How long is the community pool? Is this like a "let's go swim" family-friendly pool inside a gated neighborhood? If so, it might not be the most conducive to training. If nothing else, it might not be long enough (25yards across). If it does have 25 yard/meter lanes, then go with that! Especially if you have free access to it (I have to pay $3-$5 per swim workout).

Should you join a gym and swim and bike there? For a sprint, you could easily train to finish it by doing spin classes, running on the treadmill, and swimming at the gym pool. If you are wanting to do the sprint just to try it out (no pun intended), then using gym equipment will get you to the finish. (But then what would you do for a bike?) A lot of people, for their first race, just ride on anything they can find. They do their first tri just to see if they like it, then they sink the money into a bike.

And speaking of bike, since you don't have one, I think arranging for one is your first priority. Borrow one, or it you live in an area with a good LBS, you can rent a good (really good) road bike for the day. And then if you get hooked, you can buy a bike. (But please don't ask, "What kind?" That question gets asked every week and has been answer ad nauseum in other discussion forums.) Good luck.

Has anyone ever heard of a person trying out a triathlon and then not getting addicted? I'm sure it happens, but its funny that I was going to give the exact same advice: Try to borrow a bike or buy one really cheap so you haven't invested a lot before you know you like it. It's the same thing I did, and pretty good advice for any situation where you can spend a lot of dough very quickly.

BUT everyone always seems to love tris! Maybe we should be telling them to go out and buy the nicest carbon rig they can get their paws on, because 2 years from now when they know enough about the sport they will be glad to have such a beautiful machine ;-)

I jest of course though, mostly because you need to spend some time in the sport before you know what to look for in a really quality bike. So until then, go for the cheap machine and understand that you won't be winning any races on it....but it will surely take you to the finish as long as you are willing to put in some work to train. Good luck to you!

I talked my brother out of getting the Wal-Mart bike, but I'm not sure if I have the energy to talk someone else out of it. If you change hobbies often and you expect to put 50 miles on the bike this year, 20 on it next year, then garage sale it for $10, go for the $150 Wal-Mart bike.

If you can afford getting a entry level bike, or a used one that fits, go for it. If not, rent one for the race, then get addicted and save up for one.

Time in the pool or lake really doesn't help your swim in the same way that time spent running or on a bike will help the other 2 events. The exception might be if you get swim instruction, and need time to work on correcting your form. My advice is to jump in the murky lake or community pool for workouts that get you comfortable in the water. Work hard if you can, but don't get stressed if you aren't able to get in long distance swims or quality speedwork in the water.

I ended up joining the gym and started swimming this morning. I was in better shape then i thought i was. I am going to look on craiglist for a bike. Thanks!!

I was a #1 then #2, if that makes sense. I finished my first and said, "Check, that's done, don't have to do that again." But now, I'm addicted. :) Did the first in 2005, then 2 so far this year, with 3 or 4 more planned this year. I'm definitely addicted. :)