What to do? Sprint Tri or Olympic Aqua Velo??

I have been out of commission for over a year..suffer from plantar fasciitis and shin splints which both still flare up at times.  I have completed several sprint distance races as well as participated as part of relay teams.  Unfortunately, the last time I raced was July 2011 and even that was just a sprint swim as part of a relay. After sitting out and volunteering at the NJ State last year,  I am ready to get back to training and racing...well more like just completing...but regardless, now is the time for me to register for the race (CGI NJ State Tri).

I was planning to do the sprint distance all by myself this year  - no relay. I love swimming and enjoy biking.  I seriously struggle with the run and usually end up more walking/shuffling and taking close to an hour to do the 5K.  Makes for a long, hot race and normally puts me out on the course all alone and at the very back of the pack.  But, it is a distance race that I have done before and know that I could do it again.  My plan for this year was to treat it like it was my first race again and just enjoy it but not sure I can really do that.  Having done it before I probably will end up still comparing it to the first 2 times I did the entire race.

I learned today that CGI is offering a Aqua Velo for the Olympic Distance race and I am intrigued. I did a sprint Aqua Velo a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it,especially the not having to run part.  

Here's my dilemma.   I know that I can finish a sprint distance triathlon with the proper training. While I have never competed at the Olympic distance, when I was seriously training I was able to swim 1500m+  do it at a decent pace.  I don't doubt that I can get there again.

I am pretty sure that time on the bike (on the trainer in the winter and outside once the weather gets nice) will get me to the 26 miles I need for the bike distance.    I guess the distance seems so far compared to the sprint distances which is what makes me hesitate.  Do I go with what I know and pretend it is my first race again or do I challenge myself with a new distance and a completely different race?   On the upside, if I don't have to focus on the run training, I could spend more time in the pool and on the bike and won't aggravate the shins and heels all that much.

What do I do?????  Any words of wisdom or advice?  Anyone know if the custom plans on here would allow me to do a aquavelo training plan?  If not,  any suggestions where I could look?

Thanks and really looking forward to getting back to training for a race!