There's hope in the air. Spring is just a snowstorm or two away. COVID vaccinations are on the horizon and now available for some of us. And more races are popping up on the calendar.

Runners weary of our normal western Pennsylvania weather and abnormal worldwide pandemic are ready to sign up for a summer event and to get back to training. But this is not the time to throw all caution to the spring breeze. Consider these cautions before jumping into the “new normal” racing season.

Safety first. We'd love to run and race freely again, but that's not reality yet. You wouldn't sign up for a marathon that doesn't ensure basic safety. In this new normal, safety includes more than traffic control and adequate water at aid stations.

This is still not the time to gather shoulder to shoulder in starting corrals, share open containers of food and drinks with strangers or congregate with large groups of unmasked people outside of your immediate family or pod.

Most races have a social media presence, website or online registration site detailing event parameters and safety protocols like participation limits, socially distanced starting areas and bottled water or BYOB aid stations. If you have particular questions, contact the race director.

Don't assume your chosen event is following state safety guidelines. If it isn't in writing, it isn't happening. Choose a different event or put yourself at risk.

What's the likelihood that the race will actually take place? It's tempting to jump on registration for a popular event that's sure to reach its participant maximum. But many of us were disappointed last year by events that didn't take place, were canceled at the last minute or deferred to a later date only to be canceled once more.

Choose an event farther along on the timeline when, hopefully, the COVID crisis will be behind us. Or seek out a smaller-scaled local event or two with fewer obstacles to success.

Instead of the endurance challenge of a marathon, this may be the year to work on that 5k personal best or run your fastest mile.

Does your chosen event offer a virtual option and is that acceptable to you? It's possible, depending on unforeseen circumstances, that your in-person event could go completely virtual. That's fine for your local 5k, but much harder to complete if it's a marathon. And some iconic races such as the Boston Marathon are impossible to experience virtually.

We all want to get back to something resembling normal, but after a long break from regular training, it will take some time to get in racing shape.

Don't jump into training too aggressively. Build mileage slowly, adding no more than 10% per week. In the middle of one of your weekly runs, increase speed slightly for a few minutes at a time.

Before beginning speedwork, build leg strength by intentionally running hard up hills on one of your weekly runs. Or add a set of ten-second hill sprints to the end of a run. Sprint up a short steep hill, focusing on good form. Walk back down. Begin with a set of four and work up to 12.

What we may miss the most about training and racing is the company of other runners. But until we are all safely out of this pandemic, practice social distancing within your running group.

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Olde Girdled Grit Trail Run, Concord Township, OH. Choice of 50k, Marathon or Half Marathon on park trails. runsignup.com/Race/Info/OH/ConcordTownship/OldeGirdledGritSunday, 4 p.m.: Big One Mile Race, New Castle. Flat and fast point-to-point course in Cascade Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/BIGONERUNSunday, 8 a.m.: 45th Annual Spring Thaw 10 Mile, Allison Park. Run around North Park Lake. Also Virtual 5, 10, 15 and 20 mile runs. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/TheSpringThawMarch 6, 9 a.m.: Shamrock Run 5k, Allison Park. Run starts at North Park Pool area. Also virtual option. www.shamrockruns.comMarch 13, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick's Distance Festival 10k and 5k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park's Rotary Pavilion. erierunners.club/event/st-patricks-distance-festival/March 13, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5k Run and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Leechburg. Costumed encouraged, leashed dogs welcome. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffle?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YMarch 13, 10 a.m.: Judith's Jig 5k Memorial Run/Walk, Meadville. 814-282-1069 or judithsjig@gmail.comMarch 13, 11 a.m.: Ellport Borough Community 5k, Ellport. Scenic 5k with food and drinks. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/ELLWOODCITY/ELLPORTBOROWINTERWONDERLAND5KMarch 20, 8 a.m.: Roger Snyder 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Kids Fun Run, Richfield. 570-850-1600. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Richfield/RogerSnyder5k10kHalfMarathonMarch 20, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5k and Relay, Apollo. Run inKunkle Park. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/KiskiAreaShamrockRun5K

Cupid's Chase Butler 5k, Feb. 13: Logan Lutz, 1st Overall M, 19:34; Melissa Good, 1st Overall W, 24:39; Tessa Szymanski, 2nd Overall W, 25:48; Jamie Shouse, 3rd Overall W, 27:01; Scott Choura, 1st 50-59 M, 22:29; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-59 M, 24:34; Travis Ritenour, 2nd 20-29 M, 25:19; Benjamin Dymond, 3rd 20-29 M, 27:23; Valerie Andreassi, 1st 50-59 W, 30:39; Alex Oakes, 1st 16-19 M, 31:26; Sean Harcar, 1st 30-39 M, 31:32; Susie Beardsley, 2nd 50-59 W, 31:54; Herb Cratty, 3rd 50-59 M, 32:09; Erin Kohlmeyer, 3rd 30-39 M, 32:15; Anthony Fleming, 1st 40-49 M, 32:18; Amanda Choura, 2nd 40-49 W, 34:23; Troy McKinney, 2nd 40-49 M, 34:28; Robin Holz, 3rd 40-49 W, 36:20; Rick Beardsley, 2nd 60-69 M, 41:05; Lindsey Morando, 32:18; Robert Kinney, 32:25; Kimberlee Dickey, 35:11; Ashley Paid, 36:58; Meagan Summerville, 39:10; Justin Kampian, 41:50; Margaret Kasunic, 45:50; Tim Sutton, 1:01:39Cupid's Chase Latrobe 5k, Feb. 11: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 17:43; Jay Jones, 2nd Overall M, 20:45; Ava Dzrenda, 1st Overall W, 21:09; S. Mark Courtney, 1st 60-69 M, 21:52; Robin Gully, 3rd 50-59 W, 33:36; Barb Palmer, 1st 60-69 W, 49:12; Brian Dzurenda, 26:44Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net<i>Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle</i>