Road racers are a greedy group. We race everything from the mile to the marathon and all the distances in between. With so many races to choose from, it's hard not to.

While running all of the distances can be done, it usually can't be done well. There's a vast difference between training for the short blasts of the mile or 5K and the long slogs of the marathon. Runners choose the distance to focus on in a training period, then tailor the training to fit.

If you've been disappointed by your lack of racing success, it could be because you're trying to do too much at one time. But even though we are in the middle of the fall racing season, it's not too late to recognize and modify your training to fit your choice of races or to choose races to fit your training style.

All training shares some aspects in common: speed, endurance, stamina and recovery. And all racing includes training in these areas in some measure or form.

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Speed. We all want to run fast and even though pure speed is a gift, we can train to sprint faster. But while sprint speed is a necessity in the mile and 5K, it's of little use in the marathon.If your focus is on short distances, try to get to the track at least once a week to concentrate on form, power and leg turnover rate.Keep the interval distance short, from 50 to 200 meters. If you are new to sprints, jog to nearly full recovery before beginning the next one. Run as many as you can do with good form.For distances from half to full marathon, intervals from 400 to 800 meters or running hard up short hills are a good power boost. Run each fast part at slightly faster than 5K pace with jog to near full recovery in between. For faster leg turnover, add six to eight fast pickups to the end of your weekly long run.•

Endurance. All running requires endurance. You've got to be able to complete the distance before you can race the distance.For shorter events, runners should aim for 15 to 25 miles per week of easy running for beginning racers, 30 or more for advanced competitors. Mileage should include one longer run per week of between 5 and 12 miles.Endurance training becomes more prominent in training for distances from the half marathon to marathon and beyond. These racers may complete from 30 to 60 miles of running per week depending on levels of fitness and commitment. While half marathon racers typically complete long runs more than the race distance, marathoners build gradually to a long run close to race distance.•

Stamina. Stamina is the ability to run fast over a distance. That's what racing is all about.For 5K success, runners may train stamina with 800 meter or mile repeats or by running tempo runs, runs at a slightly faster pace than your daily easy runs for about 20 minutes.For long distance stamina, runners choose longer intervals of from one to three miles or tempo runs of 30 to 60 minutes or more. Running 5K races can also be good stamina training for long distance racing.•

Recovery. This is an important part of any training plan. That's when the training effect actually takes place. Remember to allow at least a day of active or complete rest in between each hard day of running.After a race, allow at least two days for each mile of race distance before attempting to race again. That means that while you can run a 5K each weekend, you've got to take at least a month before attempting another quality half marathon.

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Run your choice of pace and distance, coffee following. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: The Ultimate Road Test Run and Walk, Cadiz, Ohio. Walk begins at 8 run at 9. Rugged 14.7 miles out and back on rural road. 740-946-5631 or mickeys@eohio.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Run for the Red 5K Run, Walk and Kids Fun Run, New Castle. Benefits American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. 724-652-7724Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Lupus Loop 5K Walk-Run-Skate, North Shore, Pittsburgh. 412-261-5886 or www.lupus.orgSunday, 7:45 a.m.: Philadelphia Distance Run Half Marathon, Philadelphia. Historic, scenic and fast 30th anniversary. 1-800-311-1255 or www.runphilly.comSunday, 10 a.m.: Dennis J. Donnelly Memorial Hartwood Tour Run, Hartwood Acres. Choice of 6 miles, 3 miles, 1 mile. Part of Greater Pittsburgh Road Runner series. 412-373-4319Sunday, 6:30 p.m.: Run with Your Neighbors 5K, Grove City. Mostly grass course. 724-992-2372 or aray08@gmail.comWednesday, 6 p.m.: Running Wild Group Run, Hartwood Acres. Leave from Middle Road parking lot for easy 45 to 50 minutes on road and trail. 724-444-5311Sept. 22, 8:30 a.m.: Greene River Trail Heroes Run-Walk, Waynesburg. Memorial to local war heroes. 724-627-5541 or arinehart@alltel.netSept. 29, 7 a.m.: Akron Marathon and Half Marathon, Akron, Ohio. 877-375-2786 or www.akronmarathon.orgOct. 6, 9 a.m.: New Kensington YMCA 10K, New Kensington. 724-396-1853 or vkolakowski@vpfymca.orgOct. 6, 9 a.m.: His Kids 5K Run and Walk, Butler. Benefits His Kids Christian School. 724-352-0768 or Corace@gmail.comOct. 7, 8 a.m.: Steamtown Marathon, Scranton. One of the fastest marathons in the country. 800-22-WELCOME or www.steamtownmarathon.comOct. 7, 9 a.m.: Johnstown YMCA Marathon and 10K, Johnstown. 814-535-8381 or rggboy2000@yahoo.comOct. 13, 9 a.m.: HAEE 5K Run-Walk and 1-mile Stroll, Hartwood Acres. Noncompetitive event benefits education services in Hampton Township. 412-486-6000, ext. 1700 or info@haee5k.org

