Thanks, y'all. I appreciate the encouragement.

@Chasm: Honestly, I'm not sure how to "use the time right". I guess it depends on the goal. My goal is simple - get in some kind of shape other than round.

I've been setting short term goals along the way.

1: Make the commute (done).
2: Make the commute and have enough gas left to actually be productive at work (done)
3: Make the commute and have enough gas left when I get home to do something more than lay on the couch and moan (done)
4: Don't coast so much - pedal the whole way there (done)
5: Move on to the next harder gear, rinse and repeat (in progress)

@Myosmith: I've seen significant improvement since I started doing this. It's just a bit of a bummer to look at a retreating rear end while I'm busting my rear end trying to make my commute.

I know that no matter the endeavor, there will always be someone better/faster/stronger/smarter. There's only room for one guy @ the top - and at nearly 50 years of age there's no chance in the world that it'll be me.

However, I do try to maintain a competition w/ myself. I want to be faster than I was last month. I want to be stronger than I was last month. That's why I keep setting small goals for myself. If I see the goal as attainable, then I'll likely keep trying to achieve the goals. As long as I keep trying, I'll likely keep seeing results until my overall goal is achieved.

It's like the wiseguy said. "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!"

Again, thanks, one & all!