My sister's friend is training for a half-marathon in February. She wants my sister and me to do it too. So my sister drove up my driveway the other day, called me on my cell phone, and beckoned me to her car window where she handed me this Hal Higdon 12-week training plan intended to prep me for conquering 13 miles, all in one shot. This is the same me who has only ever run as many as five miles at one time. My long runs lately are three miles. Hal's training schedule features three miles as a short run. I'm not sure about all of this. Either is my sister.

Runner's World calls the half-marathon the hottest race distance out there, perfect for newer racers like me who have maybe finished a few 5K or 10 K events (I've run three 5Ks, doing another on October 4). The half offers a worthy-yet-doable challenge without the training and racing grind of the marathon, say the running experts.

Doable. Sure it's doable. I have enough confidence in my abilities to know I can complete a half-marathon if I really set my mind to it. But do I want to? That's the question. Do I want to train harder than I do now to maintain my average level of fitness? Do I want to put a squeeze on my work and family schedule? Do I want to accomplish a physical feat I've never before attempted. Lots to think about. Gotta give Hal's program some thought -- and this Runner's World plan too (a nine-week commitment). Then, I guess I'll make the call.

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On October 4, I plan to run in my fourth Making Strikes Against Breast Cancer event. Most people walk this 5K course, but I like to run it. I'm no marathon girl, but 3.2 miles I can do. How about you?

If you're not quite skilled at the 5K but want to take your run a bit farther, check out this site, c25k.com. It's the couch-to-5K running program, and this week-by-week plan is sure to get you up and running in no time. Here, you can chat with other runners, even download podcasts to help you train.

Maybe you're beyond the 5K and wish for something more like 26 miles. Marathontraining.com has what you need: a mileage buildup schedule, information on injury prevention, and motivation strategies.

Combine the two -- the 5K and the marathon -- and you've got halhigdon.com. Here, Hal Higdon, author of Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide, coaches novices and road warriors alike.