Attention Catholic Triathletes, and Everyone Else - caution religion thread!

How 'bout Sister Madonna Buder. She's a nun in the Seattle area who will be racing at Kona in the:

75-79 division!

I think Sister is 75 herself.

She holds two AG IM Kona records, and three AG IM Canada records.

I had a priest who used motorcycle and SCUBA analogies all the time. His one homily was just this..."In the words of bill and ted..."be excellent to eachother."

That's great. I love it when priests have a good sense of humour.

The priest at the Cow wedding was dancing to "Sexual Healing." I'm not sure I can ever get that image out of my head. I had to switch the mass I went to.

The title of tomorrow's show is:

Professional Triathlete - Running the Race for Holiness!

Brad has an interesting take on using tri training to further his spiritual development and prayer life.

There's been a couple of other threads here about things like meditating during training. Given how much time training takes, it's interesting to think about using it to further one's spiritual development.

Don, I think it's a very salient point. I have felt spiritually refreshed after my long runs and bikes. I believe moving our bodies can be a very holy experience.

The meditation I do while training is an integral part of my spiritual life.  It allows my training to further contribute to my overall well-being. It's based on the example of Jesuit priest I knew who ran marathons.

Reminds me of a Dear Abby (or something like that) column I once saw where a pastor sent in a request from a parishioner and his response which was something like this.

Dear Pastor _____-

Someone in our congregation insists on always have sex before church. I told her that I thought that was inappropriate. Can you please advise.

Someone


RESPONSE:

Dear Someone:

I have no problems with sex before church as long as no one blocks the aisles.

The Pastor

****

I always liked that one. (o: I'm not Catholic, but my pastor has a most excellent sense of humor. It adds so much to the spirit of joy in our church!!

Dana

Agreed.

One of the things that had worried me about this sport, expecially preparing to move up to longer races, is that all of the time it takes will make me more selfish. I worry about it making me more self centered.

Brad, and others, have helped me to see that you can actually use tris to turn outward and embrace the larger world.

For example, I think that Team in Training and other forms of fundraising are excellent ways of using tris to turn outward toward the larger world.

Of course, during the training session itself you are often intensely focused inward. But I think that this inward focus, call it meditation or prayer or what have you, is different from being self centered.

Lately, I've tried offering sessions up for the suffering of particular people. I offered my last race up for a friend of mine who had a heartattack. It's helped me to work harder because I feel like the pain the extra effort brings is for the benefit of others.

It doesn't raise any money, but since I believe in the power of prayer I feel that it is a way to help people in need. It's becoming a great motivator for helping to get out of bed in the morning!

We've got cable, but no TV!

We've been TV free for eight years or so.

I need the hi-speed internet for my photo work.  I had a DSL line, but the service was terrible. So, I switched to a cable modem last year. Much better.

It was funny to see the look on the installer's face when he asked where the TV was.

"We don't have a TV."
"Uh, don't have a TV?"
"Nope."
"Uh, but you ordered cable, right?"
"Yes."
"Uh, where should I put the remote?"
"You can put it over there, I guess."
"Uh, OKkkaayyyy."

As I said, the program is available as an internet feed. I guess the lines between TV and the web are bluring.

We don't have a TV, but I'm still gonna watch it.

Yep I've seen her racing the last 3 years at IM Canada. This year she moved up an AG, I think so I'm sure she's about to break more records.

Jen

For anyone who does not have cable, or does not have EWTN on their cable/sat system, their web site provides a free feed. Go to ww.ewtn.com, go to the "Television" menu on top, and go to "Live TV" to view. 
    
        We are all blessed by various gifts from God.  As long as we empty ourselves of our own selfish attachments to the world, and offer everything we do (be it training, prayer, or work) up to God in thanks for what God has given us, then we are doing God's will.  If we embrace that we are just passing through this world and empty ourselves of selfishness (ie, doing something merely for personal gain and satisfaction), and understand that God gives us the material goods God feels are necessary for our path in life - even if those goods are bikes, shoes and goggles - then you can be assured that what you are doing in life is right in God's eyes, even if you are training all the time!  We may not realize what God wants from us, but if we will just open ourselves fully to God (instead of selfish desires), and acknowledge that God has given us the gifts to compete in this sport for a Greater Good, then the Lord will work through us, even if we're training all the time instead of working in a soup kitchen.  I'm sure Brad Seng's example will show that to be true!  Thanks for the info on this upcoming show!

Brad was great. Hope some of you saw it.

It was cool to see a a priest in a Franciscan habit talking to a triathlete, and in the background a Cervelo tri bike leaning against the wall.

You can still catch the rebroadcasts if you missed it.