The rigorous schedule...

Hal Higdon is the marathon guru, and has a great schedule to follow.
Here is that link: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

And now, here is my version of getting us through this half marathon!

I am planning on running 3X a week, and then doing some cross training 2X a week. You can adjust that to whatever your schedule will accommodate (more or less). However, I would make sure you are running at least 3X a week. Starting May 4, we have 16 weeks to race day. Each week, choose a distance for 2 short runs and then try to make the distance of the long runs. And, please call to chat if you have any questions. (Or, you could always call someone who actually knows what they’re doing).

Wk 1 long run: 4 miles
Wk 2 long run: 4 miles
Wk 3 long run: 5 miles
Wk 4 long run: 5 miles
Wk 5 long run: 6 miles
Wk 6 long run: 6 miles
Wk 7 long run: 7 miles
Wk 8 long run: 7 miles
Wk 9 long run: there is an extra week in this schedule, so it gives you room to miss a week for vacations
Wk 10 long run: 7 miles
Wk 11 long run: 8 miles
Wk 12 long run: 9 miles
Wk 13 long run: 10 miles
Wk 14 long run: 8 miles
Wk 15 long run: 10-12 miles
Wk 16 is race week! Do short runs and rest this week, and on Saturday we’ll be ready!

There is a lot of repetition to this schedule. So, if you don’t want to start right yet or you aren’t quite up to 4 miles, just adjust appropriately.