Overconfidence sunk the ship!

Yesterday was my second day of riding.  Last weekend went so well, that I excitedly went to REI's sale and bought biking gloves, windbreaker, and a new shirt.

Steve wanted me to try his old biking loop near his moms house, he warned me it would have hills and it was on a road with cars, but that it was safe.  I figured, I nailed the 14 mile bike path last week with other cyclist, joggers and walkers, I can handle a few hills and cars.  Boy... Was I wrong.  This 12.7 mile loop started with a steep hill climb.  I put my gears to use and even at the "easiest" found myself struggling.  In my head I imagined an old woman with a walker walking faster than me on the bike.  Alas,  we got to the top... But I learned quickly that going downhill was the hard part.  It wasn't hard in the sense physically, but fear and anxiety got the best of me.  I was using the brakes, cars were zooming by, everything about it hit all my senses and my body just about froze.  I met Steve at the bottom of the hill and wanted to cry.  I was scared, tired, and felt ready to quit.  That feeling of fear quickly turned to anger... Towards Steve. How did he think I was ready for this?  How did he think this was a good idea?  Why did he make me do this on my second try?  

Now,  I am no expert on relationships.  Really... Who is?  But I do know in stressful situations people get defensive, people place blame, people have short fuses - that goes for everyone.  Needless to say, an ugly side of Andrea came out.  I should have a name for it... The Hulk is so over played.  But that's what I become.  I become this ugly monster when I am stressed, hungry, anxious, tired, etc., and it's always leaves a path of destruction and hurt feelings.

Don't worry guys... Steve took my monster side in stride, and apologized for picking a bad route, but encouraged me to keep going and that I looked really good.  This of course made me snap back to regular me and feel lousy for becoming the monster.  

Honestly,  I wasn't ready for that route.  But I did it.  And I didn't complain 80% of the time.  We drove over that hill today, and it made me proud that I did it, and I hope to do it again... Just after a lot more practice.

We had a great weekend, more to come!