It’s almost back-to-school time.

I still remember that annual shopping trip with Grandma — trying on school clothes, the scent and shine of brand new shoes, an undented lunchbox in the latest Barbie or superhero motif. After a lazy, hot summer, the new school year glistened with opportunity and potential.

My school days are far behind, but as a runner, I still look forward to fall as a brand new season shining with miles and races yet run. And just as the school year was a lot more fun with new stuff, fall running season is more enjoyable and productive with a new plan or goal.

New school shoes. I used to love skipping across the playground in brand new school shoes. And now I feel the same about bounding down the road in new running shoes, especially if I’ve waited too long for replacements. Depending on the shoe construction and the wearer’s physiology, and running surface, shoes will have a lifespan of between 300-600 miles. If yours show significant tread wear, signs of midsole compression, or tears and holes in the upper fabric, it’s time for retirement.

Choose a goal. Every school year starts with a curriculum and educational benchmarks to achieve. A goal race or event gives you a point to mark running achievement.

Start by realistically assessing your current fitness level. If you are just beginning, an attainable goal is being able to run/walk a half hour at least three days per week. If you’ve just completed a marathon or more, you can easily race a fall half.

Choose a goal event at least eight weeks away, depending on the race distance and your current fitness level. If you’ve already been running 5k’s this summer, pick a Halloween 10k or Thanksgiving half marathon. Or if time and resources allow, splurge with a destination marathon for Christmas.

Fall is a great time to run off-road. Choose a late fall trail race and enjoy the change in seasons as you build mileage for your foliage tour.

Training plans. Teachers develop lesson plans based on curriculum and goals. Runners likewise. There are an overwhelming number of training philosophies and associated plans available online, in books or magazines, or through your local fitness center or coach. Choose a plan based on your goals, fitness level and willingness or ability to train.

If you are new to running, Jeff Galloway’s run/walk program is a great way to ease into the sport. View training plans for 5k through half marathon at www.jeffgalloway.com. If your body can’t handle the pounding of every day running but you want to run faster and stronger, Run Less, Run Faster by Bill Pierce, Scott Muir and Ray Moss offers training for everything from a neighborhood 5k through Boston qualifying marathon by running hard workouts on three days and cross training two days per week.

Run with your classmates. One of the best parts of going back to school in September was catching up with friends I hadn’t seen since May. If you prefer the support and camaraderie of group running, ask your local running store or fitness center about training groups in your area.

Each running group has its own purpose and personality. Some lean toward serious running with specific goals, plans and training regimens. Others are more social events. You may have to visit several before you find the right fit. Or recruit some friends to join you on the road.

Remember that, just like learning to read, learning to run and race is a process as well as a goal. Enjoy.

Upcoming events

Friday, 7 p.m.: 8k Scrub Run/Walk, North Park. Run 2 loops (or 1 loop for 4k) around North Park Pool area. Strollers and pets welcome. 412-748-6648 or steinsdoerferj@ph.upmc.edu

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Growling Beaver 5k Challenge Run, DuBois. Starts at Wasson Elementary School, runs the Dubois Area Cross Country course. 814-591-8188 or dasdxbooster@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Yinzer 5k & Lil’ Yinzer Fun Run, Pittsburgh. Run with black and gold theme starts at Heinz Field Great Lawn. 412-258-6183 or kpirl@lightoflife.org

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Butler County Habitat for Humanity Youth Triathlon, Cranberry Township. Held at North Boundary Park. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Aug. 26, 8 a.m.: 6th Annual Heart and Sole 5k and Bike Duathlon, Ford City. 724-763-3974 or fcrcpcares@gmail.com

Aug.26, 8 a.m.: Punxsutawney Trail Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. Also 5k and 1 mile. Run on Mahoning Shadow Trail and Punxsutawney Rail Trail. 908-872-9565

Aug. 26, 8 a.m.: Presque Isle Triathlon, Erie. Sprint triathlon with .35 mile bay swim, 13 mile bike, 3.5 mile run for individuals and teams starts at Waterworks Cookhouse Pavilion. 814-450-9526 or patdavis1200@gmail.com

