a tough 18

I ran 18 miles this morning, didn't take enough hydration, got lost on a new route and had to be picked up 5 miles from the finish by my wife. Eventful.  The route I picked was 100 percent in the bright sunlight. It was a cool day, but I underestimated my hydration needs. I was sweting, but it was evaporating  pretty quickly.  For the first 14 miles I rationed my water - 24 ounces - and I thought I was doing well. But I started to tire quickly about then,  and realized I had not been hydrating enough. I was off course, but that was a small matter. I knew generally where I was, and I had my GPS-equipped phone , so I wasn't worried.  I figured out that once I was done I'd still be 5 miles from home, so my plan was to call Kay with a half mile to go. She called me a little befoer that, though. While she was driving out, I finished my 18.  By the time we got home I was feeling the effects of dehydration in a big way. I rinsed off in the shower, collapsed on the couch with my feet up, drank Gatorade and water,  and spent an hour recovering.  I recovered pretty quickly and feel fine now, but I definitely pushed myself too far and put a  little scare in everyone here, which I am sorry about.  I did my miles in a little over 3 hours, due to the extra walking I did in the last 4 miles. It all counts, though, and I will be smarter next time.