The Amira's a great bike! I just helped a male friend buy his first road bike last week, and I was so pleased when we found a good deal on an '11 Tarmac - the male or unisex version of the Amira - and he loved the bike so much that decided to get it. It's a fast, fairly light bike, good at climbing. I have the Specialized Ruby, which I absolutely love, so right now I'm very partial to Specialized. I won't try to talk you out of the Amira, get the bike that gives you joy to ride. Felt makes a nice bike too, but hey, it's the wrong size. So you'd be doing yourself a favor to get a bike that fits.

I'm very good at enabling...

Have you considered other kinds of competitions than just pure racing? Like maybe triathlons - something you could push yourself on and compete, but not as hazardous as road racing. Just a thought.