Half marathon training plan for beginners? (Page 2)

Local running stores or even your health club (Lifetime Fitness has a running group)...

By the way, I completely understand that some people are more motivated with a more structured/detailed plan.  Some people prefer to have a 'loose' plan and that works for them. Others want some more details. I personally belong to the latter camp. For example, I like having my BT training plan and it provides me extra motivation accomplishing the plan.

You don't need to follow a race plan for a race you don't intend to do. Your goal is to build mileage. You said you could run 3 miles 3 times a week. Let's start there. Here's the plan. Run every other day. All the running should be done at an easy conversational pace. The goal is to build a solid base, speed will come in another phase.

Week 1 - Tue-3, Thur-3, Sat-3
Week 2 - Mon-3, Wed-3, Fri-3, Sun-3
Week 3 - Tue-3, Thur-3, Sat-3
Week 4 - Mon-3, Wed-3, Fri-3, Sun-3

OK, now you've done 12 miles/week twice, if you're feeling good let's bump it up. If not, repeat this 4 week cycle again.

Week 5 - Tue-4, Thur-4, Sat-4
Week 6 - Mon-3, Wed-3, Fri-3, Sun-3
Week 7 - Tue-4, Thur-4, Sat-4
Week 8 - Mon-3, Wed-3, Fri-3, Sun-3

Now, you're maintaining 12 miles/week. Let's bump again.

Week 9 - Tue-4, Thur-4, Sat-4
Week 10 - Mon-4, Wed-4, Fri-4, Sun-4
Week 11 - Tue-4, Thur-4, Sat-4
Week 12 - Mon-4, Wed-4, Fri-4, Sun-4

Now, you've done 16 twice and have been consistantly running for 3 months. Let's bump again.

Week 13 - Tue-5, Thur-5, Sat-5
Week 14 - Mon-4, Wed-4, Fri-4, Sun-4
Week 15 - Tue-5, Thur-5, Sat-5
Week 16 - Mon-4, Wed-4, Fri-4, Sun-4

Now you're maintaining 15+, Let's bump again

Week 17 - Tue-5, Thur-5, Sat-5
Week 18 - Mon-5, Wed-5, Fri-5, Sun-5
Week 19- Tue-5, Thur-5, Sat-5
Week 20 - Mon-5, Wed-5, Fri-5, Sun-5

Now you've made it to your goal of 20 miles/week. By now you should feel comfortable running consistantly. Let's add another day.

Week 21 - Mon-4, Wed-4, Fri-4, Sat-4, Sun-4
Week 22 - Mon-4, Wed-4, Fri-4, Sat-4, Sun-4

Now let's add some variety

Week 23 - Mon-3.5, Wed-4, Fri-5, Sat-3.5, Sun-6
Week 24 - Mon-3.5, Wed-4, Fri-5, Sat-3.5, Sun-6

Now you'll have been consistently running 20 miles/week. At this point you should be able to start a race specific plan that will include items like hills, fartleks, tempo runs, and intervals. There are many good plans to choose from depending on your goal race.

If at any point during the base building you want to throw in a 5K or 10K race, simply substitute the race for that days normal run.

There is no magic to base building, and it can take a fair amount of time. Several years ago I set out to do something very similar and over the course of several years built up to maintaining about 60 miles/week. Kind of amazing to think a staunch running hater like me would ever run that much. The plan above is very simple, but it will work for your stated goal. The consistant running will also help develop mental stamina. There are going to be plenty of times when you don't feel like running, but in order to check off the workout you have to do it. Very often on those days the hardest part is just taking the first few steps. Once you get going it will feel better.

BTW, the distances are not set in stone. For example: If your route is 3.85 or 4.15 instead of exactly 4, use that. Almost none of the running I do is exact distances.

Follow the plan and in 6 months you can be a better runner. Have fun!

I'd second the runnersworld.com smartcoach suggestion- you put in your current mileage, number of weeks before race, etc.  easy to get a schedule and adjust the long runs for your needs.