Not my best day (I just need to whine).

[sgtiger]

Everyone else has already given you wonderful advice. Sometimes you have to give yourself a break both to refresh yourself mentally and physically. Remember that your muscles need time to repair themselves too.

I can totally relate to your experience. I've had a rides like the one you describe. The longest ride I've done so far ended with me bawling the last few miles home. Luckily I was all alone. I was questioning my sanity for wanting to ride and why was I doing this to myself when I could have been comfortably sitting at home. It took a couple of days of moping to get over it. Looking back on it, I think it was kind of a good thing. It quickened my resolve that this IS something I want to do. For me, I don't want to go back to being an unhealthy (physically, mentally, and emotionally) person.

I'm also very slow. So far I've ridden with wonderfully supportive people who are very encouraging. But it doesn't stop me from sometimes feeling bad for keeping everyone else back. I've come to realize that that is my own issue to deal with.

I don't think it's a good idea to compare your progression with your BF or anyone else for that matter. As others have said many, many times on this board: You have to ride your own ride. For me that means doing the best that I can and pushing myself to MY limits, not someone else's.

Also, it helps to think about all that I've accomplished as apposed to my failures. I started out this year with the goal of doing the STP. Well, I hadn't trained adequately enough so I decided to forgo the ride (the right decision for me BTW). I felt so discouraged and spent a couple of weeks depressed for not meeting my goal. Then I started to think about all that I have done this year. I've ridden more this year than the previous 7-8 years combined. My longest ride is 53 miles. A big deal for me. There's also the three days of ~25 hilly (for me) miles in row I did Labor Day weekend. I never would have imagined a few years ago that I was even capable of that. I now feel confidant that I'll be able to meet my goals. Some may just take a bit longer than I thought. I'm still learning how to be patient with my self.

[redrhodie]

Maybe you had a headwind. That can make a hill seem steeper and your speed slower.

Don't get discouraged. You're not the slowest person on a bike. We all get passed sometimes. Ride at your own pace, and try to have fun!

I say go for another ride, but don't ride that hill again for a while. You won't have fun knowing it's coming up. Don't add more miles. Ride a scenic ride that you think is fun.

When bad thoughts come up, focus on your breath and your cadence. Try to spin as effortlessly as you can. Know you're getting stronger.

[indigoiis]

It will make you stronger next time round.
sounds trite, but, it really is true.