From the Sidelines to the Starting Line: How I Became a Triathlete

I often get asked the question, “Why would you want to do triathlons?”

To some people, it probably seems like a crazy midlife crisis. To me, though, it feels like it’s in my blood.

I grew up watching several of my aunts and uncles compete in Ironman triathlons. When I was younger, I thought they were absolutely crazy. Now that I’m an adult, I realize they are fucking superheroes!

When my aunts and uncles came from the United States to visit us in Port Bruce during the summer, they always arrived with bikes attached to their vehicles and fancy running shoes in tow. They would head out for hours at a time, biking hills and then going for a run afterward.

Watching them train seemed completely normal to me as a child. I didn’t understand how much determination, persistence, courage, and commitment it took. Now that I’ve started my own journey as a triathlete, I’m beginning to catch small glimpses of the sacrifices they made over the years to become such strong athletes.

I’m also learning how difficult it can be to balance training with having a social life, being present for my family, working, and managing everything else life throws my way. Every day, I train to become a little stronger, a little more confident, and a little more badass.

I never grew up dreaming that I would become someone who competed in triathlons and willingly put herself through all of this craziness. But maybe, just maybe, part of me always wanted to do it. I simply didn’t believe that I could.

It wasn’t until after my weight-loss surgery, when I started running, that I thought to myself, “You know what? I could probably go out and crush an Ironman.”

Hahaha!

I still laugh when I think about it because my aunts basically responded with, “Oh, honey. Dream big, but start small.”

My kickass Aunt Laura, who regularly wins her Ironman age group and is still taking on the Ironman World Championship in Kona at 70 years old like a freaking boss, suggested that I begin with a few sprint triathlons.

So, I researched those babies, found a few close to home, and registered for one in October. I thought I was golden.

There was just one small problem.

I didn’t have a bike, and I hadn’t swum competitively since high school.

First up: find a bike.

I searched Facebook Marketplace and found a very basic entry-level bike. My amazing dad offered to pay for it, so we picked it up for $250. It even came with a helmet and lights. Fancy!

I started training on that bad boy and quickly learned that everyone who says riding a bike is easy is lying.

Longer bike rides also leave you sitting alone with your thoughts for a very long time, which can become somewhat boring. I trained outside for a while, and then winter arrived. I moved indoors onto my exercise bike, which felt very different, but it still got my legs moving in the way I needed.

All the while, I continued running. I got in a few kilometres whenever I could and worked on improving my time.

On New Year’s Eve, we signed up for a five-kilometre race on Belle Isle in Michigan with my aunts Judy and Karen. We stayed with my Aunt Judy and Uncle Graham, where we had the chance to catch up, talk about my triathlon journey, and play with their ridiculously adorable guide dog in training, Thunder.

During that visit, they gifted me a beautiful road bike that was truly triathlon-worthy. It had previously belonged to Judy, and I now call her Ophelia.

She is an absolute beauty. She helps me go fast while looking cute at the same time.

People often use the phrase, “It’s just like riding a bike,” but that statement is both untrue and stupid. Riding a bike again after many years is not easy.

And do not even get me started on bike clips, cleats, and cycling shoes.

Using those requires a very large part of my brain, and I’m only now starting to feel comfortable with them. There has definitely been a learning curve!

Thanks to my dad, I have a bike that I can use indoors on a trainer. Thanks to Aunt Judy and Uncle Graham, I have a road bike that I can train and race with outside.

I am one very blessed woman to have people in my life who have helped make this incredibly expensive hobby a little easier.

I was running and biking, but what about swimming?

It was time to get into the Tillsonburg pool and swim some laps.

It was much harder than I expected.

I immediately forgot how to breathe while swimming. Thankfully, my stroke still felt good. I listened to podcasts, watched instructional videos and reels, and slowly reminded myself how to breathe properly in the water.

My next attempt in the pool went much better.

Then came brick workouts.

A brick workout involves completing one discipline immediately after another, such as biking and then transitioning directly into running. I practised this several times, running on extremely wobbly legs until my body slowly became stronger and more comfortable with the transition.

Eventually, it was time to complete my own test triathlon.

I swam in the pool, climbed onto the bike Dave had waiting for me, and then immediately headed out for a run while he met me at the next checkpoint.

I was incredibly proud that I completed the entire cycle. That practice run gave me so much more confidence heading into my first sprint triathlon at the end of June.

On June 28, 2026, I completed my first sprint triathlon.

The race included a 750-metre open-water swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride, and a five-kilometre run. I finished in one hour and 49 minutes, placing 11th in my age group.

I knew I could have pushed a little harder during both the bike and the run, but overall, I was so happy with my time and my progress.

When I crossed the finish line, all of the emotions came pouring out.

I had spent nine months training for that moment. I challenged myself daily and sacrificed so many things to prepare my mind and body for the race.

I cried a little, but they were happy tears.

Seeing my mom, my husband, and my stepdad cheering for me throughout the race and waiting at the finish line made every difficult training session worth it.

I was incredibly thankful to have completed the race—and almost immediately, I couldn’t wait to do another one!

Now, I’m waiting for August 9, when I’ll complete my second sprint triathlon. This time, I won’t be racing alone. My husband will be competing alongside me.

I’m so proud of him for biking, running, and even swimming with me, even though he is fairly certain the swim might kill him.

He also said yes when I registered him—or, more accurately, he didn’t say no!

Stay tuned to find out how a husband-and-wife team handles sprint triathlon day. I have a feeling that adventure will become an entirely separate and very entertaining blog post.

So, there you have it, folks.

That is how and why I chose to become a badass triathlete—and how I plan to continue earning that title.

It began with watching my family be a bunch of badasses. Now, I have the privilege of carrying on that family legacy.

Watch out, friends.

Ironman is calling my name, and one day, I’ll be ready.

Jackalynn Westman

Water Lilly Holistic Healing