Despite what the calendar says, fall doesn’t arrive all at once. It fades in and out. You need a jacket more often and shorts less. You sit inside instead of on the porch in the evening. It’s a transition.

There’s a transition from summer to fall running as well. Although we still have plenty of days to run in singlets and shorts, there are those days that long sleeves are more comfortable. And while there are still plenty of choices of running events each weekend, the calendar is thinning.

Most runners I know run year round. They’ve learned to appreciate the seasons and what each one brings. But each season brings it’s own challenges, too. Here are a few suggestions on how to make the transition from summer to fall more comfortable and safer.

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Warm to cold. All summer we dash out the door like kids heading to the playground. But as temperatures cool, it takes a little longer to warm up joints and muscles.Ease into your run by walking for a few minutes, then jogging until you begin to sweat. Stop and stretch dynamically before launching into a full speed run.•

Dry to wet. A summer rain during a long run feels refreshing. In fall, rain can be bone-chilling. Check the local weather map prior to your run. If there’s a chance of showers, tie a waterproof jacket around your waist and slip a billed cap in your waistband just in case.If you’d rather not run encumbered by extra clothing, put a folded garbage bag in a small waist pack or pin one to your shorts. It’s not stylish, but it will offer shelter from the elements if you find yourself caught in a cold shower.•

Light to dark. As days grow shorter, your after- work run will get darker. Prepare for evening running by transitioning to brighter colors, eventually adding a reflective vest, hat or tights.Evening is my favorite time of day to run. I love heading toward the sunset and watching my long-legged shadow stride out ahead of me on the return trip.But if I have to squint to see the road ahead, so do drivers. Be especially careful of traffic around bends and over sudden rises where drivers may be temporarily blinded by the sun.•

Clear to covered. Trail running in the fall is a special experience — crisp air, sun filtering through the trees, leaves fluttering down and crunching underfoot. But fall is not a time to relax on the trail. Layers of leaves hide roots and ruts, increasing the risk of injury from slips, falls, twists and turns. And that dappled sunlight sometimes makes it hard to focus on the path or overhanging branches.It’s especially important in this fall season to pay attention to your running, not just zone out in autumn’s beauty. Scan the trail between five and ten feet ahead of you to anticipate rocks, roots and ruts and plan your steps.Slow down to maintain control. Land lightly on the balls of your feet and be ready to shift your weight if you happen to land awkwardly on something hidden in the leaves. Fall is a good time to transition to trail shoes with a slightly stiffer base and beefier tread. And water resistance is a nice feature for shuffling through wet leaves.•

