I’ve never prayed for patience because I know what it takes to get it. But I think I’ve developed a little bit of perseverance over my six-month recovery from a partial Achilles tear.

The nagging soreness appeared during training for last October’s three-day Trailfest in Utah and hung on through the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon. By the finish of the OBX Half Marathon three weeks later, I knew something was wrong — something that couldn’t be fixed by more running or by taking a few days off.

So here I am after a futile round of physical therapy, an MRI, a painful platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and a month of hobbling around in a boot followed by more PT. I am ready to begin running again.

My doctor had given me the OK to resume running two months after the PRP injection with the advice to “Take it easy. Start with a quarter-mile.” This time I vowed to follow his orders as I circled the date on the calendar.

In July, each time I passed by the kitchen calendar or checked my phone schedule, I saw the simple entry, RUN, on August 6. I longed to be free of the boot, the therapy exercises, the slow walks and spinning classes. I wanted to run.

I began to fantasize about my first quarter mile. Should I rise early on that day to catch the first rays of summer sun or wait until dusk with the full moon rising, to run on Leslie Road with the fireflies and croaking frogs in the valley? Or bump up the intensity by running in the middle of the dog days of summer?

I could challenge myself with any number of tough uphill quarters — the ascent along the ridge in Harrison Hills Park on Rachel Carson Trail or a climb on the old Butler Road Race course through Alameda Park. But uphill challenges would have to wait.

I could choose a downhill route, unleash my stride and run on the edge of flying or falling. I thought of the last quarter mile of Dirt Monster Trail Race, leaping over roots, sliding on rocks, hoping to remain upright and just ahead of the competition until the grassy meadow at the finish line.

Or I could choose any number of downhills in my neighborhood — Deer Creek Road in either direction leading home, the last descent to Glade Lake. Once again I reminded myself — baby steps. This should be a run with restraint, not abandon.

Besides, there are plenty of flat or nearly level quarter miles to choose from, even in hilly western PA. I love the gently sloped scenic stretch of Butler-Freeport Trail south of Sarver Fire Hall. And if I can get past a few hissing Canada geese, there’s the flat pavement circumnavigating the lower ponds of Deer Lakes Park.

I could mark this new-beginning run by returning to the start of my journey. I still remember the hot July afternoon so many decades ago when I ran my first wobbly, breathless quarter mile down my driveway. Or perhaps I should run an entirely new route as a symbol of rebirth.

My musing in choosing the first recovery quarter occupied my daydreams in the weeks leading up to August 6. It filled in my time of inactivity and reminded me of what I love about running. Every day is a new adventure no matter where, when or how I choose to run if I can run.

On the morning of August 4, I simply rolled out of bed at Dave’s house. We laced up our shoes and without fanfare, headed out the door at a brisk walk. Somewhere along the quiet neighborhood street, I broke into a wobbly jog, then a breathless run. I stretched the distance to .4 miles before slowing for a cooldown walk.

It wasn’t graceful, it wasn’t fast. But it was running and it felt like more.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Run Club Group Run, Cranberry Township. Run from Mojo Running store. 724-772-2808 or www.mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 6:30 a.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Short run followed by BYOB beer sharing at Up-N-Running store. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: David Hutton Memorial 5k, Emporium. 814-558-7934 or www.davidhuttonmemorial.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run for Joy 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Runforjoy5k@gmail.com or www.alexisjoyfoundation.org

Aug. 25, 9 a.m.: 5k Banana Run, Latrobe. Part of Festival celebrating the banana split. 724-537-4331 or dawn@latroberecreation.org

Aug. 25, 9 a.m.: American Spirit Aviation Festival 5k, St. Marys. Part of American Spirit Aviation Festival. 814-776-2413 or bczappa504@comcast.net

Aug. 25, 9 a.m.: Run around the Square 5k, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square and Frick Park. 412-731-4456 or www.runaroundthesquare.com

Aug. 26, 8 a.m.: Butler County Habitat for Humanity Youth Triathlon, Cranberry Township. Held in North Boundary Park. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Aug. 26, 8 a.m.: Indiana County Fair Inaugural 5k and Fun Walk, Indiana. Ends with half mile on the track in Mack Park. tconrad@nextierbank.com or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/ICF5k

Sept. 1, 7 a,.m.: French Creek Half Marathon and 5k, Meadville. Run mostly on paved Ernst Trail. 814-336-2196 or www.facebook.com/frenchcreekhalfmarathon

Sept. 3, 7 a.m.: Buhl Day Half and 5k, Hermitage. Starts and finishes at Buhl Farm Park. Also 5k start at 9 a.m. 724-981-5880 or www.buhlcommunityreccenter.com

Sept. 8, 8 a.m.: Barber Beast on the Bay 10 Mile, Erie. Obstacle run in Presque Isle State Park. 814-480-6810 or www.barberbeast.org

Sept. 8, 8 a.m.: Diamond Dash 10k, 6k Run and 5k Walk Race, Hollidaysburg. Sponsored by YMCA. fkopriva@hollidaysburgymca.org

Sept. 9, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavillion. 814-504-2631 or www.eriemarathon.org

Sept. 9, 8 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Fall Sprint Triathlon, Portersville. Staged in Moraine State Park. www.mightymoraineman.com

Sept. 9, 8:30 a.m.: FAAP 5k, 10k and 20k, North Park. Starts at Harmar Pavillion. attorneymarkknapp@yahoo.com or faap5krace.yolasite.com/

Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. Run on Hoodlebug Rail Trail. 724-541-0013 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

Sept. 15, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5k, New Bethlehem. 814-221-1322 or www.newbethlehemarea.com

Sept. 15, 9:30 a.m.: Rockin the Knob 10k and 22 Miler, Claysburg. Challenging trail runs at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. www.alleghenyrailrunners.com/rockin-the-knob/

Sept. 16, 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. www.millcreekmetroparks.org/visit/things-to-do/green-cathedral/

Sept. 23, 9 a.m.: Butler Lions Club Scoot and Toot 5k, Butler. 724-287-4059 or jbindernagel@theblindassociation.org

Race results

Ford City 5k, June 30: Josh Rader, 1st Overall M, 17:03; Melissa Conjack, 1st Overall W, 21:04; Chelsey Kabel, 3rd Overall W, 22:29; Ean King, 1st 40-44 M, 19:34; Lauren Denny, 1st 20-24 W, 22:59; Erin Schaeffer, 1st 11 & Under W, 26:23; Dave King, 2nd 65-69 M, 28:06; Frank Prazenica Jr., 2nd 70+ M, 32:27; Renee Crossman, 3rd 65-69 W, 52:52; Jamie Sychak, 25:32; Scott Neff, 27:31; Travis Domhoff, 28:23; Michel Dailey, 28:32; James Gascoine, 29:01; Alan Buriak, 31:00; Bill Kerr, 31:01; Ryan Good, 32:02; Julia Thomas, 35:54; Jaimi Titus, 37:30; Cari Sychak, 39:48; Anastazia Herbst, 39:58; Lora Spohn, 40:24; Roger Walker, 41:38; Kaelin Koehler, 43:07; Annette Herbst, 43:18; Valana Vigler, 45:16; Rachael Burnette, 47:06; Crystal Zier, 47:08; Lora Spohn, 40:24; Roger Walker, 41:38; Kaelin Koehler, 43:07; Annette Herbst, 43:18; Valana Vigler, 45:16; Rachael Burnette, 47:06; Crystal Zier, 47:08; Kathy Dailey, 47:36; Laini Spohn, 58:04

Race for Love and Life, June 30: Wil Bailey, 1st Overall M, 18:11; Peter Swain, 3rd Overall M, 20:13; Katie Baxter, 1st Overall W, 21:50; Jackie Lashley, 3rd Overall W, 25:08; 24:07; Matt Scoletti, 1st 30-39 M, 24:07; Rachel Swain, 1st 20-24 W, 29:08; Ralph Swain, 1st 50-59 M, 29:36; Michael Boyle, 1st 15-19 M, 29:51; Kristen Swain, 3rd 40-49 W, 30:44; Grace Boyle, 1st 25-29 W, 30:52; Fiona Sowers, 1st 50-59 W, 34:28; Rachel Boyle, 3rd 50-59 W, 41:34

Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, July 4: Camden Seybert, 1st Overall M, 17:57; Bethany Bowman, 1st Overall W, 20:14; Paul Pesanka, 2nd 30-39 M, 22:28; Jerry Kosar, 1st 60-69 M, 23:42; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd 40-49 W, 25:18; Tim Molnar, 2nd 40-49 M, 25:21; Gabbrielle Fulk, 1st 15-18 W, 26:46; Madison Fitzgerald 2nd 12-14 W, 26:46; Jeffrey Fitzgerald, 3rd 40-49, 27:32; Leanne Finney 3rd 40-49 W, 27:59; Talitha Fulk, 2nd 15-18 W, 28:23; Asher Pesanka, 3rd 8-9 M, 31:45; Lucas Pott, 1st 7 & Under M, 33:41; Janet Lochner, 3rd 50-59 W, 34:18; Chris Ostrowski, 3rd 19-24 M, 35:37; Sandra Ung, 1st 60-69 W, 35:39; Addie Klocko, 3rd 12-14 W, 35:55; Joni Clemente, 3rd 60-69 W, 39:22; Sam Slatcoff, 2nd 7 & Under M, 41:59; Matthew Scoletti, 24:55; Megan Kosar, 28:52; Wayne Toy, 30:21; Scott Karwoski, 32:21; Jeremy Pott, 33:48; Stephanie Karwoski, 33:55; Chris Lochner, 34:19; Sara Houk, 35:46; Douglas Klocko, 37:32; Danielle Sheran, 38:31; Jon Floss, 38:53; Kenneth McCrory, 39:49; Joe Taylor, 41:34; Carter Anderson, 41:54; Owen Anderson, 41:55; James Watenpool, 41:58; Nikki Slatcoff, 42:11; Sterling Fulk, 42:23; Noelle Fulk, 42:36; Finn Watenpool, 42:53; Julianna Watenpool, 42:53; James Reed, 43:02; Callan Pesanka, 46:55; Scott Ostrowski, 47:07; Lynn Ostrowski, 47:27; Sasha Pesanka, 47:30

UPMC Horizon 5k, July 25: Dan Jaskowak, 1st Overall M, 15:36; Daniel Spaulding, 5th Overall M, 16:22; Rosie Cooper, 1st Overall W, 20:00; Angie Jenny, 2nd Overall W, 20:22; Kim Hohman, 3rd Overall W, 21:00; Seth Jenny, 1st 30-39 M, 18:40; Alex Edmonds, 3rd 20-29 M, 19:06; John Armstrong, 1st 50-54 M, 20:38; Mark Courtney, 2nd 60-64 M, 20:43; Scott Meskel, 1st 30-34 M, 21:22; Leslie Kramer, 3rd 40-44 W, 22:45; David Suber, 3rd 60-64 M, 22:58; Jim Lakin, 2nd 65-69 M, 25:35; Debbie Courtney, 2nd 55-59 W, 28:26; Kayla Albert, 1st 25-29 W, 29:01; Lisa Jamison, 1st 45-49 W, 30:24; Valerie Sands, 2nd 70+ W, 37:30; Anthony Miller, 19:42; Evan Miller, 20:28; Tim Sloan, 21:39; Clark Schwarz, 21:49; Harold Domville, 23:04; Adam Luther, 23:20; Nathanael Nuss, 23:39; Mitchell McCleary, 24:32; Jamie Maxwell, 27:02; Hannah Hohman, 27:03; William Woods, 28:11; Tony Sunseri, 28:45; Jamie Knauff, 29:38; Rich Honsaker, 29:50; Dan Lorigan, 30:25; Robert Sands, 30:59; Stephanie McCreary, 31:03; Allen Matz, 31:40; Emily Matz, 31:41; Emily Peffer, 35:21; Michele Carson, 35:39; David Byers, 38:35; Regis Matz, 39:16; Katie Boatright, 40:54; Debbie Jamison, 41:28; Rob Schmieler, 41:31; Bridget Casteel, 46:52; Troy Cummings, 57:47

UPMC Horizon Half Mile Kids Run, July 25: Bryce Jenkins, 1st Overall M, 3:07; Miles Jenny, 2nd Overall M, 3:14; Kelley Enterline, 1st Overall W, 3:40; Calvin Jenny, 3:58; Patrick Meskel, 4:11; Miles Spaulding, 4:31; Ellie Spaulding, 5:06; Mollie Riggenbach, 5:35; Rayleigh Peffer, 6:04

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle