Tue 8/28 - PM 60 minutes incl. Lowell 5k in 15:56

Last one of the summer on this course, mile splits of 5:01, 5:08 and 5:19. Ran the last .1 in a blazing 28 seconds (typically it's just over 30) as I actually sprinted it this time to slip under the magical 16 minute barrier. Went into this effort with diminished expectations after an insomniac episode last night brought on by a whiff of a pesticide-like smell just as I was drifting off to sleep last night. Like they were running mosquito sprayers in the street or something, whatever it was it left me wide awake for hours. 3 hours of sleep before a day at work and no chance to take a nap either with a meeting after that. Feeling predictably flat while warming up, but once the race started I got into a sustainable rhythm and maintained it. As relaxed as any of these Tuesday night races has felt. Didn't feel overextended the third mile like I did last week. Hopefully this is evidence of increased fitness. It may be the shoes. Favorable conditions once again, not as cool as last week but dry and only a mild breeze.