I've got a telltale stiffness, achy knees and I look a little worn and weary. I just don't have the spring in my step anymore.

I think it's time to retire as a runner.

A check of my born-on date, March 1, 2007, confirms it. Today is my last day as a running shoe.

It's hard to believe my days as a running shoe are over, but, even at conservative estimates, I've logged well over 500 miles. Still, I have to ask myself, "Where did the miles go?" It seems only yesterday that I was brand new, a flashy 2110 in silver and lime green.

I remember my first runs in the spring — short runs at first, then longer as I adapted to the mileage. The air was chilly and I'd hop over puddles to keep from getting wet.

But after a few slushy days, I got to like the idea of hitting the road in all kinds of weather. I splashed through anything and didn't worry about my looks. After all, it's performance in a running shoe that counts.

I had an important job as a new shoe: support the foot and cushion the ride for a comeback from injury. After those few weeks of light duty, I went to work as an everyday training shoe, logging mile after easy mile.

All in all, I've had a good life, though not without a few disappointments. I've never run a road race — that's for the sleeker, lighter models. And I had planned to train for a marathon, but the time just wasn't right.

But I've had plenty of long runs on sunny summer days. My favorites were those soft straight miles on the Butler-Freeport Trail and those 15-milers on the winding back roads in the neighborhood, going nowhere in particular to the accompaniment of Tom Petty or Shakira on the MP3.

I've gone farther in my lifetime than most running shoes. First, there was that interminable circling on the hard deck of a cruise ship, then the adventure runs past totem poles in Ketchikan and caribou in Denali.

I didn't know it at the time, but my trip to the Outer Banks a few weeks ago would be my last vacation as a training shoe. The sand and salt of the Hatteras beach irritated my mesh, but after a good bath inside and out, I felt clean and fresh.

But that's when I noticed the achy knees and I knew my days of steady training were numbered. I've still got a tough outside skin and my seams are intact, but there's a deep down weariness in my heart.

After all the miles and the pounding, I don't spring back and recover like I used to.

I haven't given up running altogether, just the daily hard training. I'm looking forward to playground duty at the elementary school and walks with the dogs. I plan to keep moving until my seams bust and my soles come unglued.

I've bequeathed my Road ID to a new shoe named Axiom. It's a stylish model and state of the art, as I was in my day. I'd like to tell young Axiom about proper warm-ups and how to perform on a long run, but the learning is part of the fun.

Instead, my only advice to all new running shoes is to keep your laces tight and don't look back — and cherish every one of those miles.

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Charleston Distance Run 15-Miler, Charleston, W.Va. www.charlestondistancerun.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSunday, 9:30 a.m.: Gatorade-Steelers 5K Race. Fitness Walk and Kids Kickoff Run, Pittsburgh. Flat course, great prizes. 412-697-7713 or www.steelers.comMonday, 8:30 a.m.: Home Run 5K, Greensburg. 724-836-4822 or earthisone@yahoo.comMonday, 9 a.m.: Labor Day 5K Classic, Washington. Point to point fast course. 724-222-0750 or labordayrace@yahoo.comMonday, 9 a.m.: F.H. Buhl Club Day 5K on Labor Day, Sharon. 724-981-3700 or www.fhbuhlclub.orgMonday, 9 a.m.: ASP Labor Day 10K and 5K Races, New Brighton. 724-495-9417 or www.nbarc.netMonday, 9 a.m.: ECPCE Heart and Sole Run 5K, Ellwood City. Starts at Ewing Park, also 2-mile walk and toddler trot. 724-752-1591, ext. 3353Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Running Wild Group Run, Hartwood Acres. 724-444-5311Sept. 8, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5-Mile Run, St. Marys. 814-781-1249 or jlecker_espi@alltel.netSept. 9, 9 a.m.: Festival in the Woods 5K, Bradford Woods. 412-874-9917Sept. 9, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Erie. Also noncompetitive 5K. 814-898-4472 or www.eriemarathon.orgSept. 15, 9 a.m.: Johnsonburg Paper Chase 5K, Johnsonburg. 814-965-2272

