Hi vcwoodie!

Glad to hear you managed to complete the C2K5 running plan. There are many people that dropped out of it. So you should be very proud of yourself. You shouldn't worry about your slowness.  Now that you are able to run 3 times a week over 35 minutes each, you've built up your endurance. You can start working on your speed.
Do intervals, fartlek or tempo running(if you don't know these, google them).

Since you say you get nervous because you are no longer being coached, why not search the net for some other programs? I'm sure there are many of em, maybe try some 10K plan(keep in mind though, if the first week of that plan is way easier than your current running, skip the first weeks).
Also, you shouldn't care what other people think of you. Heck, you don't even know what they think! Most of the runners are good mannered people, they know it's harder to run for people with no-so-fit body. Trust me, most of em don't even think about other runners when running. Even if they do, it's just for few seconds then everything passes by.
You can also try going to a not so populated gym or go in times when there are less people(same goes for running outdoors).

As for running at dawn, there are 2 solutions. Don't run at dawn or change the place where you run.
Race day nervousness... everyone has it, even top athletes Try not to think much about it and you'll do fine.

Hi VC.

Don't worry about this stuff.

Everyone out there is in one state of fitness or another.  Everyone working on his or her own progress or just enjoying being in the race.

I am about as slow as they get.  But, after I cross that finish line, I'm just another runner standing around drinking water and eating bagels and bananas.  Just like everyone else.

After the race, I feel a sense of comraderie with these other runners.  We have all just pushed ourselves to the limit and experienced a challenge together.  Now there is a sort of kinship amongst everyone. (not to mention a good runner's high).  That's why you see other runners cheering for people who finish later in the race.  You feel connected in a sense.  I also think it's the general exhilaration of watching someone push themselves to the max that makes us want to cheer.  The excitement of watching a personal achievement in someone's life right before our very eyes.

How often in your daily experience to you get to see someone pushing themselves to the limit and giving every ounce of energy to reach a goal?  It's something pretty impressive and really something special to witness.  (NOTE: YOU WILL BE ONE OF THESE IMPRESSIVE PEOPLE ON RACE DAY).

So, don't worry about all of the distractions.  Just go out, put some good tunes on your Ipod, relax and enjoy the people around you.  Take in the whole experience.

Sounds to me like you're already prepared to knock this one out if your doing 35 minutes 3 times per week.

Good Luck!  You'll do fine.