My goals for this year's triathlon are not the goals I had years ago
- Joelle Gordon
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Hi ,
Last week I wrote about slowing down in the body. This week I want to talk about slowing down the goal itself — because those aren't the same thing, and I had to learn that the hard way, one triathlon season at a time.
When I first started doing triathlons, my goal was to be fast. To win, or at least get on the podium. And for a while, I did — That was the goal, and I met it.
That goal is long past now. Not because I failed at it, but because it stopped being mine.
These days I sign up for a different reason. I want a reason to get out the door and keep moving. That's it. Every year I get to reset the goal based on where I actually am — not where I was, not where I "should" be by now. This year a bike fall changed things a little. My training looked different, my body needed different things. But the goal stayed the same underneath it: get to the starting line, get to the finish line. This year I also added something new — I want to do the swim gracefully. Not fast. Gracefully.
Here's what I notice with almost every client who comes to me overfunctioning and exhausted: they're still training for a goal someone else set, or a goal they set years ago, in a completely different season of life. And when this year's body or bandwidth doesn't match that old goal, it gets filed as failure.
The goal is allowed to change when you change. Resetting it isn't giving up on yourself — it's the version of the goal that's actually true for you right now.
If you're sitting with a goal that doesn't fit the year you're actually in, I'd love to help you find the one that does. No pitch, just a conversation
— grab a free Clarity Session
Here's to getting to the starting line, and to whatever pace gets you to the finish.
Joelle
The Summer Slow-Down
As the season reaches its warmest peak, we invite you to find pockets of stillness. Below is our upcoming calendar of gongs, labyrinths, and intentional rest.
The August Unraveling
August 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Franklinville, NJ
A late-summer gathering centered around a labyrinth walk, gentle sound, and time in nature. We’ll slow down, release what the season has been holding, and settle into quiet reflection as the sun sets.
Summer Slow-Down Series
Aug 12 | 7:00 PM
A monthly Reiki and gong gathering at Living Ur Joy exploring the theme of Receive.
Monroe Library Experience
Aug 13 | 7:00 PM
A calming indoor sound session and outdoor labyrinth walk for quiet reflection.
Water Reset
August 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Williamstown, NJ
Float on water while live gongs wash sound through your body. Floating Sound Sessions is a poolside sound bath experience brought to you—rafts provided, nothing to do but receive.
Join us in Arizona
And if you're the kind of person already thinking further ahead: I'm hosting a 5-day retreat in Sedona, Arizona next spring — Grounded in Currents, March 17–21, 2027, at The Field at Oak Creek. It's an intimate group of just 12-15 women, with red rock views, restorative yoga, sound, and days built around meditation, water, and rest. Rooms start at $2,100 for a shared bunk, with options up to a private queen room, and monthly payment plans are available. Right now you can save $200 off any room with code SUMMERHEAT, valid through August 31. See rooms & reserve your spot with link below. Not ready to commit? Reach out and I'll only send updates about an interest meet up happening soon.
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