Working up to 6.2

I've been following Jim Galloway's 10K training plan, as I posted last time. I liked it because it was a lighter schedule than other training plans I saw, but I did worry that it wouldn't be enough training.

During the week I have two shorter runs. This week they are supposed to be 30-45 minutes long. I've been doing about 40+ minutes in and around my neighborhood, just exploring new streets and then finding my way back home. I don't always know how far I've gone, but I think I'm doing about a 10-minute mile pace.

On the weekend I have one long run. This last week it was, for the first time, five miles. I've been using the wonderful W&OD trail for these slightly longer runs. On Saturday I parked in my usual spot, about 2.5 miles in (those mile markers sure are handy), and ran out-and-back to the beginning of the trail. It was a less woodsy, less scenic part of the trail -- much of it along Four Mile Run -- and perhaps for that reason was a little less crowded. But I mostly ignored the scenery and tried to pick up the pace a bit. I kept up about a 9:30-minute mile for most of the course, which made me very happy!

I'm also really good at my one rest day each week.

If there's any part of the plan I'm having trouble with, it's the "cross training" days. For three days I'm supposed to be walking, cycling, doing aerobics, or something. Sometimes I end up walking a little (usually with my son in the stroller) but most days I do nothing at all. I need to come up with a concrete plan so I can make the most of those days in the five weeks before the race.