I've been laid up with a particularly nasty flu for about a week now. Finally I feel like I've turned the corner on it and am almost feeling like a person again. Haven't seen a squat rack in days, which makes me sad. If I just have a mild cold I've been known to battle through it and keep working out (sorry gym-goers, those viruses were left there by me, yeah) but if I have a fever I just go into Turtle Mode and hunker down on the couch and watch hockey.
At the start of the year I was doing 5x5 squats at 275 with the feeling I could go heavier. Just before the flu took me out I was doing 315 almost to 5x5 (5,5,5,4,3), with a 1RM around 355 (had to cheat a little but I got the lift). I'd say that's progress. I know what you mean about working to failure. I've heard strength trainers say "you succeed by failing" and I think "cool, how zen is that?"
Been working on rows and shrugs quite a bit too, trying to get away from the straps I got addicted to when I had flexor tendinitis. I lost a lot of grip strength then, but it's coming back.
Closing in on my 8 minute mile too. Best time so far is 8:30. I know that's nothing for normal people but for me that is so freaking huge I can barely believe it. I'm sure I'll have some ground to make up when I finally get over this flu and get back to the iron. Hopefully my body liked the unexpected rest.
Gallon of water a day? Heck, I almost drink that much in milk. 
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