zuba, 2:19:11; Matt Riffle, 2:21:07; Gypsy Dreveniak, 2:27:54; Vasilii Surov, 2:33:17; Karina Luttner, 2:36:58; Anna Claire Puglia, 2:55:18; Ariana Clark, 3:03:34

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net