You're on a 26 front, 32 rear? That's a hell of a mechanical advantage... I think my touring/road bike that I use for everything will run a 30 front/34 rear and that feels almost difficult to pedal, it's so low gain. Echoing the above: go a gear up if you want to build strength, go longer if you want to build endurance. It all comes, just takes time. This is what I keep telling myself... that, and "I'm faster than my couch."