Oh man we better start riding again....good job with following the training plan, I am sure it will work if you follow it. As you know I come from the other side: power but no endurance. Those Nike boys whipped me in shape in the fall. I have been doing some spinning classes to avoid the weather, will see if those work. As for lifting and feeling slow, it is normal, same is for when you run in the fall. Just do it until you want to go faster and don't worry about the first races, as you said the season is way long, especially if you include cross. I would like to be ready for the short track season, like last year and than carry on for cross, in a way be ready later since I fell I was already going down in the last few cross races.
See you soon.
Ciao
Paolo