And will significantly rob you of power.

For what it's worth, you're already ahead of where I was on my first commute.

My first ride was home from the LBS--0.67 miles at -1% grade (yes, ever so slightly downhill). I had to stop and rest halfway, then needed a nap when I got home. It was about a month before I could ride the two miles to work at one job without stopping to rest. The 3.5 miles to my other job required a rest for at least two months due to the hill crossing.

Nine years later, I live 4.5 miles from work, but I ride 17 miles to work, and 13 home (different routes) simply because I can.

It gets better quickly if you stick with it.