Aug.26, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square 5k, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood streets and Frick Park wooded trails. Also 1.5 mile fun run/walk. 412-731-4456 or pmdirienzo@verizon.net

Sept. 2, 9 a.m.: French Creek ½ Marathon and 5k, Meadville. Run mostly on paved trail along French Creek. 814-336-2196 or kristoph.ymca@zoominternet.net

Sept. 2, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. Held in conjunction with Fireman’s Festival. 724-354-3779 or rfrailey@windstream.com

Sept. 3, 8 a.m.: Bull Dam Trail Run, North East. Choice of 5k, 10k or half marathon starting at Howard Eaton Reservoir. 814-323-0241 or bulldamtrailrun.net

Sept. 4, 7 a.m.: Buhl Day Half Marathon & 5k, Hermitage. Run from Buhl Farm Park. 5k starts at 9 A.M. 724-981-3700 or info@buhlrun.org

Sept. 9, 8 a.m.: Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5k, Saxonburg. Final race in Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-355-5059 or shoes@runpa.cm

Sept. 9, 9 a.m.: Fueled by Fire 5k Race/Walk, Mars. Starts at Adams Township Community Park, benefits Adams Area and Callery Fire Departments. 724-316-1173 or hgeyer@adamstwp.org

Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m.: Green Cathedral Half Marathon, 5k and Kids Fun Run, Youngstown, OH. Run through Mill Creek MetroPark. Kids run starts at 8 A.M., 5k at 8:45 A.M. carolv@millcreekmetroparks.org

September 10, 9 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic 10k and 5k Trail Runs, North Park. Bamboo medals, post-race food and Philippino Dance Troupe performance. Faap5krace.yolasite.com

Sept. 10, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. 724-541-0013 or fulmer_cd@yahoo.com

Sept. 16, 8 a.m.: Premium Outlets 5k, Grove City. Run at Grove City Outlets benefits Simon Youth Foundation. First in Wolf Creek Track Club Fall 5k Series. Wolfcreektrackclub.com

Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m.: Rockin the Knob Trail Challenge 30k and 5 Mile, Claysburg. Run at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. 5 mile event starts at 9:30 A.M. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/rockin-the-knob

Race results

Trail Blazer 15k, July 9: Jeremy Parsons, 1st Overall M, 53:22; Jenny Picot, 1st Overall W, 58:12; John Armstrong, 1st 50-54 M, 1:07:16; Gary Bell, 1st 70+ M, 1:16:23; William Woods, 1:32:42

Trail Blazer 5k, July 9: Cole Hurley, 1st Overall M, 19:45; Lauryn Oyler, 1st Overall W, 22:38; Danielle Busi, 1st 60-64 W, 34:10

