Speed is hard :).

I'm not there, but I've experienced some of the things Christopher talks about, expecially the relaxed part. Anytime that I feel my speed is coming together, it's when I'm relaxed, mainly in my pick grip. My nemesis has been Rush's YYZ. It has slowly gotten better over the past couple of years, but not quite there yet. Granted, it hasn't been a primary focus since there are other things I'm focusing on.

I think it's important to occasionally just jump ahead to full speed and see how it goes. Yes you need to build up the coordination and everything, but you also need to occasionally experience what full speed feels like...or at least a higher speed that you are proficient at. Do like they say in the "Inner Game of Music"...allow yourself to fail, or fake it 'till you make it.

I think just playing the guitar helps too. I've been learning some new songs for an audition so I've been playing more guitar than I normally have been. In doing that, other songs I play have improved.