10k challenge

So I have all this off time in between the 25k training and the beginning of Marathon training.  What is my plan?  I am thinking about focusing on a little 10k racing.  I hate the 10k.  Its brutal.  You go as fast as you can and it takes forever.  My goal is to I find the secret to developing grit in the next couple of months.  I lack it, and it needs to be tapped.  I am going to sign up for my local 10k challenge and run a 10k  a week until I start my serious marathon cycle.  I know how to work hard, but now I need to learn how to grow some balls and run fast.