Saxonburg Cross Country Crusade 5k, July 15: Isaac Davanzati, 1st Overall M, 19:39; Holden Stallsmith, 2nd Overall M, 20:09; Daniel Deal, Jr., 3rd Overall M, 20:20; Sammy Jo Barnes, 1st Overall W, 23:51; Amelia Walls, 2nd Overall 2nd Overall W, 25:09; Jinny Hertweck, 3rd Overall W, 26:03; Derek C. Dean, 1st Masters M, 22:37; Eric Slagle, 2nd Masters M, 23:10; Robert Sforza, 3rd Masters M, 24:53; Susie Woller, 1st Masters W, 27:20; Dawn Brahler, 2nd Masters W, 27:24; Patricia Neubert, 3rd Masters W, 30:44; Jason Sittler, 1st 35-49 M, 20:48; Patrick Jones, 1st 14-19 M, 22:01; Luke Klutschkowski, 3rd 14-19 M, 22:28; Eric Shoemaker, 2nd 35-49 M, 24:41; Ryan Shoemaker, 3rd 35-49 M, 24:45; Ron Schoentag, 1st 60+ M, 26:11; Braydon Sloan, 1st 13 & Under M, 26:49; Megan Swantner, 1st 14-19 W, 28:02; Heather Walker, 2nd 14-19 W, 29:10; Chalee Durand, 3rd 14-19 W, 29:11; Ben Ellison, 2nd 13 & Under M, 30:31; Isaiah Dean, 3rd 13 & Under M, 30:33; Grace Bogacz, 1st 13 & Under W, 31:17; Anthony Boerio, 1st 50-59 M, 31:25; Criselda Dean, 1st 35-39 W, 34:14; Michele Belak, 1st 50-59 W, 35:23; Wendy Collins, 3rd 35-49 W, 36:56; Debra Kuminkoski, 2nd 50-59 W, 35:23; Dezso Csizmadia, 2nd 60+ M, 39:33; Beth Skinner, 3rd 50-59 M, 40:37; Rick Booth, 3rd 60+ M, 41:38; Sam Freyermuth, 22:33; William Crytzer, 22:44; Tristan Lynch, 25:30; Brady Collins, 25:56; Tim VanTine, 26:07; Travis Domhoff, 26:56; Chad Martin, 27:30; Jared Froedtert, 28:01; Joseph Drozinski, 28:28; Izzy Froedtert, 30:48; Aiden Trofimuk, 31:00; Daniel Bogacz, 31:24; Wesson Brahler, 33:05; Dean J. Derek, 34:13; Todd Trofimuk, 35:10

East Brady Riverfest 5k, July 22: Hunter Wharrey, 1st Overall M, 16:56; Ean King, 2nd Overall M, 19:16; Mckenna Bowes, 1st Overall W, 21:54; Kara Yasika, 2nd Overall W, 22:18; Elizabeth Weiland, 3rd Overall W, 26:20; David Olszak, 21:39; Evan Olszak, 21:44; Scott Bowes, 22:18; John Olszak, 23:15; Ryan Shumaker, 24:33; Eric Shumaker, 24:36; Steve Wilson, 25:18; Jason Troutman, 25:26; Fred Weaver, 25:32; Luke Anderson, 26:14; Alex Wilson, 27:55; Jen Moore, 29:24; Nicholas Moore, 29:25; Dave King, 29:30; Robert Crawford, 29:43; Jeanine Root, 30:03; Brundan Laughlin, 30:04; Bria Gillott, 30:49; Aaron Rogers, 31:10; Justin Beham, 31:24; Silvio G. Andreassi, 31:25; Silvio Andreassi, 31:29; Cassandra Davis, 32:15; Aaron Weckerly, 32:25; Sara Lewis, 32:48; Caleb Root, 34:20; Sonja Crawford, 34:25; Allysa Walker, 34:31; Joe Charlton, 35:42; Debra Kuminkoski, 37:14; Levi Anderson, 37:27; Elena Root, 41:14; Nicole Claypoole, 41:16; Melanie Bartel, 42:15; Mel Risinger, 42:16; Scott Andreassi, 48:49

Miles for McKeever 5k, Aug. 2: Ryder Brophy, 1st Overall M, 22:28; Gianna Guerino, 1st Overall W, 22:43; Chrissy Hayes, 1st 30-39 W, 27:09; Mark Courtney, 1st 60-69 M, 27:37; James Lakin, 2nd 60-69 M, 30:48; Carly Stewart, 1st 20-29 W, 37:21; Sonja Crawford, 2nd 60-69 W, 39:36; Debbie Jamison, 3rd 50-59 W, 40:01; Debra Kuminkoski, 46:24; Wade Fisher, 53:09; Suzy DeGeorge, 1:01:58; Shelly Comer, 1:01:59; Beth Dickey, 1:02:05; Ellen Stickles, 1:03:22

Miles for McKeever Kids Run, Aug. 2: Owen James, 3:10; Riley Brophy, 3:21; Kaelan Monroe, 3:30; Jace James, 3:33; Orian Paglia, 3:41; Grace Ferringer, 3:43; Rowan Paglia, 3:48; Amayla Monroe, 3:53; Quintin Clark, 4:30; Carter Smith, 4:48; Sylan Paglia, 5:26

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle