My challenge

Hey,

This may be a biased opinion because I am from Woodstock. But the Woodstock race set for May 25 is a great event. Its the first race of the MSC milk series. In previous years they hold the sprint distance race on Saturday and the full race on Sunday along with the try a tri. This year it looks like they are only doing the sprint on the Saturday. I did the full race last year as my first ever tri and absolutely loved it! 

My first race ever was the Try-A-Try last year at Binbrook (near Hamilton): see http://www.msctriathlon.com for a schedule of next year's races.  That series also includes the Woodstock race.  You should look at the Give-It-A-Try distance for a conservative goal (400m swim, 10K bike ride, 2.5k run; around 50 minutes for middle of the pack) or, if you're feeling a little more ambitious, the Sprint distance at Woodstock or the slightly longer Triathlon distance at Binbrook. 

You can also find races early in the season at Milton or Guelph through http://www.trisportcanada.com/home.php

I think rollerderby will help your triathlon training in the short term, since it's a pretty intense cross-training exercise and it will keep your aerobic system in shape, but if it's more than 1 night per week it may interfere with triathlon training, which I find really requires a minimum of five workouts per week, even for a sprint, one of which is a "brick" workout incorporating a run following the bike ride so that you get 2 workouts in each discipline per week.  There are a number of plans on this site that will give you some guidance as to how to organize your training.

TNT, where are you located?

Is there a date range you're hoping to hit?

Do you want a big race or a small one?

What distance are you looking at?

If you want a large race the Toronto Triathlon Festival (July 21) is about a large as it gets (that I've seen so far). Lots of energy with that many people, and conveniently located for many.

If you want a small race the Barrie Triathlon is about as small as it gets. Great first experience in an intimate setting. Couldn't ask for a flatter run or bike course. Last year it was Aug. 12, but the date for this year isn't on their website yet http://www.barrietri.com/

Woodstock is a great venue.

Guelph is very similar.

Milton has a tri-a-tri very early in the season if you want something short to get your feet wet (not a bad idea as you will likely learn more in your first event than any other). They also have a sprint length.

Welcome to the site. You'll love it.

Yeah, but you Timmins natives are so fortunate because you have the Shania Twain Centre.  Oh, wait, they're closing that down.

Thank Goodness for that!! I hope they blow it up, what a colossal waste of my municipal tax dollars!

I'm thrilled to have found this site and community online. I am in a similar boat as TNT but 1 year later. I was WAY out of shape (2 flights of stairs kicked my butt, 195 pounds for 5'8") and lost 30+ pounds and got into better shape and did the Orillia Try-a-Tri last year. I had a smile on my face the entire race, was the best experience.

I loved that race as a 1st race, the water was great - calm and easy to swim, the bike course was tough but not overwhelming and the run was flat. After some research I am planning on signing up for the Huronia Sprint (5 minutes from my in-laws cottage plus it sounds like a great event), the Orillia Try again (now that I know what I'm doing and have a proper bike I want to see how much I improve) and the Wasaga Olympic as an end of summer goal - I wish the Huronia and Wasaga events were flip flopped as it sounds like Wasaga would be a great Sprint and Huronia sounds like an incredible Olympic distance course.

I have to imagine you can't go wrong with a Try-a-Tri at any of the Ontario events as they all seem great, longer distances it might make sense to check out the course but most of all proximity to your home makes for the easiest day IMO...

Anyone have any thoughts on those events I listed? Also, anyone live in Vaughan/Maple and at a similar stage of new-bee-ness? Would love a training partner or two.