NROL and training for half-marathon at the same time--bad idea?

So I have been doing NROLW for a couple of months now--I just finished Stage 2.  I like it--I can tell I'm getting stronger and plan to complete the other stages.  However, I have recently been toying with the idea of doing a half-marathon (there's one in the spring in my town).  It's still like 5 months away, but I haven't done much distance running in, like, 7 years.  (Lately I do a little step aerobics and biking on the days I don't lift, not running).  So, I would want to take plenty of time to work up to the half-marathon since it's been a while (and I've never run more than 8 miles anyway, even 7 years ago).

Anyways, the problem is, I have read that doing lots of steady-state cardio can be counter-productive to one's weight lifting efforts.  I would like to do NROLW, say 2X a week, and then run 3-4X a week also, building up mileage until I'm running longer distances.  But will that be counter-productive?  Will all that running just cause my body to metabolize muscle tissue?  My main goals are, in this order:

1.  Attain a healthy weight (right now I'm 173, 5'4" and would like to get down to 145 or lower)

2.  Keep my muscles in the process.  I want to be strong and healthy at my goal weight, not just thinner.

3.  Run the half-marathon.  It's just something that I would like to prove to myself I can do.

Soo...should I do both programs at once?  Or put aside NROLW for the 12 weeks before the race while I train for it, then pick it up again after?  Or just forget about the race because it wouldn't be productive, especially for goal #2?

What do you experts think?

First off, I'm no expert.... but I do play one on TV the internet. :)

Well, from what I understand, you can do both programs, and probably stay healthy and still lose weight.  But I think you are right that all the cardio may interfere a bit with your strength gains, and you may lose a bit of muscle.

I don't think it will be a big problem though.  Think about it.  The steady state cardio burns calories and that can help with weight loss.  Also, you want to run this race, so it's one of your goals.

If you continue with the weight lifting, it will help to minimize the muscle loss.   You may not keep *all* your muscle, but as long as you are lifting heavy you're not going to turn into a weak flabby skinny-fat cardiobunny. 

So in short.  If you want to do the race do it.  If you want to stay strong keep lifting the weights while you are training for the race.