Summer running is easy. You put on shoes and just enough clothing for decency.

Fall running is a little more problematic. As the temperatures dip, it's sometimes hard to know what to wear.

A friend who is a relatively new runner met me last week for a lunchtime run. She seemed surprised when I showed up for the cool but sunny six miles in a T-shirt and shorts. I was just as surprised to see her long pants, long-sleeved shirt, jacket and hat.

I talked my running partner into leaving her jacket behind, but she was still skeptical of my scant clothing.

"Are you sure you'll be warm enough?" she asked. "You can wear my jacket if you want."

I just smiled. A half-mile down the road and I was pleasantly warm. My friend, on the other hand, sweated in her long-sleeved shirt and long pants.

The rule of thumb for dressing in any season is that if you are comfortable as soon as you walk out the door, you're probably overdressed. Once you get moving, you'll generate plenty of heat.

It's hard enough for some of us to head outside to run in dwindling light and cooler temperatures. If you need that immediate comfort for motivation, you can slip your running clothes in the dryer for a few minutes. That way you're preheated until body heat takes over to keep you toasty.

The best way to judge what to wear in the fall is to look at the thermometer. If it's above 50 degrees, you'll feel comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts. Trust me.

If it's breezy or it's an evening run, when temperatures are likely to fall before you are done, long sleeves are a good choice. You can regulate comfort by pulling your sleeves up or down or over your hands, if necessary.

Between 45 and 50 degrees, wear that long-sleeved shirt but add a hat and gloves. You don't, as most of us have been told, lose most of your body heat through your head.

But because your head makes up a good portion of your total skin area, you can lose up to 10 percent of your body heat from a bare head.

Bare hands are a different story. As your body chills, it shuts down capillaries in the extremities to pull blood toward the internal organs. And you've got air moving quickly across exposed skin. That leaves fingers cold.

As the temperature falls toward that 40-degree mark, it's time to cover more skin. Add lightweight tights to ward off the chill.

If wearing spandex makes you think of an '80s rock band, go for one of the looser fitting running pants. For this time of year, Capri-length tights or pants are a stylish option.

Below 40 degrees, it's time to add more layers. A lightweight jacket or pullover shell is a good choice to break the wind.

One of the keys to feeling comfortable in fall weather is sweat management. If you sweat too much, you might feel chilly in wet clothes. Dress in light layers and leave those fleece hoodies and bulky sweatpants packed away for a few more weeks.

Running is a year-round sport. With a little planning and a nod to the weather report, fall can be one of the most comfortable, and scenic, running seasons.

Upcoming events

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: YMCA Octoberfest Half Marathon and Races, Hollidaysburg. Half marathon, 5K and 2-mile runs. 814-695-4467 or tkunstbeck@hollidaysburgareaymca.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K, Churchill Boro. Also Paws for Pace 1-Mile Dog Walk. 412-244-1900 or www.paceschool.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Kiski Cougar Classic 5K, Saltsburg. 724-639-3586 or Douglas.yoder@kiski.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County 5K Run-Walk, New Castle. 724-758-8662 or www.crisisshelter.org

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Run-Walk for Better Health 5K, Belle Vernon. 724-929-4250

Sunday, 10 a.m.: GPRRC Fall Classic, Hartwood Acres. Choice of 10K, 5K or 2-mile events, part of Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Series. 412-276-1800 or rhannan@amiscu.com

October 18, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Start training now for this fast downhill run to Freeport. 724-898-2525 or register online at www.active.com

Oct. 18, 3 p.m.: Monster Stomp 5k Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. 1-800-544-5250 or www.monsterstomp.com

Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m.: Harvest Moon 10-Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk, Moon Township. www.signmeup.com/62126

Oct. 25, 10 a.m.: Ghostly Gray Cross Country 5K Walk, Run and Mountain Bike Excursion, Butler. 724-284-1134, Ext. 250

Oct. 25, 4 p.m.: Haunted Hustle 5K, North Park. Also 1-mile walk, benefits MS Society. 724-444-5311 or info@runningwildpa.com

Nov. 1, 10 A.M.: Butler Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Butler. 724-287-4733 or jknauff@bcfymca.org

