Hal Higdon has some good training plans! http://www.halhigdon.com/

Sounds like a lot of fun! I also like Hal Higdon's training plans. They seemed to work with a busy schedule.

I just started running in late 2010 and in 2012 I completed over 18 races most were half marathons and one full (dont worry I said I would never run one either 2011 was the first, 2012 was the second, I am grounded from fulls at the moment due to a never ended concussion but halfs are good and a lot less work). I use Hal Higdon training program also but I modified them to fit my life. Running every 4-5 a week is not possible with working 60-80 hours a week. Dont forgot to add a day of strenght training (check to see if a local gym has classes so gyms have a punch card system so you only pay for the classes if you dont have a membership).
My advice would be focus on getting the miles in (either if you have to walk/run them just get the time on your feet in). Start slow don't go try and keep a 6-7 min pace (unless you can). You will have bad days, its normal. I can recall when I was running the Miami half I passed two or three elites (I am not fast) so I know they were having a BAD day (I just ran a full the week before so I was not pushing hard, no injuries allowed), it was so humid people were dropping. Anyway, dont worry if you have an off day it happens. Don't try anything new on race day: use your regular shoes, socks and drinks/gels. Watch the course drinks some are different formulas and they can bother some people during the race that stinks. I have trained a couple "newbies" for their first half and they all finished with good times, some the best yet (because I made them train not slack off). Race day is suppose to be fun so enjoy it. Remember your first goal is always to finish! I have ran the Diva's races before everything is PINK! I am running Philly half (my favorite course flat and fast) the same weekend but good luck and if you had questions feel free to ask.
-Andi
"Fighting blood cancers one mile at a time, Go Team!"

Make sure you have the right shoes. Take care to keep your IT bands stretched. And ave FUN

Add another supporter to the Hal Higdon programs. I ran my first half last year (along with a few shorter races including a few 5Ks, an 8K, a 10K, a 15K, and a 10 miler), and used his plans for anything longer than a 5K. Last year was my first year running any sort of distance, and I am completely surprised at how much I love it.

I had lots of bad runs, but I had lots of good runs. Don't feel bad about being slow (I'm super slow), just keep at it at your pace. Nothing wrong with that!

I will say this, nothing makes me feel more like a runner than missing those super-early Saturday wake-up calls to do my long runs.

I'm not training right now, and the sidewalks in my 'hood are too icy to really get outside, so I've been confined to a treadmill most days. I'm going stir crazy!

I am actually a big fan of Kara Goucher's Running Women Marathons. There are a lot of great training plans and tips from her throughout the book. I too am running my first half in September, but have used her plans for 10Ks and found them successful.

Good luck and have fun. If you are having a bad day, take it off. The key is to enjoy running enough to want to jump back in the ring the next day. Pushing yourself to run that bad day takes the enjoyment out.

I just ran (and loved) my first half last week. I used the Jeff Galloway training plan (18 week plan I think) which uses run/walk intervals. Since I was not going for any particular time, using run/walk intervals made it a lot more do-able and fun. I didn't even follow the plan very well -- my longest run was a couple months before the race and was only 10 miles. I still had a great time at the half and finished in under 3 hours.

His plan involves 3 runs a week, 2 shorter runs of 30-40 minutes and a longer weekend run, but the long run varies by week so you only do a really long run every other week. With the run/walk approach it's quit easy to do. Good luck and have fun with your training!