LT1,
I had the same concerns.
I've trained like hell and I still often get dropped. Don't let me discourage you, you sound a little more focused and have more time than me, so stick with it.
One thing I've found is it's hard to compare your speed while riding alone with your speed while in a group. You'll find, while in a group, you'll be running gears you couldn't touch while alone and this equates to overall speed.
If your experience is anything like mine, you'll be so focused on all the wheels, dodging snot rockets, and the guy who insists on taking off his jacket right in front of you, that the speed will go unoticed.
Good luck!