Race results

Roebling's Run 5K, Aug. 11: Ben Hutterer, 1st Overall M, 17:16; Artie Black, 2nd Overall M, 17:16; Cory Steinhagen, 3rd Overall M, 17:41; Kristen Prazenica, 1st Overall W, 22:00; Tina Gallo, 2nd Overall W, 22:51; Sarah Robb, 3rd Overall W, 22:54; Jerry Maher, 1st Masters M, 17:44; Dave Terrill, Sr., 1st Grand Masters M, 18:56; David Fugate, 2nd Masters M, 20:02; Dorothy Moxie, 1st Masters W, 24:05; Wendy Recio, 2nd Masters W, 24:27; Julia Murray, 2nd Masters W, 25:47; Owen Venesky, 1st 15-19 M, 17:57Jacob Montag, 2nd 15-19 M, 18:45; Sergei Dines, 3rd 15-19 M, 18:50; Brian Forester, 1st 35-39 M, 19:41; Alex Fertelmes, 2nd 25-29 M, 20:52; John Ciafre, 1st 55-59 M, 21:27; Matthew Getsay, 2nd 35-39 M, 21:44; Kevin McCaslin, 2nd 30-34 M, 22:26; Scott Taylor, 3rd 35-39 M, 22:53; Mark Pugh, 1st 50-54 M, 22:53; Ron Hartle, 2nd 50-54 M, 23:05; Nicole Khoury, 1st 35-39 W, 24:18; Carrie Smith, 1st 25-29 W, 24:59; David Howes, 3rd 25-29 M, 25:15; Kristina Bennett, 2nd 25-29 W, 25:47Ann Cheman, 1st 55-59 W, 25:55; Dana McCarren, 2nd 15-19 W, 26:01; Kayla Zboran, 1st 10-14 W, 26:03; Steffi Wesolosky, 2nd 10-14 W, 26:18; Frank Moxie, 2nd 45-49 M, 26:20; Beth Zboran, 1st 40-44 W, 26:28; Mary Bickley, 1st 50-54 W, 27:32; Micci Hutterer, 1st 45-49 W, 28:16; Kim Zappi, 2nd 40-44 W, 28:51; Frank Prazenica, 2nd 60+ M, 28:55; Margretta Lutz, 1st 60+ W, 31:49; Jackie Fennell, 3rd 40-44 W, 33:05; Robyn Stewart, 1st 20-24 W, 39:26; Buddy Turner, 2nd 55-59 M, 39:32; Jan Bennett, 2nd 50-54 W, 40:06; Cindy Geary, 2nd 45-49 W, 40:24Dillon Schwertz, 19:33; Paul Kletzli, 19:53; Mike Fugate, 19:59; Chris Setnar, 20:01; Van McCarren, 22:57; Ethan Hacker, 23:21; Steve Beck, 23:55; Joe Zboran, 26:07; Des Schnur, 26:31; Scott Neff, 26:56; Regina Robb, 27:23; Caitlin Miller, 27:49; Maureen McCafferty, 29:20; Mike Venesky, 30:23; Shawn McAnallen, 31:22; Ron Bennett, 31:31; Kristen Robb, 32:47; Jyri Gray, 35:20; Ben Heitzer, 39:12

Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5K, Aug. 11: Luke Snyder, 1sr Overall M, 17:26; Tristen Rankin, 1st Overall W, 18:39; Fred Weaver, 1st 30-34 M, 20:10; Bob Crawford, 1st 60 and over M, 22:04; Terry McCullough, 2nd 35-39 M, 22:14; Cameron Adams, 1st 16-19 M, 22:54; Dave King, 1st 55-59 M, 23:12; Eddy Simpson, 3rd 35-39 M, 23:44; Derek Carmichael, 3rd 20-24 M, 24:21; Charles Johnson, 2nd 50-54 M, 26:55; Tammy Landgraf, 2nd 30-34 W, 27:18; Bethany Adams, 3rd 15 and under W, 33:42; C. Greenawalt, 3rd 60 and over M, 34:52; Judy Greenawalt, 1st 60 and over W, 45:35; Rich Landgraf, 24:09

Ellwood City Run for Their Lives 5K, Aug. 25: Jake Walker, 1st Overall M, 15:14; Bethany Walker, 1st Overall W, 20:25; Bonnie Lathom, 2nd Overall W, 21:03; Stephanie Verdecchia, 3rd Overall W, 23:40; Mike Covert, 1st Masters M, 20:24; Kristen Kelosky, 1st Masters W, 24:06; Cindy Suber, 2nd Masters W, 28:01; Christopher Papp, 2nd 16-19 M, 19:18; David Suber, 2nd 50-54 M, 23:45; Mary Bickley, 1st 50-54 W, 29:15; Shane Cook, 29:09

Stoneboro Fair Mile, Aug. 29: Tom Welsh, 1st Overall M, 5:00; Josie Davis, 1st Overall W, 6:43; Mark Courtney, 1st Masters M, 5:22; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-49 M, 5:25; Clint Hatle, 3rd 20-29 M, 6:18; Ron Hartle, 3rd 50-59 M, 6:44; Erin Hartle, 1st 20-29 W, 8:30; Merle Hughes, 1st 60+ M, 9:25; Jon Moon, 7:05; Dana Hogue, 9:25Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa., 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.