I guess what I'm learning here is that you just don't jump on your "10 speed" and sign up for a race like you would do for a 5K. I'm reading "The Roadie" right now. Although I have no desire to be a "roadie" I would like to get to the point where I could hang with the pack on a Cat IV/V crit or road race. Just like I have no desire to run a 15 minute 5K...but it's fun to finish in the top 25% of the age bracket. Sounds like staying with the pack takes a bit more training and race knowledge than simply running a 5K fun run.