I’m glad to hear of your experience, Cubsfan, after coming across your thread. I’m with **John Mace **on what you accomplished.
I am one of the least competitive people I know. I acknowledge that my running times are slower than molasses, and it doesn’t bother me a bit. Who knows? If I kick ass (which I would define for myself as enjoying training and finishing without injury) at the sprint event in May, the one in June has an Olympic distance in addition to the sprint.
I use “Pain is temporary, but your finish time posted on the internet is forever” as a motivator. 
QFT.
Some stuff I learned:
Practice your transitions. What’s it like to bike in a wet swimsuit? How do I put socks on when my feet are wet and have grass sticking to them? These are questions I didn’t even know I would have until I tried doing some transitions. Bring towels.
Practice the swimming that you will be doing in the event. Open water is very different from pool swimming. The one event I did that had a pool swim involved a lot of people in the lane and ducking under the ropes at each end. It was a big surprise I wasn’t ready for. Remember that swimming can be very tiring so when you start the bike you will have less energy than you are used to. In open water, pick someone ahead of you and just follow them so you don’t have to look up all the time.
Worry about your time the second or third tri. The first time is to see how the event works, how your equipment feels and to gauge how you feel at the end. And if you go slow enough you can really improve the second time 
Regarding swimming - practice breathing on both sides, so every third stroke - you’ll thank me during the open water when the waves are coming in on your right side that you can breathe on the left!
Brush up a little on the rules/regs. I’m a Level two official (boo hiss!) and although we are usually pretty understanding about some things, it’s better you don’t test some rules - for example buckle your helmet chin strap before you touch your bike and keep that sucker done up until you rack your bike. Seriously.
When you work on your running the biggest difference is getting used to running on tired/wobbly legs.
Consider joining a triathlon training group. Find one which is appropriate for your level. Some groups will be focused on top athletes training for Ironman, others will be more for beginners or casual people. A training group will have you training as a group doing open-water swims, biking, and running so you get a feel for what it’s like. And they’ll be able to answer all your questions.
I’ve seen athletes using all kinds of bikes. If you’re not concerned with being competitive, then any bike will do.
I found out there is a masters swim group that meets at the Y natatorium, so I’m going to check that out.
So, how’s everyone’s training? I’m officially signed up for my June event. I swam for 20 minutes today, followed by a 1.5 mile run. Not amazing, but hey. It’s a crappy day out, and I was just excited I made it to the gym.
Also, spin class is the best training ever. Especially this time of year when it’s too icy to bike outside. Bring earplugs.
I haven’t started swimming yet. I did a 10-mile bike ride today.
I have to tell you my running group experience. “Join a running group,” they said. “It will be good for training,” they said. So I went to the running group at my local running store. (They are co-sponsoring with the local bike store a triathlon in May.) I was the only first-timer there, and much was assumed – like “Everyone knows the route.” I was by far and away the slowest runner there, and it did not take long before I had been outpaced by everyone else, and then I lost sight of everyone else and had no idea which way they had gone! (This was a group that had been sold to me as “We expect runners of all ages and paces!”)
So how can I get something out of this running group? Should I push myself to try to keep up and then poop out whenever I poop out? Recruit another slow runner?
See if there’s another group locally. My running club always had(on a rotating basis) someone assigned to stay with any newbies and show them the route(s).
They absolutely should not have left you behind like that.
I would recommend signing up for a coached training program. Any sort of Saturday morning running group will likely be made of seasoned runners. Try to find a group training program where there is a coach who comes up with lesson plans. Ask around to find one which is beginner friendly. Those will likely have runners more at your pace.
I’m trying CrossFit Endurance, it’s a way to combine CrossFit and Endurance training. Fingers crossed.