EtherealN, thx...   
No, not blocked by firewall (its turned off).   
Not sure if ports are forwared correctly or not. I usually download big files pretty fast, but this IS the first time I have downloaded via torrent.   
I have random port selection enabled in my torrent software.   
Any other ideas? I too have seen post where other are downloading fast, so I figured I must be doing something wrong with the torrent thing.   
P.S. I have a GREEN check mark.