Racing to rest. Many runners take advantage of the wealth of races in summer and fall to get in peak condition and test themselves against the clock, the course or themselves. But there comes a time in every runner’s training season when peak is in the past.If you find yourself extra sore, extra fatigued or extra slow following a normal race or training effort, or if your race times are getting slower despite a high level of training, you may be past this season’s peak.Take a few days off for minor fatigue or a few weeks off to recover from a peak half marathon to marathon effort. Use this time to enjoy the season without the pressure to perform. Crosstrain, hike or bike. Shop for new fall running clothes. After your rest time, ease back into running, then training. You’ll be ready to scale the next peak and transition to the next season.Upcoming eventsFriday, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5K, Elderton. 724-354-3779 or rfrailey@windstream.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Applefest Race a Race for Any Pace, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or www.franklinymca.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice 5K, North Park. 724-352-1571, ext. 8363 or jmcintire@concordialm.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Janine Kijowski Race for a Cure 5K, Ford City. 724-545-1596 or boltzshelter@yahoo.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County 5K Run-Walk, New Castle. Run at Pearson Park. 724-758-8662 or www.crisisshelter.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shuffle Half Marathon and 5K, Punxsutawney. amytaladay@gmail.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: 1st Annual Phoenix 5K Lupus Loop, Hermitage. 724-342-7873 or e.mshare@phoenixtechnologyinc.netSaturday, 10:30 a.m.: Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center Fall Foliage 5K, Ford City. elcaet@windstream.netSunday, 9:30 a.m.: St. Kilian Parish Celtic Way 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk, Cranberry Township. Run at North Boundary Park. 724-494-0880 or caburns@zoominternet.netOct. 15, 9 a.m.: Butler Lions Club Scoot and Toot 5K, Butler. Held in Alemeda Park in collaboration with Blind Association Chili Festival. 724-287-4059 or jbindernagel@theblindassociation.orgOct. 15, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Downhill point-to-point course. Register now — this event will sell out. www.buffalocreekhalfmarathon.comOct. 15, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace Run/ Walk and Paws for Pace Dog Walk, Churchill Boro. 5K for humans, one mile dog walk. 412-244-1900 or mcaito@paceschool.orgOct. 15, 3 p.m.: MS Monster Stomp 5K Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. Great post race party. 724-658-8583 or www.msmonsterstomp.comOct. 22, 8:30 a.m.: Harvest Moon Run, Moon Township. Choice of ten miles or 5K. 412-490-0881 or www.harvestmoonrun.comOct. 22, 9 a.m.: Golden Tornado Art on the Run 5K and Children’s 1K Fun Run, Butler. Starts at Butler High School. Allair.devanney@gmail.comOct. 22, 9 a.m.: Spartan Get Fit 5K, Portersville. Run at Moraine State Park. 724-730-3415 or rlpete@comcast.netOct. 22, 9 a.m.: Spartans Get Fit 5K, Portersville. Run at Moraine State Park Southshore. 724-730-3415 or rl5pete@comcast.netOct. 29, 9 a.m.: Ghostly Gray Trail Race, Prospect. Choice of 5K or 10K at Camp Lutherlyn. Also 30k mountain bike race at 10 A.M. 724-284-1134, ext. 250Oct. 29, 9:30 a.m.: Freaky 5K, Pittsburgh. Costumes encouraged. www.pittsburghmarathon.comOct. 29, 9:30 a.m.: Terrifying 10K, North Park. Costumes encouraged. www.pittsburghmarathon.comOct. 30, 9 a.m.: Farmers Inn Halloween Half Marathon and 5K, Sigel. Post race buffet. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.comOct. 30, 9 a.m.: Zombie 5K and 1 Mile Candy Corn Family Fun Run and Walk, Cranberry Township. Run through North Boundary Park, costumes encouraged. 724-935-1650 or www.cranberrytwpsunriserotary.orgNov. 5, 9:30 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Butler. 