It has gone from sheer terror to apprehension.
I am getting used to them. THe best thing was when someone's dog pulled off his leash. The dog weighed 100 lbs, and was playful, not aggressive, but he was on the trail. so i got off the bike. I don't remember unclipping, but i put the bike between me and the dog just like i always do; so it was INSTINCTIVE.
I'm getting it.
Important; there are two kinds of spd cleats; I got the kind recommended to me by Sheldon brown; the multi-release cleats. THey are better (for me at least) than the other kind

SM-SH56 SPD Gold Multi-Release Cleats

the regular ones are SH51 's