So you want to be a triathlete?

* Become a member. Joining a triathlon club or training team is a great way to begin.

“You can have tons of questions answered because it’s made up of people who have done triathlons,” says Ian Murray, head coach of the Los Angeles Tri Club. “There’s something about the triathlon community, especially in the club environment. People are excited and passionate.”

Beverly Atkins joined Team in Training when she started out in triathlon races about five years ago, and the 41-year-old amateur credits the group with helping her get started in the sport. She had run a marathon and become bored with just running. “You’re with a group of people who are scared and new too. Everybody has the same dumb questions. There are so many little intricacies about the sport, like do you wear a sports bra under your wet suit when you swim? You do.”

* Watch first. If you’re not sure a triathlon is for you or the whole notion of a race is intimidating, “it’s a great idea to check one out,” says Los Angeles-based triathlon coach Paul Ruggiero “You’ll see fast people and people just getting through the race, and that will lessen the intimidation factor. You’ll think, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’ ”

* Practice full disclosure. Let your family and friends know what to expect. “Tell them that you’re going to do an event and that life is going to be a little different,” says Ruggiero. “Whatever it is, be out front and open about it. And then the training will blend into your life.”

* Just sign on the dotted line. “I had self-doubts and told myself I probably couldn’t do it,” says Larry Davidson, a 51-year-old amateur triathlete from Dana Point, of his first venture into triathlon racing after years of running and doing marathons. “I could probably handle the bike portion, but in swimming I’d probably drown. So I signed up for a race, and having that race in front of me, months out, helped. Just sign up. It’s going to motivate you to start training.”

* Consider an intermediate goal such as a 10K run or a 50-mile bike race. A less ambitious event is terrific preparation, boosting confidence and highlighting potential weaknesses.

* Prevent surprises. Research a race course as much as you can ahead of time, advises Murray, learning the terrain and grades for the run and bike portions and possible weather conditions. “Find out everything you can. Generally race websites are good about listing course typography and description, where aid will be available and what will be available -- water or some type of sports drink. You want to know it all.”