I have always clipped into SPD by hooking the toe of the cleat then stepping down with my ball til it clicks down. takes a lot of practice at first. I quit using them, my son has my shoes AND my SPD pedals on a pair of his bikes. If I ever get back into road bikes, I'd use them for sure, but on my hybrid, I'm wearing walking shoes and using pin pedals.

my favorite walking shoes...

(new balance mw956)

and... my current hybrid pedals.



maybe you shouldn't be spinning quite so fast, just keep around 60-80 pedals/minute and youll be much more in control. keep your weight forward on a steep grade so you're not popping wheelies, and try and hold your body steady and pedal smoothly, you'll waste less energy.