I don't mean to take anything away from the original poster's accomplishment, but what is your 10 hour "average time" number based on?
From the trip reports I've read, I'd say anything less than 7 hrs is a fast time & 5 or less is rare/exceptional, especially for a first-timer.
I have a book ("One Best Hike: Mt. Whitney") that says most first-timers will take somewhere between 9 & 11 hours, IIRC.
I'm hoping that'll I be able to do it in less than 7 someday
