fsk8r,
Maintaining speed is carrying out the power necessary to execute the elements from entry to exit. Rushing is the equivalent to "hurry up and finish the element". Rushing throws off timing which is crucial to executing an element properly. For instance, if you rush a footwork sequence you may find yourself with nothing but three turns! However if you focus on maintaining speed, you allow yourself to follow through on each step, thus executing them properly. As for jumps, the take off is crucial to a good jump and if you rush the take off, the timing goes out the window and the jump goes down the drain. Same with spins.
Therefore, the big challenge is maintaining speed throughout a program set to music. The skater needs to really learn the music, be comfortable with the choreography enough to focus on each element without being distracted by the music. Ultimately, learning to be friends with the music! It's a great deal harder than it looks because we want the skater to use the music to his or her advantage instead of just skating through the music. Only the skater is comfortable with the music and the choreography (usually about the same time the skater is bored with the program) will the elements fall into place.