Hi Meg.  Good luck on the Oct. race.  We have a lot of 10Ks, but getting there, from the 5Ks that I am use to, is the goal for me.   I'm, well, old and slow   , but getting faster,  and speed is another goal for me.  I am trying to do little sprints each time I am out..  I run 3 or 4 times a week.   In a way, my goals conflict.  I have my eye on an 8K on the 27th of this month.  DD1 usually runs with me, and may agree to it too.   I like your idea of nothing less than a 3 Mile run.  Hum, maybe I could do that too.   Woods Lady