Midweek longish runs

I felt quite dejected yesterday after being talked into my run... so much so, that I didn't appreciate the motivation others were shoving my way until today when I read in Running Fitness magazine that this period in marathon training is the hardest to get through. You're tired because the mileage is building up and the race seems a long way off. That's pretty much how I felt.
Today I was genuinely glad I had done it, and I had stuck to the run being of the speedwork variety... which was probably originally the reason I was looking for the get-out clause!

Today was a scheduled 11 miles, and much to my surprise I was "up for it" and actually looking forward to it. I started off really slowly (I'm learning this is one of the most important ways to a good run) and after a mile stuck with 150bpm (or thereabouts). I find I'm getting faster at this HR now... not by much, but a bit faster. I'm also finding that the higher mileages are making me feel more comfortable at certain paces and distances.
I'm never going to be a 3.30 marathoner... and to be honest, speedy times are not my main objective. I would love to just be in that "Average" category... you know the sort... "The average finishing time for people participating in the London Marathon 2009 was 4:41"... that would do me nicely!
I've also learnt something else over the last 2 weeks. Midweek running of the medium-long type of distance requires that you take water and gels with you. Today, the first 9 miles were pretty comfortable and the last 2 were pretty awful. I got back and felt very dehydrated... I'm just getting to feel ok now, 3 hours later!
I felt exactly the same last week. I think (because in this cold weather), taking a drink with me for 8 miles is pretty much unnecessary, I seem to have got it in my head that another 2 or 3 miles will be ok too... it's not! Next week I will start taking fuel and water.
Why do I have to learn it all the hard way eh?

So, I've had my salt bath (fabulous on aching limbs!), I'm drinking the taps dry and I've had a tin of tuna, a recovery drink and also just polished off chicken chow mein (well... it was carbs!)
All is well in my world now. :-)