Striders Homebush 10k race

My first Striders race for a year and it was back out to Homebush on the same date and race I set my PB last year. Wouldn't be that this time.
Started off too quick doing 3:46 for the first K and really regretting that. I was sitting about 30m behind Professor for most of the race just trying to keep him in sight. I did manage to get to the 4k mark in 16:03 but after that the k's got progressively worse.
Finally caught Professor half way around the sandpit just before the 9k mark urging him to chase Jo Cowan. We both started to do so as we only had a k to go.
In the last k I overtook about half a dozen runners including 2 as I raced across the bridge.
Was just pipped by Mike F on the line, to end with 40:35.

Fastest 10k race in a year exactly and 1:20 faster than the 10k race 2 weeks ago, so I'm happy with that. I am a minute and a half behind last years pace at this stage so need to do a lot of work to do a good C2S time. As in to get near the sub 55min goal.