My wife called to check on me. I told her that I was about 100 miles in and still had about 2 hours to go...and I was pretty pooped. She replied, "Well, pace yourself."

If that sounds like nothing more than good cycling advice, then you don't understand "wife-speak". Let me translate. It means, "It doesn't matter how late you get back, but I have plenty to do and don't have time to come and get you. So go as slow as you need to so that you can make it back on your own."