Hey Marci, I'm a fellow runner ... and from Ontario (not California) too!
Yes, you can definitely run either a half or a full with a year's worth of training. By the way, are you familiar with Running Rooms? There's a great general training book by John Stanton called "Running Start to Finish" ... which you can pick up there. The RR also has clinics, at varying levels, training for various distances (for a fee) plus weekly runs (free) which can keep you on track when you're training. I'm sure one of their clinics would be tailored to lead you through right up to your goal race/run.
Many training programs are 18 weeks, so depending on your base mileage, you can follow training program of choice (whether 5k, 10k, half mara or full!) If you're looking into 2011, you have lots of time to be prepared! The book "Running Start to Finish" has many different training programs, in chart form, for varying distances and time goals.
And (a caveat) ... as you likely already know, be prepared to get addicted. I started running for 'fun' and now there are over 30 half marathons and several full marathons behind me... can't stop running!
Good luck! And if you have any questions, you can always PM me... I'm part of a great online running community/forum I can steer you to, if you're interested. (You can get lots of great info there too... if interested
)
You know that you can do whatever you set your mind to!
~ Susan