724-287-4733 or www.bcfymca.orgRace resultsRichard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, September 25 (finishing times under 60 minutes): Curtis Larimer, 1st Overall M, 30:48; Lisa Burnett, 1st Overall W, 35:15; William Schmidt, 3rd 55-59 M, 40:58; Val Wolfarth, 3rd 55-59 W, 45:25; Margretta Lutz, 1st 80+ W, 1:14:43; Brian Forester, 37:03; Dean Rippee, 37:44; Matthew Schmidt, 38:29; Michael Baumgartel, 38:40; Wesley Roberts, 38:40; Benjamin Gross, 38:47; Leslie Kramer, 40:04; Todd Roberts, 40:10; Christopher Bloch, 40:14; Michael Stitt, 40:40; Bill Shepards, 41:14; Jodi Wokutch-Leung, 41:20; Jeffrey Hoban, 42:03; Ryan Miller, 42:21; Luke Eckley, 42:24; Robert Pudlo, 42:32; Sean Dolan, 43:16; Donald Briggs, 43:23; David Bowser, 43:34; Barry Waiter, 43:36; Josh Edmiston, 43:39; Paul McCartney, 44:02; Ron Hanna, 44:03; Sharyl Relic, 44:11; Josh Boudreau, 44:15; Grant Coffield, 44:37; Philip Mathew, 44:37; Bob Gracie, 45:03; Dustin Eaton, 45:13; Casey Kramer, 45:19; Kelly Coffield, 45:28; Sean Martin, 45:29; Dayna Bonno, 45:33; Emma Sledge, 45:33; Scott Wood, 45:47; John Bumpus, Jr., 45:54; John Alexander, 45:55; Daniel Bolena, 45:57; Mike Bellack, 45:58; Matt Marshall, 46:19; Dana Longwell, 46:26; Ben Rhoads, 46:42; Steven Walter, 46:36; John Ristey, 46:48; Ryan Leonberg, 46:53; Michelle Carnicelli, 47:01; Michael Menchyk, 47:03; Jeff Hans, 47:13; William Marsh, 47:14; Rachel Hensler, 47:42; Scott Ortsey, 47:42; Kathy Hensler, 47:46; T.J. Pynos, 47:50; Chad Collums, 47:54; Sarah Locke, 47:54; Chad Snyder, 48:13; John Verona, 48:15; Jennifer Zangardi,, 48:23; Brittany Vogel, 48:38; Brian Meyers, 48:42; Tim Sharek, 48:52; Jaffrey Vance, 48:53; Nick Kijowski, 48:57; Israel Christie, 49:00; Mark Stanek, 49:03; Jason Kuchta, 49:21; Jeff Caskey, 49:49; Everett Burns, 50:00; Edward Schreiber IV, 50:02; Greg Peitz, 50:03; Patrick McCurdy, 50:09; Bob Todd, 50:21; Gloria Caceres, 50:29; Christopher Febrowicz, 50:35; Asley King, 50:35; Ryan Richards, 50:40; Christine Edmiston, 50:42; Paul Gentile, 50:47; Randy Cameron, 50:50; Dan Mitchell, 51:04; David Steigerwald, 51:13; Christy Joyce, 51:15; Chad Slaughenhoupt, 51:24; Chad Ellis, 51:27; Lindsay Myers, 51:46; Jen Tonini, 51:49; Mary Moody, 51:51; Matt Heasley, 51:51; Rick Steinle, 52:02; Chris Burkhiser, 52:05; Kathleen Filiaggi, 52:07; Bob Markovich, 52:11; Kristy Martins, 52:13; Troy DeMaster, 52:14; Gypsy Horner, 52:16; Amanda Book, 52:17; Jason Acerra, 52:29; Dave Nelson, 52:31; Erica Hilliard, 52:33; Lewis Minett, 52:43; Annie Oldon, 52:55; Dale McConnell, 53:03; Jennifer McKnabb, 53:06; Robert Crawford, 53:07; Shawn Hall, 53:07; Landon Wood, 53:09; Cyndie DeLucia, 53:09; Dave Csupak, 53:10; Jinny Hertweck, 53:12; April Tuza, 53:18; Tony Pityk, 53:22; Doug Cygan, 53:26; David Palascak, 53:33; Chris Walters, 53:33; Matthew Saeler, 53:37; Jorge Biasggiani, 53:39; Darren Klaum, 53:41; Nathan Grijalva, 53:41; Eva Cervantes, 53:44; Katelyn Conn, 54:08; Anne Conn, 54:09; Jeffrey Moffett, 54:09; Leslie Stofko, 54:12; Jerry Heinz, 54:12; Margaret Martin, 54:12; Michael Carnicelli, 54:13; Carley Riggin, 54:15; Stephen Dofner, 54:17; Mark Longwell, 54:26; Jen Beachem, 54:30; Michele Schirf, 54:32; John Scungio, 54:33; Dawn Cancilla, 54:37; Jennifer Aprile, 54:42; Angela Oldfield, 56:43; Alec Noel, 54:46; Ricardo Baron, 54:46; Amy Sain, 54:50; Holly Depew, 54:55; Amanda Bradford, 54:59; Jack Kramer, 55:00; Steven Day, 55:00; Susan Hagan, 55:00; Nelson Noto, 55:03; Chuck Bergman, 55:06; Sarah Fowler, 55:09; Roger Black, 55:13; Dawn Carlson, 55:31; Michael Limbacher, 55:32; Danielle Weber, 55:37; John Scanlon, 55:42; Carly Burns, 55:44; Edward Screiber III, 55:48; Dana Hartley, 55:49; Gary Boyd, 55:58; Angela Mencer, 55:59; Colleen McCloskey, 56:01; Debbie Gallagher, 56:02; Amy Wagner, 56:08; Nathan Andrulonis, 56:10; Mary Ryan, 56:14; George Karpakis, 56:22; Thomas Aiken, 56:27; Megan Spear, 56:28; Clay Spencer, 56:29; Tom Kennedy, 56:32; Lauren Case, 56:37; Kim Greenstein, 56:37; Lisa Collums, 56:38; Leigh Anne Shubert, 56:39; Nicole Rebholz, 56:40; Larry Brubach, 56:41; Lori McClafferty, 56:48; Robert Lally, 56:49; Chrissy Kaufman, 56:50; Amy Leonard, 56:52; Suzanne Leonberg, 56:55; Sarah Matusek, 56:55; Mark Gibbons, 56:56; Cortney Kush, 56:56; Erica Shumaker, 56:56; Jessie Buterbaugh, 56:59; Sylvia Bittner, 57:02; Julie Linamen, 57:02; David Linamen, 57:03; Christine Sevin, 57:05; James Peffer, 57:06; Sean Pelusi, 57:07; Adam Childers, 57:14; Mark Straub, 57:18; Karey VandeWater, 57:21; Charles DiBello, 57:22; Amy Grossman, 57:23; Rob Snyder, 57:28; Makara Smocer, 57:29; Michael Smocer, 57:29; Bonnie Case, 57:31; Jeffrey Altmire, 57:33; Christa Bjalobok, 57:36; Shannon Zulkowski, 59:36; Carly Sethman, 57:39; Jeff Szebalskie, 57:45; Brittany Johnson, 57:46; Meghan Morris, 57:47; Kristin Stumm, 57:49; Joanne Castello, 58:04; Aileen Robertson, 58:05; Chris Soloski, 58:25; Christina Dugan, 58:31; Brian Shoemaker, 58:44; Eleanor Sargent, 58:45; Kurt Wallisch, 58:47; Jeremy Peffer, 58:51; Mark Pelusi, 58:52; Jill Todd, 58:54; Robert Congdon, 59:01; Justine Beck, 59:02; Michael Coyne, 59:02; Janet Tarr, 59:03; Robert Andrews, 59:06; Eileen Wrubel, 59:08; Jill Hanna, 59:24; Michael Sciulli, 59:38; Andrea Wong, 59:39; Carin Bellack, 59:43; Kaitlin Fredette, 59:49Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle