Thanks ladies.

I didn't really have a training plan other than "ride often, ride hills, work up to 60 miles by the last weekend in April." But even that apparently was too much, possibly due to the weather and having to force myself to do longer rides on cold overcast early spring days. And I think I might have a sort of annual "circadian rhythm" when it comes to cycling -- I'm happier putting in the hard efforts during some parts of the year but not at other times. In past years I've felt plenty of pressure and anxiety while training for hard rides in August or September, but I was still able to keep riding into November before it stopped feeling like fun. I think I'm just better suited to a more relaxed, gradual buildup of miles in the spring. So, lesson learned, I will not plan to take on anything too ambitious next spring.

And speaking of ambitious, despite my inactivity over the past few weeks I'm looking at a 60+ mile club ride tomorrow. But I'll be with friends in one of my favorite places to ride, and the weather should be cool but sunny. I do expect my legs to be hurting long before the end, but no mental pressure to push too hard. As it should be!