Three things I wish I knew/ wish I understood from the beginning:
What it means to “be intentional with your intensity.” Took me a long time to really understand what that meant.
Plan the work and work the plan. I waited way too long to build an intentional training plan toward target events.
Find another athlete that inspires you. I have admired a number of older racers in my community for many years - some in their 70s - and find inspiration in their continued c enjoyment and participation in our sport.
Learn to distinguish between good fatigue and bad fatigue. Good fatigue goes away after some rest, food and drink, and sleep. Bad fatigue comes on gradually and begins to affect your bones and psyche, your mood and motivations. It’s like a malaise that clouds your thoughts and lingers in the background even after sleep. If you’ve got bad fatigue it’s time to back off and rest / recover for as long as necessary.