Skip to content
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Center Staff
  • Board of Trustees
  • Services
    • Sunday Services & Meditation
    • Wednesday’s Wisdom
    • Congregational Songs
    • Archived videos on our Youtube Channel
  • Gallery
  • Media
  • Contact Us
Top Menu

Center for Spiritual Living
Center for Spiritual Living
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, know that you are welcome here.
  • Programs
    • Animal Kinship Ministry
    • Circle of Love
    • Coming Home – Awakening To Spirit
    • Community Outreach Programs
    • Jewel Tones Choir
    • New Thought Bookstore
    • Shifting Sands
    • Youth and Family
  • Science of Mind Classes
    • Course Descriptions
    • Current & Upcoming Classes
  • Events & Calendar
  • Prayer Ministry
    • Affirmative Prayer: Career and Creativity
    • Affirmative Prayer: Health
    • Affirmative Prayer: Love and Relationships
    • Affirmative Prayer: Spirituality and Consciousness
    • Affirmative Prayer: Wealth
  • Ministers
  • Give
  • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • Programs
    • Animal Kinship Ministry
    • Circle of Love
    • Coming Home – Awakening To Spirit
    • Community Outreach Programs
    • Jewel Tones Choir
    • New Thought Bookstore
    • Shifting Sands
    • Youth and Family
  • Science of Mind Classes
    • Course Descriptions
    • Current & Upcoming Classes
  • Events & Calendar
  • Prayer Ministry
    • Affirmative Prayer: Career and Creativity
    • Affirmative Prayer: Health
    • Affirmative Prayer: Love and Relationships
    • Affirmative Prayer: Spirituality and Consciousness
    • Affirmative Prayer: Wealth
  • Ministers
  • Give
  • Volunteer
  • Blog

Life Lessons from Triathlon

Have you ever been so terrified that you wanted to cry and vomit at the same time? You shake uncontrollably? Your fight or flight area of your brain has been activated and screams, “Run for the hills!” But your bowels protest screaming, “Run for the porta potty instead!”

Welcome to triathlon my friend. Defined, triathlon is a swim followed by a bike followed by a run. All in one day.

I read somewhere that triathletes are classified as narcissists and masochists rolled into one crazy little package. Anybody not associated with this sport can’t imagine why anyone in their right mind would ever want to do such a thing.

My journey into this insanity began 6 years ago. It changed my life and how I look at it forever.

I joined an all women’s triathlon team. The voice inside my head told me I didn’t measure up to these elite athletes. I had absolutely no business even thinking about it! What I actually experienced was quite different. These women came in all shapes and sizes. Varying fitness levels and ages that spanned across the board. Lots of professional women and busy moms just like me. Hallelujah! We all had similar fears and some negative self talk. We were all here for many different reasons. However we all shared one common goal. To see what our glorias bodies were made of. And how far we could mentally be pushed. Most of these women had accomplished so much in their lives and were still looking for something more.

For the last 6 years we’ve trained together miraculous things started happening. Our bodies were going from soft and weak to fit and strong. We were getting faster in all three sports. Mentally when you didn’t think you had anymore to give there would be our coach screaming at us,”Yes, I know you have more in you now give it to me!!” And some how we did have more to give.

We spent many training sessions scared out of our wits to enter the 60 degree ocean with large rumbling waves for our mile swim. Our backs screaming in agony after a 70 mile ride only to end with a mind numbing 6 mile run. We cried and laughed and cheered together. Always pushing each other to be the best we could possibly be.

We travelled long distances to races together. Packed 6 girls in one hotel room with all our bikes because we were afraid someone would steal them before the race.

Always on race day the mood was somber. Supporting those of us having per race jitters or a panic attack or just an old fashioned nervous breakdown. We talk about forbidden subjects such as gastro intestinal problems and other unmentionable bodily functions. If one of our girls went down during a race we stopped no question about it.

The most magical part of the race is the finish line. Making your way down the finishers shoot toward the finish line and seeing all your teammates there cheering you on. It’s an out of body experience. In a flash it all comes down to this glorious moment that is all about you. All the months of blood, sweat  and tears have brought you to this point. All the joys and agony you have shared with with these women. It’s absolutely pure unconditional love for each other. You are forever bonded by this experience. As you cross the finish line with the crowd cheering you on like a rockstar, suddenly you know why you do this and what it took to get you there.

These are all the reasons I do triathlon and why it’s changed my life forever. I now have the confidence to approach any situation in my life, not with fear but a good training plan. I know I can do anything. It probably won’t be as scary either!

Edwine Gains says, “You must do one thing a year that scares the s…t out of you!” Well Edwine, Accomplished!

As far as the beautiful women who are my team mates go I couldn’t and wouldn’t do this crazy sport without them. We are like sisters now. These women are all angels in disguises of workout clothes, tennis shoes and bike helmets. Every now and then you can catch a glimpse of a wing sticking out of the back of their team jersey as they race past you.

