I’ve often said that running is a journey, not a destination and that runners are seekers more than finders. But where are we going and what are we looking for?

I’ve narrowed runners’ motivation to keep putting one foot in front of the other as a quest for answers to three questions — How far? How fast? How long?

How far? I still remember my first run — a wobbly quarter mile downhill on my driveway. I was panting and bent over by the time I reached the mailbox on a warm day in June. But the next day (and for many days following), I was back at it, each time going a little longer and gradually getting stronger.

Each day brought a new challenge, but also brought me closer to my goal of running 10 miles around North Park Lake in the Pittsburgh Magazine Marathon. By race day in September, I proudly crossed the finish line to answer that question, “How far can I run?”

But the strange thing about that question is that the answer lasts about as long as a post-run shower. In a few days I began to wonder if I could run farther. And when I finished a marathon, I set my sites on the 35+ miles of Rachel Carson Trail Challenge.

Each runner chases their own answer to “How far?” I see it in beginning runners completing their first 5k run and my friends training for Glacier Ridge Trail Ultra. It’s also the question in my almost 2-year-old grandson’s eyes as he dashes ahead of me on a neighborhood sidewalk.

How fast? At a local race, I sipped Gatorade and munched post-race pizza with a few friends, one elated to set a personal best time for the 10k. A new runner, she asked, “How fast do you think I can run?”

I paused, then gave her the short answer, “You won’t know until you can’t do it anymore.”

The much longer answer depends on genetics, determination, opportunity, training and luck. As I write this, several Butler County runners are completing this year’s Boston Marathon. They’ve already earned one answer, running a marathon fast enough to meet the qualifying standards for Boston Marathon eligibility. And now they’ve trained to see if once again, they can beat the clock.

Eventually, if you run long enough, you will reach that point where your fastest 5k, 10k or marathon best times are set in stone. For some, that becomes a frustrating wall to pound against.

But if those race times won’t budge, maybe it’s time for a new challenge. Try a new distance for a personal best. Train for a fast mile or seek out a seldom contested distance such as 4k or 15k. Or hit the trails where race distances are rarely exact.

How long? I am at the point in my running life where the biggest question is “How long?” I don’t know if I can run farther since at my slower pace, running consumes much more time. And I know I will never run as fast as I once had. But each day that I lace up my shoes to hit the road, trail or treadmill is an answer and a gift.

One of my fellow runners now in his mid-80s has run countless marathons and trail ultras in his long running career. He recently expressed his desire to run until the day he dies whether that day is tomorrow or 20 years from now.

I also see runners questioning as they face changing life stresses or injuries. How long can they keep running and if they stop, will they ever come back?

Life is full of uncertainties and questions. There are days of wonder, days of pain and days when running is the answer no matter how far, how fast or how long.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k Run/Walk, Elizabeth Township. Run or walk on Yough River Trail of Great Allegheny Passage. 412-780-7802 or donna.bour@bourassociates.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day Dash 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boat House. 703-237-0085 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=136327

Saturday, 9:15 a.m.: Pace at the Pointe 5k Run/Walk, Hermitage. 724-347-5595 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/WholeLifeServicesPaceatthePoint

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Autism Walk and Resource Fair 5k, Dubois. Flat and fast out-and-back on Beaver Meadow Walkway. 814-371-5387 or runsignup.com/Race?raceId=127191

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Foxwall and AVFD Run for the Hill of It, Aspinwall. Uphill 1-mile race on one of the steepest hills in Pittsburgh. Post-race family activities Fireman’s Memorial Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Aspinwall/RunForTheHillOfItChallenge?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK

May 1, 7 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh. An entire weekend of running events from pet walk and toddler trot to half, full and relay marathons. Also new walkers’ half marathon. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com or 412-586-7785

May 7, 6 a.m.: Glacier Ridge Ultra 50 Miles, 50k and 30k, and 50 Mile Relay, Portersville. Challenging trail race on Glacier Ridge Trail starting at McDanel’s Boat Launch in Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/GlacierRidgeTrailUltramarathonTrailRace

May 8, 9 a.m.: Thrifty 5k, Allison Park. Starts at Harmar Pavilion in North Park. Vintage t-shirts and finisher medals from past races. Custom age group awards from past races. Additional race swag for sale at thrift store prices. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Thrifty5KPittsburgh

