Spot on Andrew, I think the reason I'm getting better and quicker has a lot to do with my attitude and not being afraid to push myself out of my comfort zone, hence my now going out with the A training group, I know its hard, I know that I wont last all the way round or if I do Im hanging on the back for dear life but I believe in myself, I have it in my head that I will get better, that the pain is worth it and every week I'll get that little bit more capable of keeping up.
If I can do it anyone can, I'll be the 1st to admit that mentally Im not that strong a person but I've learnt not to be afraid of failing, it just make me more determined to try again the next week.
As for the legs, Sean, Im sure when I started cycling last november I was in far worse state than you, I'd not done an ounce of exercise for more than 15 years and had smoked like a chimney til last october. My 1st club run I just threw myself in at the deepend and went with the 17's, I barely made it to the cafe as I thought my lungs and legs were going to explode. Crazy, yes, determined, you bet.
I guess this is a message to everyone who is scared of going that little bit further and pushing themselves to hard. Im not trying to preach here, just trying to make the point that you never know what you can achieve unless you really really try. Go on, move up a group this week, you never know, you might like it