Bryan,
Stropping should be fun. you want the strop to be taut but not feel like you are pulling the hook out of the wall. the only pressure you need it keep the blade flat. your passed do not need to be at a lightening quick pace but fast enough to keep it interesting. i tend to strop in an "X" pattern even on 3inch wide strops, 20 passes on the linen and 50-60 on the leather... i've been doing this so long (about 30years) though i rarely count just strop until it feels like i have been stropping long enough.
I like the tabac and poraso but i have a large collection of soaps and creams. Tabac gets used once a week though SWMBO loves the scent. with soap i almost always face lather anymore, creams still get the mug treatment.

Concerning speed that will come with time and practice. work on the angle and making sure that your lather is not too dry and that passes will become smoother.

enjoy,
jim