May 11, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamestown. Scenic run through Pymatuning State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Jamestown/Muskie5kand2MileWalk?remMeAttempt=

May 14, 8 a.m.: Diamond Dash 10k, 6k Run and 5k Walk Race, Hollidaysburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/HollidaysburgDiamondDash

May 15, 8 a.m.: Ghost Creek Half Marathon, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BlackLick/GhostCreekHalfMarathon

May 20, 7 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. 724-354-3779 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalk

May 21, 7 a.m.: Oil Creek 5 & 13 Stacked Trail Races, Titusville. Run 5 or 13 miles on Gerard Hiking Trail. www.runrace.net/findarace.php?id=22141PA&tab=a3

May 21, 8 a.m.: Patti J. Nelson Foundation 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Evans City. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EvansCity/PattiJNelsonFoundationMemorialRunWalk

May 21, 8:30 a.m.: Rails-to_Trails 5k Run/K9 Walk and Tunnel Fun Run, Barnsville OH. Hand-crafted trophies, door prizes, smorgasboard. 740-310-2117 or runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleRailsToTrails5k

May 21, 8 a.m.: Christopher Hulbert Memorial 5k, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/ChristopherHulbertMemorial5k

May 21, 9 a.m.: Butler’s Back the Blue 5k, Butler. Also 2 Mile Fun Run in Alameda Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlersBacktheBlue5k

May 22, 6:30 p.m..: Summer Solstice 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Portersville. Run along South Shore of Moraine State Park. Free 1-mile run/walk for kids 12 and under. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/SUMMERSOLSTICE5K1MILE

Race results

Best Buddies 5k, April 2: Reagan Donahue, 1st Overall M, 18:00; Kim Platt, 1st Overall W, 21:38; Michael Cramer, 2nd 20-39, 19:27; Logan Diaz, 1st 14 & Under M, 25:27; Addyson Traggiai, 2nd 14 & Under W, 26:11; Alyssa Cornel, 3rd 14 & Under W, 26:20; Jamie Kemper, 3rd 40-59 W, 26:47; Mandy Jockel, 1st 20-39 W, 26:50; Kayla Hochuli, 2nd 20-39 W, 27:24; Jaclyn Rohrman, 3rd 20-39 W, 28:29; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 60+ M, 30:25; Drake Ludwik, 2nd 1-14 M, 33:12; Henry Dlugas, 3rd 14 & Under M, 33:50; Katherine White, 1st 15-19 W, 38:21; Rosa Sapienza, 2nd 15-19 W, 50:13; Jaime Friel, 3rd 15-19 W, 50:13; Ethan Horne, 20:53; Kevin Condon, 23:46; Anthony Hochuli, 24:21; Brian Zurzolo, 25:32; David Singleton, 25:39; Jaison Moslander, 26:36; Cassandra Pencek, 26:47; Amelia Turner, 27:06; Jessica Moslander, 27:36; Briana Dugan, 28:29; Chelsy Olsen, 30:06; Kerry Lascuola, 30:12; Katie Lascuola, 30:18; Adam Olsen, 30:35; Katherine O’Leary, 31:36; Jaime Hess, 31:42; Evan Ludwik, 32:47; Ashley Werner, 32:52; Andrew Moulton, 33:13; Meagan Summerville, 33:23; Tiah Popa, 33:39; Michelle Dlugas, 33:51; Leah Mraz, 34:48; Max Kaechele, 35:28; Josh Miller, 35:58; Justine Keene, 36:16; Jessica Scott Rodgers, 36:33; Brenna Wincer, 36:44; Carolyn Wincer, 36:46; Tracie Keene, 38:21; Heidi Fleming, 38:49; Evelyn Oldham, 39:35; Lilly Smith, 39:37; Nicholle Smith, 39:38; Brianna King, 39:57; Lizzy King, 39:57; Kimberlee Dickey, 40:09; Robyn Holz, 40:09; Traci Slease, 42:31; Bradley White, 42:38; Stephanie Oswald, 48:12; Becky Miller, 48:12; Michelle Froilan, 49:59; Lexi Buck, 50:14; Jackson Froilan, 50:24; Brianna Bailey, 51:48; Sarah Zanetti, 51:49; Michael Green, 55:52

Best Buddies 1 Mile, April 2: Bob Teagarden, 1st Overall M, 5:40; Raeleigh Niemeyer, 1st Overall W, 9:31; Braylen Werner, 8:09; Brandt Reeder, 8:45; Jim Reeder, 8:45; Bennett Werner, 9:19; Ray Niemeyer, 9:30; Emily Platt, 9:52; Noah Jockel, 10:03; Sadie Jockel, 10:16; Evan Luksik, 10:20; Emma Post, 10:32; Baylor Zinkhann, 10:33; Drake Ludwik, 10:39; Garrett Smith, 11:04; Logan Smith, 11:05; Cameron Wincer, 11:05; Cole Wincer, 11:08; Tommy Smith, 11:09; Julie Hobbs, 11:30; Trenton Smith, 11:32; Christian Wehrli, 11:33; Alyssa Rager, 11:34; Maddox Rager, 11:44; Karla Clark

11:56; Logan Knight, 11:56; Mariella Clark, 11:57; Paisley Werner, 11:58; Ella Kormos, 12:15; Liliana Milligan, 12:25; Cory Milligan, 12:26; Brian Beals, 12:27; Lincoln Beals, 12:28; Rex Niemeyer, 12:53; Mason Rager, 12:57; Chanel Niemeyer, 13:10; Victoria Hammond, 13:11; Karen Earhart, 13:12; Anna Earhart, 13:15; Anna McKain, 13:17; Sam Brown, 13:26; Addyson Koch, 13:31; Jamie Colteryahn. 13:33; Savannah Colteryahn, 13:34; Hallie Colteryahn, 13:34; Lyric Kuminkoski, 14:29; Keegan Riggenbach, 14:29; Connor Kumindoicki, 14:32; Luke Fazzino, 14:52; Michael Fazzino, 14:52; Shaylea Shay, 14:58; Azlynn Kormos, 15:15; Megan Kormos, 15:15; Sean McKain, 15:16; Bob Brown, 15:23; Sydney Popa 15:28; Emily McKain, 15:32; Olivia McKain, 15:37; Kyle Popa, 15:46; Greg Mayer, 16:19; Asher Reges, 16:29; Grace Rodgers, 16:32; Marissa Klingensmith, 16:32; Norman Rodgers, 16:33; Ashley Beck, 16:39; Valeire Checkeye, 16:40; Makenzi McLaughlin, 16:41; Jim Checkeye, 16:47; Rebecca Fulmer, 16:48; Dale Clark, 16:51; William Clark, 16:51; Jenna Reeder, 16:52; Tabitha Bush, 17:41; Nikola Bush, 17:48; Clara Vero, 18:13; Michael Vero, 18:14; Theresa Allen, 18:15; Fallon Rath, 18:17; Mia Collier, 18:17; Jordan Kreeger, 18:39; Christy Andler, 19:11; Diane Robbins, 19:26; Gwen Robbins, 19:27; Erik Robbins, 19:27; Luke Robbins, 19:29; Cole Negich, 19:29; Hadley Painter, 19:31; Emerson Painter, 19:31; Mike Shook, 19:58; Shannon Shook, 20:01; Ron Gianneski, 20:35; Max Gianneski, 20:35; Dana D'Antonio, 20:47; Cooper Slomer, 20:48; Anna D'Antonio, 21:53; Vincent D'Antonio, 21:53; Joshua Ramos, 22:17; Sophia Ramos, 22:29; Denise Hobaugh, 22:36; Keith Hobaugh, 22:37; Shelby Smith, 22:51; Michael Brooks, 22:52; Martha Brooks, 22:53; Joe Brooks, 22:55; Mary Kelly, 22:55; Hensley Reges, 23:13; Alisha Stephenson, 23:14; Pam Reges, 23:15; Sawyer Painter, 24:11; Atticus Painter, 24:28; Caitlin Painter, 24:31; Lennox Gold, 24:33; Amanda Gold, 24:43; Patty Daniels, 24:52; Jodie Vero, 25:52; Gabriella Vero, 25:52

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle