As far as races go check out https://kineticmultisports.com/ They are the biggest series in the area and plenty of races within easy drive from NoVA. There's the https://restontriathlon.org/ right in Reston. https://luraytriathlon.com/ is out in the 'country' and is a great race.

OWS locations are basically not available in the local area.

If your job is in Herndon then yes Reston is a logical living location. Looking further west into Loudoun county is good too--lots of good road riding out in that area.

I've never been a part of a club so really can't give any real insight. https://triteamz.com/ seems to be the big/social club at most of the local races.

Can’t help with everything but for races I can’t recommned enough the Kinetic Multisport events. Those guys put on great races all over the region. I’ve never done an OWS here so can’t speak much to that. I think down in DC there’s a supported OWS on weekends but don’t know if anything else. FEXY and DC tri club come to mind as large groups in the are but I’m not a member of either and can’t give a recommendation. I would recommend living on/near the W&OD bike trail in you’re gonna be in Herndon/Reston area. I do most my running and often bike commute on it.

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Kinetic Multisports puts on a good series of Sprint through Half distance races in the mid atlantic. I know that there is an organized open water swim at National Harbor in MD but don't know about anything over in the Reston/Herndon area. There is an annual event over there, McDonald (?) open water swim. They do it in a lake over there. I want to say that it is pretty early in the season. Go visit the folks at Transition Tri in Leesburg. Great store, really good people.

Wanted to add that another option I am considering is doing a triathalon road trip of sorts before I start working

I would do one of those 70.3 races and then I would travel for 4-5 weeks, mostly camp out so I am not burning money on hotel rooms and get to see a bunch of national parks and do a bunch of racing. Might not be optimal for performance but I think it would be a lot of fun to do that before I am working 40 hours a week so if there are any local races that you love to do in your area id love to hear about them. This road trip ideally would be in the western US, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Northern California.

Welcome to the area, it's absolutely fantastic living. Traffic can be a bit of a pain most of the time. Lots of breweries and wineries too!

So I live in Leesburg, about 20min from Herndon. I prefer Leesburg since its like the 'edge' of the city. Lots of more open country roads out of leesburg for riding. W&OD trail goes from Purcellville, Leesburg, Herndon, Reston, and all the way to Alexandria.
The Loco Parks dept is great for a gym/pool. One is in Sterling (Claude Moore Rec Center) which would be closest Loco center for you.I'm not familiar with Reston if you are living there. (wish I could go there but my Town of Leesburg rec center is more convenient for me)
Transition Tri is a great Tri shop in Leesburg, M3 Bike Shop in Vienna is great as well. VeloLabs in Herndon does indoor cycling classes.

OWS oppurtunities mostly come from Racine multisports. The lake is Ft.Ritche MD, should be 45min to 1hr away. They also do a swimfest twice a year which are fun. You could also try illegally swimming in the Reston Lake. I know a few who do it.
There is the Reston Tri, I know the new Race Director, Mary Ellen Wolf. She did a great job last year

Kinetic Multisports is the answer for any races in the area. Seriously well run operation. They basically have one every weekend within a 3ish hour drive. April 25 starts the 2020 season in Lake Anna, a 1:45 drive. Colonial Beach tri is another favorite of mine

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Yeah, totally forgot about the National Harbor swims!
https://www.nationalharbor.com/...open-water-swimming/

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I live in Reston & work in DC. The scene out here is fantastic, as others have mentioned. I'll add this: If you can get convenient, non-driving, access to the W&OD, you're gold. I often bike to/from work (21-ish miles one way) and climb some 15K feet round trip. Other times, I'll take the metro halfway into DC and run to work. A LOT of my training happens during commutes. Look into the W&OD! One of NOVA's best kept secrets.