My First Triathlon :Toronto Triathlon Festival Sprint Distance
Last year, I completed my first-ever triathlon at the Toronto Triathlon Festival, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. I signed up for the Sprint distance, and honestly, I felt nervous leading up to it — especially about the swim. I had never done an open-water swim before, and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel once I got into the lake.
At that moment I haven’t join team running free. Thankfully, the team at Running Free helped me a lot during my preparation. The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable — they shared their own race experiences with me and gave me great advice on what gear to use. I ended up buying my wetsuit, swim gear, and running shoes from them, and they made a huge difference on race day.
When the race started, I took a deep breath and told myself to just enjoy it. Once I got into the water, I was surprised — the temperature was perfect, the weather was calm, and everything just felt right. The nervousness slowly turned into excitement. I kept a steady pace and focused on staying relaxed.
The bike course was flat and smooth, which helped me settle into a rhythm. I felt strong on the bike and tried to enjoy the ride through the city. It was amazing to see everyone cheering along the route — it really lifted my energy.
By the time I got to the run, I was tired but also excited because I knew the finish line wasn’t far away just a 5 km. I focused on keeping my pace steady and reminded myself that I’d come this far — just keep going!
Crossing the finish line was one of the best feelings ever. I felt proud, emotional, and so happy that I didn’t give up. It was more than just a race — it was proof that I could do something I once thought was too hard for me.
For anyone thinking about doing their first triathlon, I’d say go for it. It might seem scary at first, but once you start, you’ll surprise yourself with what you can do. Every stroke, pedal, and step is worth it.
