Spen Valley Greenway 10k

Well, following a long and detailed weather and fashion conference at No 26, I've just finally selected and put on my running stuff (grey vest, black shorts & pink sox & trainers today - I will NOT be cold once I get going!) and i'm setting off for the Greenway 10k in an hour with fellow competitor "speedy" Sam Boryslawsky and our spousal support crew. This title, i feel, covers all of the important duties which they are expected to perform - chauffeuring us to the event (obviously), photography, bellowing encouragement, post-race drinks, coat carrying, paying for anything we might need to buy, and administering hugs. The aforementioned duties to be lavished on us and any of our friends who aren't fortunate enough to have their own support crews of course! They are going to be busy :-)
It's now time to think about the race.... Despite feeling stiff in several "non-running" places since Sunday's marathon walk (backside, hip flexors and outside of lower calfs for some bizarre reason), I feel good now. Strong and fit. I've just had a banana and can of diet Red Bull, drunk loads of water today and have (I think) done all of the necessary physical preparation.
Mentally it's a different story. I started talking myself out of this race after Sunday's aches developed - "I'll just use it as training, I'll just wobble round and enjoy the scenery.....". WHY? It's a bloody race Salter, treat it as such.
OK, Sam's going for a PB, so, perhaps should I.... the course is slightly uphill on the first 3 miles and downhill on the last 3 - which I have done in training many times - 3 miles up a slight slope is easy with fresh legs, and 3 miles downhill is easy with tired legs. So easy, right. No problem.
I have also decided to leave my headphones & gps behind today too and just concentrate on going as fast as I can by focussing on my rhythm & pace rather than trying to distract myself from it!
I'm not competing against anyone else, I'm competing against myself. 57:43 to beat. Let's see what happens......