Nice race MuddyGirl and can relate to that experience of enjoying a fun race when in great form.
I ran a 10K myself yesterday and was satisfied with a 55+ AG win and a time of 36:31. Definitely slower than a couple years ago when racing in cooler weather. It was about 72F at start and I just cruised and didn't push it. A Kenyan and two Thais as well as myself jumped out ahead everybody else and then they dropped me easily. My heart rate and effort were higher the first 5k and my splits were even. Honestly, 36 minutes might be my new 35 but I'm OK with this adjustment. To drop under 35 again I would need to drop 8 lbs and run much more than the 20 miles a week I've been running which I don't see happening.
My current regimen of long treadmill walks at steep inclines while watching videos and running hard once or twice a week on the roads is producing satisfactory results. I love running and mixing with other people but it is no longer a top 3 priority. Have a marathon in a month and don't plan on training for it. I will do OK but probably won't win the 55+ because another Thai runner (58y) will be around 2:43 and that isn't where I'm at the moment. The over 50 here is stacked with runners under 2:50 and I don't know if I can even be in the mix.