Triathlon?

One result of my back surgery is that I'll probably be cutting back on the miles and looking for softer surfaces to run on than the asphalt around where I live. It is of course disappointing to have to run less than I'd like, but I'm thinking that rather than focus on that I'd like to find a new challenge. So, I'm going to try a sprint triathlon. The training plans I've seen for a first-timer include just 2 days of running a week, so that should keep my orthopaedist happy. I've never biked much, nor have I spent large amounts of time in the pool, but I'm looking forward to trying. If anyone has made the move from running to triathlons and has any advice to offer, or if there's a triathlon book you'd recommend, I'd appreciate any input you could offer by posting a comment.