I drank beer.... stamina drain.

Confounding. Confusing. Baffling puzzler.

Your point about beer draining your stamina baffles me. You should probably get that checked. You're probably dying of a brain cloud. ------ As to your question, here's my philosophy: I try to make all of my training runs as useful as I can (barring the occasional stupidity), so I don't do anything to make them unnecessarily painful. I used to think otherwise. I used to do things like intentionally go for a long run after a couple days of no carbs and a whole day of no food, thinking that hey, I'd be strengthening something or other. Or I'd go for a long run and intentionally not drink enough or take any Gu, thinking I was making my body more efficient. This comes up a lot. Some people think I was right back then. Now I think that's bunk -- I think you're a lot better off eating right, drinking right, sleeping right ... and avoiding things like giving blood ... before a hard workout. I think you get the most out of the workout if you put the most into it. I could be wrong and YMMV. But I doubt the extra suffering of running a pint short of blood is worth some minor benefit you might accrue, if there's any at all. Shorter version: I think it makes you feel like crap with no (or no significant) benefit.

JK--Cheryl saw you running yesterday afternoon on her way home from work. She said you looked "focused." I said that maybe you were just constipated. Anyway, just wanted to let you know we were thinking about you.

I hope she's not the one who swerved at me who I subsequently screamed "douchebag" at. That would make sad. Yeah, yesterday's run was suicidally stupid. Old Hickory at rush hour is not the best idea. MTA: nevermind. Bet she came from behind me, unless I'm more geographically confused than usual.