I'm sure a lot of us have post-pandemic goals and aspirations, what we're going to do when we can safely do things again.

For me, the goal has been to visit my daughter and granddaughter on the Big Island of Hawaii after more than a year of restricted travel. I achieved that goal this month following vaccination, testing and documentation and a long-masked plane ride.

Along with all the hugs and kisses, my daughter and I looked forward to running together. This time, our runs were shorter and less spontaneous, planned around the schedule of an active one year-old. But we managed to steal away for some short escapes around her neighborhood outside of Waimea.

The town of Waimea sits in the northern part of the island at nearly 2,700 feet above sea level. It's cooler than the coast, sometimes pleasantly misty and most times breezy, if not blustery.

The town of 11,000 bustles with small town life and the added activity of tourism, making the town center a bit hectic and hazardous for runners. But venture a mile to the east and there are plenty of back roads leading through cattle, sheep and goat farms with views of sometimes snow covered 13,800-foot elevation Mauna Kea and the ocean 10 miles away.

For the adventurous, there's Mana Road which begins in town and becomes a 40-plus mile fire road around the base of Mauna Kea. The challenging and scenic route into the back country is popular with mountain bikers. If you go, be prepared for suddenly changing weather conditions along with stunning views of the ocean and old volcanic peaks.

For a run in town, I suggest a short and more civilized route in town. The soft-surfaced and shady Streamside Trail follows the meandering Waikoloa Stream within Waimea Nature Park for about 1.25 miles. It's not long, but it's a quiet respite from the wind and downtown congestion and less than a mile from Big Island Brewhaus, the perfect spot for a post-run refreshment.

In Hawaii, you're never far from the ocean. The Kawaihae Harbor, one of two container shipping harbors on the island, lies a short drive west of Waimea. It also includes Kawaihae Reef, a historic winter surfing spot, weekend local beach hangout and underwater natural paradise.

Before snorkeling among urchins, schools of brightly colored tropical fish and an occasional sea turtle or swimming with manta rays, I recommend a short run on a flat paved loop past the surf park, small marina and beach. For more variety, detour south to Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site. Be sure to stop to appreciate the culture that settled this island.

Continue another half mile by single-track trail to Spencer Beach Park. I like to take my shoes off for a short run along the shaded beach and a quick cooling outdoor rinse before heading back to Kawaihae.

For a longer and deeper adventure, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail runs for 175 miles from the northernmost point, along the western coast of the Big Island, to the rocky cliffs of South Point to an access to Volcanoes National Park on the Eastern side. On my trip I managed to run about seven miles of it, stringing together several beaches on the Northwest coast on the ancient ala loa (long trail) of the ancient peoples.

The Ala Kahakai Trail was established in 2000 “to reflect the values of a Hawaiian people who preserve and care for their land and their traditions.”

It includes ancient traditional paths that predate Western contact, historic trails and roads built in the 1800s and more recently constructed paths and roads linking the entire route together.

Take your time running on the Ala Kahakai. Although some portions are easily runnable, others are steep, winding and rocky. And you'll want to take plenty of time to stop, check out the scenery and snap a few photo memories.

For more information about Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, visit www.nps.gov/alka/index.htm, www.facebook.com/AlaKahakaiNHT/ or call 808-326-6012, ext. 101

