Mistakes as I see em:

#1 you wore your work cloths to ride in. This is a big no-no for longer commutes or commutes where it's inevitable you are going to sweat. Try leaving fresh cloths at work along with a washcloth, small towel, deodorant, and any other stuff you use. I use hair foam stuff and a comb. It's no big deal for me to spend a few extra $ having duplicate bathroom supplies that I have at home also in my desk at work.

#2 you pushed too hard at the end of your ride. Definitely check out the other routes... and also remember hey you're on a bike... you don't have to stick to roads and bike paths... maybe there's a better way to work. Also you pushed too hard on the ride.

#3 you didn't leave yourself enough time to cool down and so on.

....

This doens't have to be your first & last shot for commuting. And hey I failed my first commute completely. I left too late (enough time to get to work though) and hit this one road that I had to go down that was so busy with traffic and no extra space to ride beside the lane to even get going enough to join traffic. It sucked. I thought I could never try it again... but I'm going to give it another shot.. leave an hour earlier.. and just get to work earlier while hopefully missing most of the morning rush.

So, IMO... get better prepared and give it another try. You automaticly aren't a wuss in my book... hey you atleast made it to work your first try. I made it half way.. turned back and rode home with enough time to shower and get to work by driving in per usual.