1000x Yes. The first couple of run throughs, talk so slow it's painful. Just drag things out and speak very clearly. Record it and listen, it'll probably be faster than you expect.

Also, try dividing your speech up and using a lap timer - sometimes when you go back to work on rough spots and hit certain sections more than others, it messes with your pacing.

And be relaxed, but enunciate! Auditoriums and microphones are less forgiving on the rounded edges of speech.

This is so true, how many time I found myself speaking nearly two times faster in frond of peoples. Take your time, walk, Look people in the eyes, interact with the audience and

Take your time.