Training for a Triathlon

So, I've been running for the past 6 years, but I've never really been a "runner" -- until now. It started with the idea of going to Hawaii for a marathon/vacation and every other year until we had kids we would pick some great place to run a marathon.

After running 3 marathons (spanning 5 years) I decided my favorite distance is 13.1 miles. When I was pregnant with Colette I decided to have a "comeback" run and I did accomplish this plus one extra in May and June of this year. Since those races, I've been training for a mini triathlon and believe me -- I'm not sure I know what I'm in for.

Last night I joined the Pulse Y Not Tri Training Group for practice. We did a bike/run combo aka BRICK. Let me just say today I can't breathe without feeling it all the way up my back and in my shoulder blades (which I really didn't know could hurt so bad). I say all this because not only is this race in a few weeks (and I'm barely able to catch my breath on the swim), but I also just signed up for the Fit for Life 1/2 marathon in two days. Deep down I'm proud of myself, but on the surface,I'm thinking WTF?!