Hillary - I've been doing it at an insanely fast pace for five years, and I feel like a newbie any time I train with someone good. It's part of the sport, and most of the reward is the dedication required.
Everyone sucks for a long time, everyone has someone who can kick their ass, and everyone gets frustrated. The reward is in your own perseverance. There's no tips, no secrets, just pay attention and train. That's really it.
Excellent point!