Keep a big fat cotton ball in your tube patch kit for flats. Running it along the inside of your tire helps you find those tiny metal wires that might otherwise be missed. The cotton ball will snag on anything protruding, no matter how small. I've read journals that describe getting 2 and 3 flats in a row, most likely from a missed thorn/wire. It will also keep the glue, chalk and patches from rattling around in their little box. Repairing a flat should be an organized methodical procedure, all the way to ensuring your quick release is properly tightened and wheel aligned, trying the brakes and freespinning. Pumping the tire up to pressure is best done by counting strokes- my tiny pump requires 170 pumps to achieve the 90lbs I prefer. I pause in 100 meters to spin the wheel and double check myself.