yeah, then like everyone else said, I'd focus on strength and mitochondrial adaptation which means less z2 and more VO2. The other thing to consider is that this is a sport where years matter. There's no "quick" way to a good threshold. It takes years of applied effort and the meter will slowly tick up. I think though, you can improve faster in the shorter duration efforts you need to be successful, especially in the beginning categories.

You can get enough free coaching out of racer ex to get you to cat 1 if you have the discipline to follow what he suggests.