Realized Improvement

So about this time in February I was training 4-6 hours a day for the swim team. With that over and gone, due to injury, I decided to do bike racing (and eventually triathlons). I had done a bike race before but never trained at the level to become any good.
Well here is the data:
Starting in February (about six months ago) my first ride i could go about 19 MPH for 25 miles. Six months later i did an olympic distance tri and held 23 mph for 25. In six months of training i gained 4 mph for my ave speed. This was even in the middle of a Triathlon and not by itself! I hardly ever get the chance to realize improvement like this. Usually its train, train, train, and see a small imrovement for tons of hard work. This time i trained when i felt like it and i enjoyed it. I think the part where i enjoy the training makes the difference. I think your body knows when training is stupid and leads to injury. It just amazes me that improvement like this can be seen and enjoyed. I hope this can let some of you out there realize that loving what you do and trying your best whole heartedly can really make a difference, and even help your racing.