I am a people loving, word loving, nature loving, dog loving, runner girl.
Running is my passion - well one of my passions - and I've been running for thirty years. I started because, one, I wanted to lose a few pounds after Wendy was born, and two, I was inspired by my brother, Milt Bedingfield, who was competing in the Ironman World Triathlon in Hawaii every year back then when most people had never heard of a triathlon.
I've been running ever since because it makes me feel good in my mind and in my body. I love the fresh air, the feeling of making my heart race, and the endorphin high. I love running in the woods, enjoying nature and meditating. I love running with my friends, and I love racing, pushing myself to the limit and feeling spent but enormously happy afterward.
In 2008 I became an RRCA (Road Runner Clubs of America) certified running coach, and - this will sound silly - but that newly acquired running knowledge just added fuel to my running fire. Learn more about my coaching business at MojoforRunning.com. I do online coaching via my Coach on Call program, which is kind of like having an attorney on call except it's a running coach, and I am available to coach local groups of four or more. Both programs are very affordable.
I've had the opportunity to run in some fabulous places, like on the coast near San Francisco, on the road between Hopkinton and Boston, and on the carriage trails near ZAP Fitness outside of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. But I'd have to say there is nowhere that I would rather run than Lake Rogers Park. I feel so lucky to have that unspoiled chunk of paradise just a few minutes from my home.
In 2008 I began taking photos at races. I've enjoyed photography ever since I wrote my senior research paper about photography at Chamberlain High School and then received my first SLR as a graduation gift from my then boyfriend and now husband, David. Since then, I've taken thousands of photos and taught photography at three schools. At races, I mostly take informal candid photos of people basking in the satisfying afterglow that follows a good effort, but I also like to photograph nature, so check out my Upper Tampa Bay Trail and Lake Rogers Park photo albums.
I was born in Tampa and have always lived in the Carrollwood area with my two children, Wendy and Ben, both grown now, my husband of 36 years, David, and my fluffy, white canine companion, Bailey.
In December '07, I completed my first marathon, and since that time, thanks to Take the First Step Club, I had the unbelievable opportunity to run the Boston Marathon, the experience of a lifetime for this runner, and the Marine Corps Marathon. However, the half marathon remains my favorite distance.
I swam for Chamberlain and, more recently, coached swimming at Gaither and Sickles. As a result, swimming is a good event for me, so I sometimes do triathlons as well. In 2010 I'll compete in St. Anthony's for the first time.
I love competition of all kinds, especially trivia and word games. I competed in the Urban Challenge with my daughter Wendy. It is an urban adventure race involving trivia, running, logistics, and Internet prowess. Two people actual run the race and a third team member is at home on the Internet, communicating with the team by phone and helping to solve clues to ten checkpoints where the team must checkin to complete the race. Wendy and I came in fifth here in the Tampa race and later that year competed in the national championship in New Orleans. That was the experience of a lifetime, and sharing it with my daughter as my teammate? Well, that was just over the top for me.
In '07 I did an Urban Dare race with son, Ben, in San Francisco, his home now, and later that year did an Urban Dare in Tampa with Wendy. Urban Dare is similar to the Urban Challenge, but it includes physical challenges. I hope to encourage more Tampans to compete in the Urban Dare race in Tampa in March of '09. If you've ever watched Amazing Race on TV, it's similar to that, but of course, it all takes place in a few hours. Go to UrbanDare.com. Wendy and I will be the team to beat.
I hope you find this website helpful. As an English teacher, I like to do research and provide information. If you like to write, please respond to my posts with comments, and if you have an idea for a post topic, please email me. I'd love to hear from you. If you see me at a race with my camera, please do not hesitate to grab me and ask me to take your picture; I'd love to comply. It's what I do :)
Take care and keep running : )
Comments