Yeah. Keep doing what you're doing.

If I remember right, you've only been at this for a year or so. If you stay consistent and keep working, you'll keep improving for years to come. As you've learned, making progress in running is a long-term endeavor with peaks and valleys. If you keep at it, you'll look back at this 5k just like you look back now at those runs a year ago...it's only in that sense that you are scratching the surface.

Congrats Eddy, your progress in both weight loss and speed has been great to follow. In another thread you compared your progress to another new runner, and my comment was something along the lines of "you don't seem to realize how exceptional your performance has been..." Exceptional indeed, it's nothing short of amazing in my book.

The only potential drawbacks to a real 5K are going out too fast, or congestion at the start. The upside is significant. You'll have the excitement (never underestimate adrenaline), competition (I can reel that guy/gal in...) and an honest to God finish line to kick to. I'm betting you get your new goal, keep doing what you're doing.

That is awesome, you definitely should improve a lot over the next couple years. I may have to try out some low heart rate training since I continuously train myself to the ground.

One thing of advice I have for you is be careful when doing workouts 2-3 days in a row. Try to give yourself 1-3 days of low heart rate training in between workouts. It may be fine now but if you continue not to give yourself enough recovery it will take its toll on you in a couple months. I've done this quite a few times myself and it really sucks.

Congratulations, though. It is really exciting to see your improvement. I'll hopefully be going for a sub 18 5k here not to far from now. What kind of training are you planning on doing now?