<B>Raider Maze 5K Run-Walk, July 28:</B> Cameron Stauffer, 1st Overall M, 14:59; Matt Wehrle, 2nd Overall M, 16:18; Jake Montag, 3rd Overall M, 16:22; Bonnie Lathom, 1st Overall W, 17:34; Joelle Scarnati, 3rd Overall W, 22:35; Brent Collins, 2nd 40-49 M, 17:08; Chris Matessa, 1st 13-15 M, 17:33; Andrew Razanauskas, 2nd 13-15 M, 17:33; Brent Kendrick, 3rd 13-15 M, 17:46; Stephen Mick, 1st 20-29 M, 17:51; Roger Murray, 3rd 40-49 M, 19:12; Chuck Flach, 2nd 30-39 M, 22:51; Erin Lopresti, 1st 13-15 W, 22:59; Karen Lyle, 1st 30-39 W, 22:59; Richard Buechele, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:10; Rick Colonello, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:27; Yolien Peeters, 1st 16-19 W, 24:08; Neal Lineman, 1st 70 and over M, 24:13; Kristen Kelosky, 2nd 40-49 W, 24:19Roxanne Pugliese, 3rd 13-15 W, 24:53; Ann Cheman, 1st 50-59 W, 25:56; Pam Kristoff, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:14; Seth Shiever, 3rd 12 and under M, 26:17; Sara Flach, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:24; Mary Bickley, 2nd 50-59 W, 26:56; Maura Razanauskas, 1st 12 and under W, 27:53; Alecia Flood, 3rd 30-39 W, 28:08; Dan Miller, 2nd 60-69 M, 28:11; Sarah Johanknecht, 2nd 12 & Under W, 30:53; Laura Byko, 3rd 12 and under W, 32:31Michael Sibenac, 22:34; Daniel Dickey, 22:34; Cody Beahm, 22:34; Michael Buechele, 22:34; Chris Cipro, 22:34; Adam Boyko, 23:27; Frank Bame, 23:52; Joshua Keir, 24:04; Matt Kuli, 24:06; Nick Panos, 24:21; Isaac Smith, 24:22; Grant Evans, 24:23; John F. Buckley, 24:35; Gale Mussey, 24:42; Len Yensull, 24:44; Joel Smith, 25:06; Michael DiCianna, 25:06; Kristen McKinney, 25:17; Megan Peaco, 25:17; Elizabeth Buechele, 25:26; Phil Lope, 26:03; Trey Razanauskas, 26:17Charlie Flach, 27:03; Jeff Byko, 27:29; Adam Johanknecht, 27:43; Denny Lemmo, 27:45; Carl Benjamin, 27:51; Jo Ann Mick, 27:53; Stevie A. Mick, 27:53; Beverly Heasley, 28:41; Andrew Hodgson, 29:23; Kurt Johanknecht, 30:54; Carolyn Cafaro, 33:29; Julianne Cafaro, 33:29; Jenny Faull, 34:28; Sadie Schiever, 37:04; Daniel Hodgson, 37:26; Jim Hodgson, 37:27; Judy Lyle, 38:04; Danette Yurich, 44:48; Wendy Johnson, 44:48; Joyce Beahm, 46:12; Colette Kuli, 46:14<B>Raider Maze 1-Mile Fun Run, July 28:</B> Andrew Mascio, 7:22; Scott McKinney, 8:49; Hannah Kendrick, 8:54; Michael Mott, 9:00; Emily Keir, 9:19; Stephanie Baron, 9:30; Annette Schiever, 11:02; Weston Schiever, 11:11; Tyler Flood, 11:37; Morgan Peaco, 11:45<B>Rube's Run 5K, July 28: </B>Chris Geddis, 1st Overall M, 16:06; Ben Hutterer, 2nd Overall M, 17:35; Bennett Porter, 3rd Overall M, 17:47; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 19:20; Laura Hoover, 2nd Overall W, 22:18; Michelle Ellery, 3rd Overall W, 22:40; Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st