When I was going through both speed building courses when they came out I was up to the 3rd level. Now I went back to review and see how I could play them again .I started at level 2 figuring I'd just warm up there but a no go. I need to start back at level 1. Bummer. Thoughts?
I think you just need to give yourself more time to warm up.
Once you build speed it's there and it's a skill you don't lose -- much like riding a bike.
I've built a considerable amount of speed and facility and I use it fairly often. But if I don't play for a few days, it sometimes takes as much as 15 to 30 minutes to get back to a point at which I can just call upon it as needed.
But it always comes back.
I've also found that after an extended layoff, speed sometimes comes back in pieces and so rather than trying to hit the gas all at once, I try to introduce bits and pieces here and there until I've fully warmed up and all of my muscles are relaxed and ready to go.
And the "relaxed" part is huge.
I play much better by leaps and bounds when I'm relaxed than if I try to force myself to do things.
Don't beat yourself up.
If it was there before it will come back. Just don't try to force it.