Battery Run Down, NEED HELP!

[Jeff02GAGT]

Ah guys, I am such a MORON! Last night I met up with some friends to goto a movie and then goto a local fair. Well, it was daytime and it was hailing out, so I turned the lights on in my car... I currently have a 2004 Subaru Imprezza WRX STI. Well, I was so worried aobut getting wet when I got out of my car and into my buddies car, that I ended up leaving my lights on.. My lights usually turn on automatically, but due to the weather, I turned them on manually. Anyways, my car sat from abut 6pm till 11pm w/ the lights turned "ON" Anyways, I didn't realize this till my buds were dropping me off. I pushed hte button on the keyless entry to open the car and NOTHING, so then I opened the door manually w/ the key and the NO lights. COMPLETELY dead! Heres the deal. I have an Optima Red Top battery. I've never done anything like this. It actually took a few minutes of charging when we jumped it before it would crank over. I then took the car with a buddy out on the highway. We were doing about 80 - a good 25 mile drive....... I also then drove it on roads where I was going about 55-60 most of the time. The car seems ok now. Starts right up, and the lights are NOT dim anymore. My main concern is, what kind of damage did I do to the Optima battery? Also, how long does it take for the battery to fully recharge? If anyone could let me know how BAD it is on the battery, I would really appreciate it. From what I've read, you can discharge and recharge optima batteries w/out too much harm, but i'm not so sure...

Thanks,
Jeff

[Christopherrr]

I think you're okay Jeff...I know that recharging a completely dead battery isn't good...but you should be okay if it recharged. Don't let it happen again, or the minute you stop the engine she won't crank...no matter how much you try to jump it.