Race results

Bradford Woods 5K, Sept. 6: Cameron Baker, 1st Overall M, 17:38; Z, 2nd Overall M, 18:16; Heather Melzer, 1st Overall W, 19:06; Cindy Grimm, 2nd Overall W, 22:13; Matt Marshall, 1st 35-39 M, 19:15; Scott Slaney, 2nd 10-14 M, 19:24; Christopher Bise, 2nd 35-39 M, 19:58; Curt Grimm, 1st 55-59 M, 20:48; Josh Boudreau, 3rd 40-44 M, 22:09; Brian Fill, 3rd 30-34 M, 22:58; Deborah Kirk, 2nd 40-44 W, 22:59; Sean Farrell, 1st 9 and Under M, 23:06; Aaron Hall, 3rd 25-29 M, 24:00; Caitlin Farrell, 1st 10-14 W, 24:00; Gloria Kristina, 1st 30-34 W, 27:42; Tia Lammers, 1st 9 and Under W, 29:49; Jordan Ennis, 2nd 9 and Under W, 29:50; Roger Murray, 21:37; Mark Spontak, 22:27; John Pristas, 23:33; James Bolze, 26:49; Deanne Knizner, 27:39; Collin McClure, 28:49; Randy McClure, 28:50; Erin Donaldson, 30:31

Erie Marathon, Sept. 14: Andrew Holland, 1st Overall M, 1:41:56; Andrea McGehee, 1st Overall W, 3:15:17; Kiyoshi Hayakawa, 3:27:37; Michael Kenniston, 3:48:45; Mitch Radella, 4:12:32; Mary Jo Sanks, 4:31:36; Todd Trofimuk, 4:35:27; Meghan Johnson, 4:43:17; Stephen Cooper, 4:50:13; Patty Connors, 4:53:34; Sarah Harris, 4:55:03; Lisa Brieza, 4:56:22; Robert Clark, 5:12:01; Evan Young, 5:14:41; Bryana Slater, 5:37:03; Rachel Boyle, 6:06:25; Daniel Borchert, 6:12:35

Erie Half Marathon, Sept. 14: Scott Stevens, 1st Overall M, 1:16:22; Katie Simon, 1st Overall W, 1:27:46; Mark Courtney, 1st 50-54 M, 1:36:14; Christopher Bloch, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:44:19; Stacy Juchno, 3rd 30-34 W, 1:54:26; Audra O'Rourke, 2nd 19 and Under W, 1:56:19; John Millea, 1:39:13; Wesley Bell, 1:41:02; Kris Poloyac, 1:49:23; Bill Swanik, 1:51:15; Jeff Leya, 1:51:50; Rachel Lunn, 1:57:24; Taylor Swiedom, 1:58:40; Dana Lagamba-Clark, 2:00:09; Lynn Royab, 2:02:34; Matthew Gordon, 2:03:55; Lisa Mayer, 2:13:26; William Hazlett, 2:15:42; Brian Hays, 2:15:44; Bonnie Miller, 2:17:03; Lisa Haines, 2:17:48; Rebecca Swartzentruber, 2:22:21; David Mayer, 2:22:17; Anne Hays, 2:26:19; Wendy Shaw, 2:26:18; Ken Miller, 2:29:04; Laura Palazzo, 2:30:39; Frank Bialobok, 2:38:03; Nathan Steele, 2:39:16

Grace Brethren Brain Freeze 5k, Sept. 20: Cory Steinhagen, 1st Overall M, 17:05; Brian Forester, 2nd Overall M, 18:36; Alishia Lacerda, 1st Overall W, 20:52; Laura Seyler, 2nd Overall W, 21:40; Megan Kidder, 3rd Overall W, 23:45; Smoke McCullough, 1st 50-54 M, 19:26; Fred Weaver, 1st 30-34 M, 20:54; John Kidder, 1st 45-49 M, 21:52; Alecia Kidder, 1st 16-19 W, 24:09; Ed Gondolf, 1st 60-64 M, 26:59; Frank Prazenica, 2nd 60-64 M, 27:19; Amanda Cagno, 1st 25-29 W, 28:04; Brandon Petras, 3rd 11-14 M, 28:53; Rebecca Stolitza, 1st 11-14 W, 36:47; Kyle Hilliard, 23:52; Mike Holscher, 36:15; Josh Petras, 36:40

Brain Freeze Kids Run, Sept. 20: Hunter Wolfe; Kayly Lazeroff; Mandy McElheny; Tyler Fries; Wyatt McElheny; Quinton Weaver; Caleb Holscher; Cameron Weaver; Erica Petras; Mikayla Zablocki; McKenzie Holscher; Logan Callen; Nathan Wilson; Aubra Harvey; Mackayla Males; Jonetta Callen; Cole Fiscus; Scott Cratty; Dozick ZablockiSend comments and suggestions to 435 Cherry Valley Road Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.