Saturday, 9 a.m.: On the Dam Que Trail Relay, Hooversville. Scenic 34-milerun around Quemahoning Reservoir individually or as a relay for teams of 2 to 4 runners. 814-244-2270 or stephdaniels72@gmail.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: Indiana Donut Dash 5k, Indiana. Starts behind Miller Stadium at IUP Campus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/DonutDash2018?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YSaturday, 10 a.m.: MKG Half Marathon (MCTA Marathon Series Race 3), Sandy Lake. Run on paved bike trail around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net. Register online at www.mctrails.org/eventsMay 1, 7:30 a.m.: #ImpactRun 5k, Grove City. Held at Grove City Prime Outlets. 724-923-3022 or register online at https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=135417May 1, 8:30 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Starts at McDanel's Boat Launch, Pavilion #7 in Moraine State Park. Also virtual options. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5KMay 1, 10 a.m.: Warrior Battalion 5k Run/Walk and Ruck, Indiana. Out and back on Hoodlebug Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/Warrior5kMay 2, 7 a.m.: Latonka Marathon, Mercer. Run at Lake Latonka limited to 100 runners. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com. Online registration opens March 17 secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=135356May 2, 8 a.m.: Ghost Creek Half Marathon, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Trail through scenic Blacklick Creek Valley. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BlackLick/GhostCreekHalfMarathonMay 2: Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay. This is a virtual event this year. www.thepittsburghmarathon.comMay 12, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamestown. Scenic run at Pymatuning State Park. Also virtual option. Heather.harmon@jasdmuskies.com or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Jamestown/Muskie5kand2MileWalkMay 15, 8:30 a.m.: Rails to Trails 5k Run/Walk/K9 Walk and Tunnel Fun Run, Barnesville, OH. Free kids run, hand-craftes trophies, door prizes, lots of food. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleRailsToTrails5kMay 15, 8 a.m.: Diamond Dash 10k & 6k Runs and 5k Walk, Hollidaysburg. 814-695-4467 or contactus@blairregionalymca.orgMay 15 & 16: “Great Allegheny” Ohiopyle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Ohiopyle. Run on scenic Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail. Also virtual option. Run 10k or 5k on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Half Marathon on Sunday starting at 7:30 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ohiopyle/GreatAlleghenyOhiopyleHalfMarathon10kand5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YMay 15, 9 a.m.: 519Strong Off Road 5k, Grove City. Run through wooded Grove City Memorial Park. 814-758-3217 or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/519Strong5KMay 16, 8 a.m.: Cleveland East Side Half Marathon, Fairport Harbor, OH. Flat course along Lake Erie. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/OH/FairportHarbor/ClevelandEastHalfMarathonMay 21, 7 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. rfrailey@windstream.net or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalkMay 22, 8 a.m.: Old Turnpike Half Marathon, Waterfall. Run on abandoned PA Turnpike through Sideling Hill and Rays Hill tunnels. wolfcreektrackclub.com/old-turnpike-half-marathon/May 22, 10 a.m.: Phenomenal Hope 5k, Pittsburgh. Run at Riverfront Park on Northshore. Also 1 Mile and Half Mile Kids' Runs and virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/phenomenalhope5kJune 19, 9 a.m.: 46th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k Run/Walk, Butler. Early bird discount registration now until April 17. https://bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-RaceOct. 16, 9 a.m.: 16th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Sign up is open for a limited number of participants. This popular event will sell out. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

