My road bike isn't exactly a go fast bike. Its a Cannondale Optimo from a while ago and weighs possibly in the 9kg range?

I've been mountain biking on and off for 5 years prior to this, but only started training seriously 6 months ago. Since getting the road bike, the speeds have stayed pretty much 24 to 30km/h the whole time, the only time there was a difference was when my friend helped me tweak the fit, then it just took less effort to keep going at 30. There's a race coming up next May that I really want to do and suddenly, I feel like I've wasted 6 months training with nothing to show for it.

Muirenn, I'm not quite sure what's off. I have a sneaky suspicion that 650CC wheels and a 44cm frame while fitting fine, are a touch too small for me. I've managed fine on 48 to 50cm bikes before but took this one anyway because the ladies who owned it before me were about the same build. Which...probably not the best idea...Hmmmm.