Walters: Race series medals a great way to motivate runners

A few weeks ago, I decided I no longer enjoyed running after work.

Some time around April in Florida, it's no longer fun to run in the blazing heat at 6:30 in the evening. In years past, I'd slog through it. Now, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. before work to get my runs in.

I haven't missed a beat for four weeks. (That's pretty good considering I have a 1-year-old.)

I'm not quite sold on getting up that early, but the run itself has been so much more enjoyable than what I had previously endured.

The point is, regardless of sleep or conditions, I get out there at least three times a week to run. I usually do 5K distances during the week, and I do a longer run early on Sundays.

I'm up to seven miles now, and I'll keep adding on and trying to improve my times leading up to the Space Coast Half Marathon on Nov. 29.

A new running season is upon us with the Firecracker 5K this weekend. It opens the Running Zone Race Series, a seven-race series that goes through next May.

Next month, Space Coast Runners begins its race series with the Running on Island Time 5K on Merritt Island. SCR has 10 events in its series.

Whether you do one series or both, these runs are a great way to get in shape, meet new people and motivate yourself to stay fit year-round.

Last year, I was able to complete all seven runs in the Running Zone Race Series. I was never in contention to take a top 3 finish in my age group, but I had a PR in the Ghostly Gecko, and I ran the Jingle Bell 2-mile in 15:59. It was a great feeling.

After the season, I e-mailed my friend Laura Sanchez at Running Zone and suggested that for people like me – runners who do all the races but have no chance of placing – maybe we could have a printable certificate to mark our achievement. I suggested it could be similar to the one received by people who run the Space Coast Marathon and Half Marathon.

She responded by saying that not only was it a good idea, but they at the Running Zone had a similar thought, and they would do one better than a certificate – they'd award a medal to people who finish all seven races.

This was news to my ears. It keeps me focused on finishing all the races, and it gives me a goal to work toward.

When I ran cross county at Merritt Island High School, I was always one of the slowest on the team. My best 5K time ever was a 24:50, and that was at age 17.

Now, at age 38, and having developed asthma in my 20s, I can run a 5K in under 26 minutes (at my absolute best). My PR at the Ghostly Gecko was 25:51.

I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that I can beat the time I did as a high schooler.

That's my goal. What's yours? I know you have something in mind. So dust off your running shoes, sign up for a local race and let's get in shape (and stay in shape) together.

Walters can be reached at (321) 242-3681, twalters@floridatoday.com or Twitter @twaltersinforms