My First Triathlon

The Somersault Early Bird Triathlon

On May 16, 2026, as part of my preparation for the Ottawa Ironman Triathlon (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run), I participated in my very first triathlon. It was held by Somersault, an organization that holds endurance events in the National Capital Region such as triathlons (both summer and winter versions), duathlons, and runs.

At this particular event there were different distances one could choose from. I chose to do the Long Triathlon, so named because it was the longest one available at the event. Worth noting that the swim takes place in an indoor pool.

Here is how it all went.

Orientation

One day before the event, I made my way to Carleton University to pick up my bib. While there, I attended an orientation where a triathlon coach and fellow participant explained the logistics of setting up in the transition zone, where to begin and end each of the three sports, and more. I had the chance to explore the transition zone and see where I would rack my bicycle the following day based on my bib number.

Race day

Arrival

I arrived shortly after 7:00 am, giving myself plenty of time before the 8:00 am start time. I racked my bicycle, set out the items I would need for the bicycle and run portions, took my swimming gear and headed for the university pool. Along the way I ran into a work colleague (hi Isabelle!) and a cycling buddy (hi Medin!) who were also participating in the Long Triathlon.

My primary goal as a beginner triathlete was to learn from the experience, and finishing in a certain time was not a priority.

Swim: Facing my biggest challenge

There were several hundred people at the pool, lining up on the deck according to projected swimming speed. Starting at 8:00, swimmers started entering the pool one by one as directed by a volunteer, with the fastest ones going first. I could feel the anticipation building as my turn approached, and spoiler alert: the swim would turn out to be by far the most challenging part of the triathlon, not because it was tiring, but because it was my first participation in an organized swimming event, and in a crowded pool with people trying to pass me and vice versa.

When it was my turn, I entered the water feet-first and pushed off the wall, unlike most other participants who dove head-first. The first few strokes were pure adrenaline, but as per my race plan I quickly settled into a pace to be held for the remainder of the swim, all while reminding myself to rely on my training in this unfamiliar, at times unsettling environment. Just like in training (at other pools), I used “landmarks” on the pool floor to gauge my proximity to the wall and to completion of the lap, which gave me a tangible sense of progress.

I exited the pool feeling like the entire triathlon was half-done, because the remaining two sports (cycling and running) are more my speed. I put on my running shoes outside the pool complex, and ran about 800 m to the transition area (this is not part of a normal triathlon, but owes to the location of the pool).

Bike: In my element

I got my cycling gear on in the transition area, unhooked my bicycle from the rack, walked briskly (it is hard to run in cycling shoes) to the mount area, got on my bicycle and began my strongest of the three sports. The route was a linear 10 km stretch to be done three times for a total of 30 km, along Colonel By Drive for those who know Ottawa. I have cycled this route a number of times before, albeit on the adjacent bicycle path. Of note, I was wearing the team jersey of Tadej Pogacar, four-time winner of the Tour de France, and while cycling past a mass of spectators someone may have yelled “Go Tadej!” in my direction.

There were some gentle hills and a slight but noticeable headwind in one direction (which became a tailwind in the other), along with a narrow section with reduced lateral space because of construction. I maintained a decent pace, but avoided pushing myself to my limit to save energy for the run.

Run: Confidently bringing it home

After walking my bicycle back into the transition zone, I changed into my running gear and set off on the run, whose route overlapped with part of the cycling route. Over the past month and a half, thanks to my marathon training, running has solidly become my second-best of the three triathlon sports. So despite the fatigue and soreness by this point, I was confident in my ability to finish strong without fading. And my pacing on the bicycle allowed me to maintain a consistent rhythm throughout the run all the way to the end.

A decent beginner result

My total time was 1:56:08, broken down as a swim time of 11:52 (slower than expected, but acceptable given my relative inexperience with swimming), a bike time of 1:02:48 (in line with expectations), and a run time of 25:57 (also in line with expectations). The two transitions were where I took some time, at 10:14 from swim to bike (which included a 800 m run from the pool to the transition zone) and 5:17 from bike to run, which is OK given it was my first triathlon and I was here for the experience. My time was roughly middle of the pack among all participants (all ages, all genders).

What did I learn?

There is a first time for everything

This was my first triathlon and my first organized swimming event, and I went in knowing things could go well or they could go poorly. Somersault events tend to be fun-oriented rather than competitive, so this was a good introduction to the sport. One thing I have learned in my journey so far is that when beginning to learn a new skill, taking the first figurative step (whether in training or on race day) is usually the hardest part. And as I have discussed before, I never want to stop learning.

Even a beginner may know more than they think

Lining up at the swimming pool and gradually approaching the front of the line was probably the most challenging part of the race, because of the anticipation eating away at me, and the desire to get on with it. Fortunately, I have been in this situation (and then some) in the past. The most mentally draining, stress-inducing moments I have been through were waiting for the starting beep during my competitive rowing days, whether on the water gripping my oar at a regatta, or on a rowing machine at a land-based competition about to test my physical and mental pain tolerance. My PhD defense did not come close to inducing that kind of stress.

So, while waiting for the Somersault pool volunteer to wave me onward I thought back to my previous experiences and how, in the end, things turned out OK and in each case I came out a better athlete and arguably a better person too.

What’s next?

On May 24 I will run my first marathon, and on June 6 and 7 I will take part in the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour (the round-trip bicycle ride between Ottawa and Kingston). Stay tuned for more updates!

(Olena from Pixabay)