March Mad Dash 10 Mile, March 27: Jacob Montgomery, 1st Overall M, 53:52; Caitlyn Rushlander, 1st Overall W, 1:05:21; Micci Hutterer, 1st 60+ W, 1:24:27; Michelle Ellery, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:24:48; Donald Splitstone, 1:14:34; James Caruso, 1:20:09; John Armstrong, 1:22:51; Rebecca Baker, 1:28:54; Erin Kohlmeyer, 1:34:14; Michael Labos, 1:37:10;March Mad Dash 5 Mile, March 27: Eli Anish, 1st Overall M, 25:57; Jeanine McGuire, 1st Overall W, 33:28; Jeff Smith, 2nd 50-59 M, 39:10; Catherine Hrach, 1st 50-59 W, 39:57; Heidi Wiegand, 2nd 40-49 W, 40:13; Bret Larson, 3rd 40-49 M, 41:43; Kelly Sterniak, 38:46; Joe Sterniak, 38:46; Greg Shumaker, 44:57; Nick Barker, 45:02; Jessica Irwin, 47:19; Dawn Wells Mcclain, 49:44; Christine Lenz, 49:50; Tasha Werner, 52:24; Christine Black, 57:10; Beth Ann Skinner, 1:00:33; Jaime Foose, 1:03:35March Mad Dash 5k, March 27: Mark Magee, 1st Overall M, 17:28; Courtney Sargent, 1st Overall W, 19:06; Nathan Waldenville, 1st 30-39 M, 22:57; Matt Cosnek, 3rd 30-39 M, 28:56; Dawn Brennan, 3rd 40-49 W, 34:48; Scott Hodge, 3rd 50-59 M, 37:06; Thomas Barnhart, 29:12; Lenny Brennan, 34:48; Darren Casher, 37:47; Lisa Collins, 42:03Trout Island Tromp, March 27: Matthew McClellan, 1st Overall M, 27:05; Pamela Wassell, 1st Overall W, 32:28; Hannah Gildersleeve, 2nd Overall W, 34:30; Mitch Radella, 3rd 50+ M, 35:31; Traci Hanna, 2nd 40-49 W, 38:23; Bo McCleary, 3rd 30-39 M, 39:39; Tony Sunseri, 47:18; Heidi Struble, 48:57; Lisa Jamison, 49:58; Julia Ferringer, 55:23; Connie Burkhardt, 56:18; Debbie Jamison, 1:02:13Spring Break 8.5, April 3: Jason McDowell, 1st Overall M, 56:45; Pamela Wassell, 1st Overall W, 1:05:02; Ashley Henshaw, 2nd Overall W, 1:07:52; Melissa Good, 3rd Overall W, 1:08:00; Mitch Radella, 3rd 50-59 M, 1:11:03; Hannah Gildersleeve, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:11:22; Traci Hanna, 1st 40-49 W, 1:14:38; Bo McCleary, 2nd 30-39 M, 1:17:17; Julie Ferringer, 1:26:16; Tony Sunseri, 1:33:23; Lisa Jamison, 1:38:47; Connie Burkhardt, 2:04:45Run Across Guatemala 5k, April 10: Thomas Stuart, 1st Overall M, 17:10; Margant Powers, 1st Overall W, 20:58; Joshua Zaniewski, 3rd 30-39 M, 19:55; Ron Romanoff, 1st 60+ M, 22:01; Lauren Jochims, 1st 19 & Under W, 23:22; John Krup, 3rd 50-59 M, 26:52; Ava Jochims, 2nd 19 & Under W, 27:28; Rachel Roos, 2nd 20-29 W, 29:19; ClaireMolinaro, 1st 60+ W, 33:34; Giuseppe Mascari, Jr., 3rd 60+ M, 34:42; Matt Csocca, 29:23; Robert Whittington, 30:27Run Across Guatemala 1 Mile Walk, April 10: Joann Kubit, 1st Overall W, 21:07; Robert Cararie, 1st Overall M, 28:39; Samantha Eaton, 25:19; Gretchen Cararie, 28:38Dirty Kiln Half Marathon, April 10: AJ Kelly, 1st Overall M, 1:43:49; Anna Balouris, 1st Overall W, 1:53:49; Matt Sudak, 2:08:41; Thomas Patterson, 2:44:43; Michael Barbato, 2:47:40; Jinny Hertweck, 2:49:24; Christine Traynor, 2:59:09; Lori Fromlak, 3:05:23; Mick Quen, 3:22:22; Laurel Ellenberger, 3:32:09; Olivia Gilliland, 3:41:27; Sue Johnson, 3:57:04; Diane Flick, 4:00:07Dirty Kiln 10k, April 10: Jimmy Tucker, 1st Overall M, 45:44; Britttany Gentry, 1st Overall W, 51:29; Brett Stewart, 1:11:01; Gwendolyn Sudak, 1:11:37; Preston Musser, 1:11:38Send 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>