I'm not really sure why you were tired in the dream, but perhaps if in your next lucid dream your tired you could try conjuring up some energy pills and taking them, or get an energy drink. You probably felt less tired when doing more things because you were focused on the other things and not being tired, if that makes any sense

Its not really odd to have no dream characters in a dream, its just how the dream rolled out. Next time if you want someone else in your dream try to call them over or picture them around the next corner.

Oh and congrats on your second lucid dream!