first tri done...how much time off before train for next?

This depends on your level of fitness.

After a sprint tri, I start training again right away.  But I use sprint tris as just training tools.  Some people race them hard though.  If you raced it hard, then maybe a couple of days.  See how you feel?  I have learned in this sport that one has to learn their body.

Don't know if that helps.

Congratulations on completing your first tri.

dbw27

for me, normal training resumes 3-12 hours after the race, and i race them HARD>

it totally depends on your fitness levels and goals.

So far I've only done sprint tris but I usually give them my full effort. I usually end up taking a day off afterwards and my first session back may well be at a lower intensity. It all depends on what my body is telling me.

The common rule is take one day off for each hour of the race. A sprint, take the next day off and start up again the day after.

I did a 2nd sprint tri two weeks after my first (and my first one was pretty long as sprints go:  1/2 mi swim, 18 mi bike, 4 mi run).  And I won my age group in the second one.  So I'm a little biased against overbudgeting recovery time for sprint tri's.  Even so, I don't think I've ever jumped back into full training mode the very next day...usually I take at least one recovery day where I'll do nothing more than maybe a walk.  Sometimes it's two days:  A full rest day, then a walk day to ease back into full range of motion.  Depending on how you trained and your overall fitness (and whether you tapered for the race), you could be back to regular training in well under a week.  If you were undertrained for the race, though, could be more than a week.  Doesn't sound like it from your description.

As far as picking up a training plan, that I won't comment on since I generally don't use a structured plan. 

If I felt tired, I'd either take the day off after, or just do a swim workout the day after to rest the legs and back to normal.

Congrats on your first finish Ann Marie!! You looked great out there.

In my opinion take today off and see how you feel on Monday. If still sore take another day then do a couple easy days before you get back into it. You'll be set for your next race in 6 weeks.