I am the luckiest crazy person in the UNIVERSE!! Please come and join us one day. We are always looking for new angels to add to the team.

Share this post

Author: Robin Pajaro

Recent Blog Posts
  • The FAD3 Fundraiser Concert

    The FAD3 Fundraiser ConcertFriday, January 13, 2023, 7 p.m, Our first event of the NEW YEAR is a Fundraiser Concert given by the FAD3, Dave Friedman, Karyn Allen, and Rick Dale Friday evening, January 13, 2023. This fun evening includes classic Beatles songs performed by the FAD3, live and silent auctions, and carousing with friends…

    January 8, 2023
  • Book Study – The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life’s Perfection

    Beginning Wednesday January 18th, Mary Brogdon will lead a book study based on Michael A. Singer’s bestselling book, The Surrender Experiment. Singer tells the story of what happened when, after a deep spiritual awakening, he decided to give up his personal fears and desires and simply let life unfold before him. From Goodreads: “Spirituality is…

    January 8, 2023
  • Class: Reignite Your Life

    Reignite Your Life: Spiritual Principles & Practicesthat will move you in the direction of your intentions with Rev. Alice Reid CHANGE YOUR THINKING, CHANGE YOUR HEART, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Are you ready to discover your emerging direction and purpose and how to make it happen? Join us for 5 weeks of self-discovery and revelation. Classes…

    January 8, 2023
  • Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service

    Return of the Light Christmas Eve marks the return of the light. Winter has arrived, the longest night has passed, and finally light begins to return. Life and wisdom are illuminated, newness abounds. Join as we welcome the Return of the Light, Saturday December 24th. Caroling: 4:45 p.m.Service: 5:00 p.m.

    December 6, 2022
  • Annual Holiday Boutique & Brunch, December 4

    Our annual Holiday Boutique and Brunch is set for December 4, 2022, after the service. Our Center’s artists, artisans, and authors will be offering their work for sale at our annual boutique. We have a number of professional photographers, graphic artists, fiber artists, and authors in our community. Here is your chance to do a…

    November 16, 2022
  • Thanksgiving Eve Taizé Wednesday November 23

    Remembering What’s Important Gather with your spiritual family Wednesday November 23 for a special Taizé service. We will hear readings on the importance of giving thanks. We’ll quietly contemplate gratitude in our own lives. And we will chant as one. Date: November 23, 2022Time: 7 – 8 p.m.Where: In person only, at the Center.Notes: No…

    November 16, 2022
Categories
  • Blog
  • Classes
  • Events
Tags
Affirmation Affirmative Prayer Audio blog center for spiritual living capistrano valley creativity Darin McClure Darin McClure Dr. Heather Clark Dr. Heather Clark Ernest Holmes Forgiveness gratitude gratitude Jason Silva Joyous Living Journal Joyous Living Journal Juli Isola Juli Isola Lisa McClure Lisa McClure Love Love Meditation meditation Music Oneness Parenting Quotes Rev. Dr. Heather Clark Rev. Dr. Heather Clark Rev. Karyn Allen Rev. Pattie Mercado Rev. Pattie Mercado Science of Mind September Warren September Warren spiritual growth Sunday Service Sunday Service Vidette Vanderweide Vidette Vanderweide Wednesday Wisdom Wednesday Wisdom Youtube
Contact Us
Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley
1201 Puerta Del Sol
Suite 100 San Clemente, California 92673

Phone: 949-240-6463

Other contact options

Volunteers: Please check your assignment schedules here.

Latest Tweets
  • https://t.co/p2YlbiLr6r https://t.co/ntd6y49CHo https://t.co/o1SPxRSiuY https://t.co/tCBkUwmXpr5 days ago
  • https://t.co/V9ThIgDYHn #meditation #SanClemente #CenterforSpiritualLiving #CapistranoValley https://t.co/uQaXkilvvf9 days ago
  • https://t.co/ntd6y49CHo https://t.co/p2YlbiLr6r https://t.co/l0p2pY2KW012 days ago
  • Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. https://t.co/STFYDxtZrD18 days ago
  • https://t.co/iHSlx2NAVM https://t.co/A1ACZfLjuQ https://t.co/2MV6ewfWC019 days ago
  • Tonight, at the Center, 7 p.m.! 1201 Puerta del Sol, First Floor, San Clemente, CA https://t.co/Th77lGtmAr21 days ago
Latest Facebook Update

Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley

Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley

Season for Nonviolence Day 5: February 3The thought for today is BELIEVING. Author, Wayne Dyer writes about the impact that our beliefs have on our daily lives. Believe that you have all the resources you need to move your life in the direction of peace, happiness and nonviolence. Believe that you can be peaceful all day. Say to yourself “I am peaceful, I practice nonviolence.”Today: I will write what I believe about nonviolence. I will create an “I Believe in Nonviolence” t-shirt, bumper sticker, song, or art, and be aware of the simple demonstrations of peaceful responses.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Center for Spiritual Living
© Copyright Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley