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A year and a half of lost time and frustration is finally over for Leah Soro.

She's running again - pain free.

It was a long road to recovery for the former PrepXtra Cross Country Runner of the Year from West High School.

"I think the past two years have just been a test of patience," the Tennessee Lady Vols senior said. "I've dealt with a lot of injuries, starting after my cross country season my sophomore year all the way through the end of last year.

"It was an every day battle trying to stay confident and keep a positive attitude."

She remembers the tears. She remembers the soul-searching talks with Lady Vols coach J.J. Clark.

"I would go into his office and say, 'I'm so frustrated,' " Soro said as UT prepares to open its season today in the Belmont Opener 4K in Nashville. "I was working so hard and nothing was coming from it. I was just getting injured over and over again.

"That was the hardest thing - knowing my potential and not being able to reach it because I was in pain."

Her potential was put on full display as a freshman in 2005.

She earned All-SEC and All-South Region honors in her first season despite having just one year of distance running in her background at West.

Soro's troubles began as a sophomore when a cyst in her right foot ruptured and led to a painful infection.

She underwent surgery after the cross-country season and had to sit out the entire indoor season.

What followed was a seemingly endless string of injuries that cost her the entire 2007 junior season.

"I have amazing teammates who helped me through everything I've been through," Soro said. "And I have an amazing coach who is really understanding and patient."

Patience has been the key.

Soro has experienced five months of pain-free running and training as she heads into her final UT campaign.

She's not ready to say she's back better than ever, but that's not what she's focused on right now.

She's smiling again. She's part of the team again.

"I think the big change between now and my freshman year is my rekindling of love for the sport," she said. "It's a lot more fun for me now.

"I really do love it and that's why I'm out here, that's why I've gone through everything I've gone through. I'm always smiling."

When Soro is smiling, so is her coach.

"She has trained all summer and she has been in good form," Clark said. "We look forward to having her contribute to the program again.

"She will help us. It's not magic or anything. She has to train and she's doing that, but she's probably in a little better position than she was her freshman year."

The Lady Vols hope to rebound from an injury-plagued 2007 season led by senior star Sarah Bowman, a two-time All-South and three-time All-SEC selection.

Katie Van Horn, a 2007 All-South and All-SEC selection also returns, but is battling through some early injury woes.

"I think our team has got a really good chance of being great," Soro said. "We've got a lot of really good talent coming in (including Kelsey Kane of West and Ally Colvin of Maryville).

"Then we've got Sarah and her amazing leadership and incredible talent that no one doubts."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.