So that's what was going on...

Seriously, when I first started riding, I commuted to/from work every day (about 5 miles each way) and there are many relatively short, steep grades to overcome. When I'd hit these hills, my leg muscles would instantly fatigue, as if my life force was being sucked away. I always wondered if other cyclists had gone through something similar. My upper legs were always pretty muscular, but the muscles themselves were not especially defined. Now when I walk by the mirror in the bedroom I think out loud, "are those MY guads!?" And then my wife rolls her eyes and tells me I need to do some sit ups.