Coming up short on a long run

We're on track for another 50K (who's idea was that, anyway?) and Sunday was a scheduled 22-23 miler.  We met the FTR group at Cavitt and the weather was beautiful. Bruce had dropped off water and his car at Rattlesnake bar. Little did we know that that would be our saving grace! We started off pretty good. I was alittle nervous since the 4 days prior I came down with a horrific GI virus and didn't get alot of food in me part of the week. But I felt pretty decent at the start. I'm not sure when it started to occur, but at some point (maybe around mile 9), I didn't feel so strong and for the first time on a long run, I considered quitting. By mile 10 the 'bail' thoughts were flowing freely in my mind, and I finally verbalized them to Shannon. She was feeling the same way; her foot was bothering her. Visions of Bruce's truck at Rattlesnake were dancing in our heads and we began to chant 'Bruce' to get us through. I started to speed up, fearing that we would miss him and nearly made myself sick. We got to Rattlesnake and found water, but NO BRUCE! So, we unpacked, sat down and rested in the shade. I was so ready to be done with the run.  We then collected our things, mentally geared up to head 12 miles back, knowing there'd be lots of walking. About 10 minutes in, another runner came by and said he had passed our group coming back to Rattlesnake. I have never been SO HAPPY! We high tailed it back to Rattlesnake just in time to meet up with Bruce and the other FTRs going back with him. We were saved by our hero, Bruce!

We piled into the car and were escorted back to our cars. Then we headed to starbucks for a post run latte.

So, for the first time, we bailed on a long run. I have to say I wasn't that disappointed. I think I needed the break and the post run starbucks bonding more than a long run!