Eat differently, maybe. A lot of people graze on junk food all day at work.

I think I've had several factors working against me, lately (all of the insightful responses sparked some ideas that had slipped back from my conscious thought).

• I have an ileostomy so my body doesn't absorb as much fluid from my intake as a person who still has a full digestive tract. As a result, it doesn't take much for me to get dehydrated. The summer heat, combined with the unusually high humidity got out ahead of me and I've likely been teetering at the breaking point for the last few weeks.

• I do snack throughout the day. However, it is mostly junk food (I've always been thin and able to get away with this) and I think it's time to treat my eating as fueling.

• I broke several bones in each hand playing soccer, last winter (I play goalie) and decided to take a few months off the field. The lack of fast-twitch muscle exertion might be affecting my overall fitness. So, as mentioned above, I probably need to change up my routine a bit and maybe even mix in some cross-training.

• I've always been a night-owl and functioned on minimal sleep. Now that I'm 40, I think my body is just demanding more rest and need to oblige.

Thanks for all of the input. Good stuff.

My ride in averages about 15mph if I'm lucky, as I'm not a morning person and am sluggish until at least 12:00. Go about 16.8mph on the way home though. Suits me as I don't like to arrive at work too sweaty but don't care getting home.

I fade in the afternoon too. For me, there's little question that it's slightly uphill going home but mostly just that there's a headwind then.

Certainly, make sure you eat something maybe an hour before leaving, but just as important is water. The electrolytes can't swim around without water.