Masters M, 17:56; Wendy Recio, 1st Masters W, 24:50; Mike Fugate, 1st 15-19 M, 18:01; Tim Monfre, 1st 45-49 M, 18:17Eric Kelly, 1st 35-39 M, 18:44; David Terrill, 1st 50-54 M, 18:59; David Dunmyre, 2nd 45-49 M, 19:05; Owen Venesky, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:17; Dillen Schwertz, 3rd 15-19 M, 19:32; Matt Marshall, 2nd 35-39 M, 19:44; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-44 M, 19:53; Russ Ochsenhirt, 2nd 30-34 M, 20:22; Jim Gallagher, 2nd 40-44 M, 20:26; David Fugate, 3rd 45-49 M, 20:31; Jeffrey Platt, 1st 25-29 M, 21:03; Andrew Taylor, 3rd 30-34 M, 22:58; Allison Plummer, 1st 15-19 W, 23:19; Buddy Turner, 1st 55-59 M, 23:45; Tom Gorka, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:45; Aaron Hall, 3rd 25-29 M, 24:10; Calley Bridges, 3rd 15-19 W, 24:39; Gretchen Geibel, 1st 14 and under W, 24:43; Tom Sosko, 20:51; Jeromee Geibel, 1st 14 and under M, 24:55Lori Thomas, 1st 35-39 W, 25:04; T.J. Hambley, 3rd 40-44 M, 25:18; Carrie Smith, 1st 25-29 W, 25:32; Linda Ealy, 1st 45-49 W, 25:51; Alan Banet, 3rd 35-39 M, 26:12; Nelson Noto, 1st 65 and over M, 26:29; Debbie Fugate, 1st 40-44 W, 26:33; Holly Depew, 3rd 35-39 W, 27:33; Kathy Shoaf, 1st 60-64 W, 27:45; Heidi Christy, 3rd 30-34 W, 28:08; Pam Eckert, 2nd 40-44 W, 28:13; Cindy Suber, 2nd 45-49 W, 28:50; Linda Moss, 3rd 40-44 W, 28:52; Linda Surgenor, 2nd 60-64 W, 29:51; Donald Loughry, 1st 60-64 M, 29:55Brianna Browning, 2nd 14 and under W, 32:11; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 45-49 W, 33:41; Pete Bryan, 2nd 50-64 M, 36:16; Alexis Zmijowski, 3rd 14 and under W, 41:52; Marcia Ligas, 1st 65-69 W, 45:02; Sondra Grossman, 2nd 65 and over W, 52:26Thomas Sabo, 23:03; Kevin McCaslin, 23:22; Jim Osborne, 23:42; David M. Suber, 24:13; Carl Hill, 24:15; Rob Taylor, 25:20; Alan Cubbage, 25:47; Nicole Harmon, 25:56; Kayce Grimm, 25:58; Tom Altman, 27:12; Joel Geibel, 28:02; Lea Roth, 28:18; Chris Cooper, 28:57; Doug Raisley, 29:06; Andrew Dorsch, 30:05; Matthew Callahan, 30:34; Van Plummer, 30:55; Joran Meals, 31:26; Dana Hogue, 32:17; Susie Geibel, 32:52; Kristi Kerr, 36:08; Al Lane, 37:58; Jessica Dawson, 37:59; Darlene Callihan, 42:04; Bill Kerr, 42:06; Angela Hall, 42:47; Kaitlin Zmijowski, 43:57; Caitlyn Crusan, 43:58; Marissa Dawson, 44:34; Robert Meals, 52:14<B>Rube's Run Kids Run, July 28:</B> Riley Gallagher, 2:26; Nathan Hambley, 2:29; Ethan DePew, 2:33; Jimmy Gallagher, 2:35; Troy Loughry, 2:36; Alex Clippinger, 2:37; Justin Cicra, 2:45; Alexis Zmijowski, 2:48; Ethan Shutak, 2:56; Timmy Cichra, 2:59; Nicholas Clippinger, 3:19; Patrick Grunder, 3:22; Jennifer Cichra, 4:58; Jonathan Clippinger, 6:09; Jude Modrick, 6:31; Joshua Shelatree, 8:45; Liam Gallagher, 9:34Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.