You will not regret it. Experience comes on many levels. Run with people who know the sport. Seek out the runners in your area who have experienced both success and failure. Go to running camps.
Camps can offer insights and experiences with other runners from around the country.
The Camp Guide on this website is a great way to research camps that might work for you. As a young runner I gave up a good job and a start at security to train with Bill Rodgers, Joan Samuelson, Greg Meyer, Pete Pfitzinger, and many others. I had no money. I lived wherever I could find a bed. I trained 15 to 20 hours a week.