Don't run away just yet. Triathlons are doable and fun. And as many who give it go will attest - it is addictive.
If you run regularly, ride to work or do spinning classes and are capable of swimming freestyle continuously in the pool, chances are you're fit enough to do a triathlon. If the thought of doing all 3 disciplines still scares you, find 2 other willing bodies to join you as a team. In fact, many workplaces enter triathlons as team to promote team bonding (some just like being competitive e.g. law firms).
There are quite a few newbie-friendly triathlons within an hours drive from Brisbane including the
Gatorade Enticer Tri Series and the
Bribie Active First Timers and Short Course Sprint Series .
Most people either train with a triathlon club and or coach or self-train before making the jump to do a triathlon.
There are many
tri clubs to choose from in Brisbane, depending how far you are willing to travel. If you're a runner but wary about your swimming/cycling skills or the other way around, training with a club and or coach is a good way of refining those skills before the big race. Plus you'll make some new triathlete friends to get tips from - definitely handy for a first tri.
If anything, you'll leave a triathlon with a proud sense of achievement of finishing not just a run, but a swim, a ride and a run. And it's not even 9am yet.